In what is almost certainly the second-to-last offering of the season, Angela Turner Wilson, the General & Artistic Director of Fort Worth Opera, has opted for one of the most captivating operas in the traditional repertoire: Giacomo Puccini’s 1896 masterpiece, La Bohème.

Scheduled as part of the 2023/2024 season, the opera will grace the stage twice - on Friday, April 5th, and Sunday, April 7th - at Bass Performance Hall.

This selection is quite popular; the Dallas Symphony Orchestra is also presenting it in February 2025. It's a cherished piece among both seasoned opera enthusiasts and newcomers alike. La Bohème narrates the timeless tale of ill-fated lovers Mimi and Rodolfo, set amidst the bohemian atmosphere of Paris - a narrative that has inspired contemporary works such as the 1996 stage musical Rent and films like Moonstruck (1987) and Moulin Rouge (2001).

Wilson articulates the significance of the opera, stating, “With its intricate storyline, relevance to modern times, exquisite period attire, and profoundly moving music, La Bohème encompasses a multitude of elements.” She continues, “People often have preconceived notions about opera, but they're often taken aback when they experience it firsthand. It's akin to a melodramatic saga - filled with love, loss, and gripping excitement.”

According to a press release, the Fort Worth Opera's rendition will be semi-staged, featuring the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya sharing the limelight with the vocalists.

“Our production of La Bohème offers a complete theatrical experience, complete with singers, narrative, splendid period costumes, and fully physical staging, as the performers occupy the entire space, including platforms integrated within the orchestra and surrounding the musicians,” explains Wilson. “While there won’t be elaborate sets or painted scenery, witnessing the live interaction of every performer, including the musicians and conductor, adds a new dimension of theatricality.”

The release also provides fashion tips from Courtney Kennebeck, Director of Development and Special Events. Dressing comfortably is encouraged - jeans are perfectly acceptable!

“You can opt for attire reminiscent of the elegant ladies depicted in HBO’s The Gilded Age, which recounts the spirited inception of the legendary Metropolitan Opera in New York,” she suggests. “Or, if you prefer, attire for optimal comfort, such as your favorite jeans and cozy fleece - though if you fancy pairing those jeans with the crystal-adorned boots you wore to a Taylor Swift concert, that would be splendid too. Opera is akin to a spectacle; there's no such thing as too extravagant.”

Tickets for the remaining shows of the 2023/2024 Fort Worth Opera season, including La Bohème, can be purchased via the Fort Worth Opera website at www.fwopera.org. Prices range from $60 to $210. Additionally, patrons can indulge in private boxes accommodating 6 to 9 individuals, complete with champagne, light refreshments, a photographer session, as well as a Green Room meet & greet with the cast, priced between $2,500 and $4,000.

La Bohème will grace the stage on Friday, April 5th, at 7:30 pm and Sunday, April 7th, at 2 pm at Bass Performance Hall, located at 525 Commerce St. The production will be performed in Italian with English supertitles and includes one intermission. Chuck Hudson will direct, with Miguel Harth-Bedoya conducting the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. The cast features the esteemed Cuban-American soprano Elizabeth Caballero as Mimì and the rising star Alok Kumar as Rodolfo, both making their debuts with the Fort Worth Opera.