La Bohème at the Pittsburgh Opera

Written by Arlo Grey MacFarland

This October, the Pittsburgh Opera presents its production of La Bohème, the 1895 opera written by Italian composer Giacomo Puccini.  Located at the Benedum Center, this opera is sure to move you during your next night out on the town.

A late-Victorian take on classical Italian opera, La Bohème has become a classic in opera repertoire. Originally based on a 1951 novel written by Henri Murger, it was adapted into an opera for theatrical audiences, following the story of four starving artists in 1830s Paris.

“When Rodolfo, a poet, and Mimì, a young seamstress, meet, the two are drawn into a tumultuous and passionate affair with a love that can only be broken by death. La Bohème will make you laugh, and bring you to tears, with its timeless story and captivating music,” writes the Cultural Trust.

La Bohème encompasses everything opera seeks to offer, from joy to lament to catharsis, and with such talented actors performing, you’ll be pulled right into the story.

As an idea for a night out, one may choose to get dinner at a renowned cultural district restaurant such as Meat & Potatoes or Gaucho Parrilla Argentina, or get drinks at Olive or Twist or Con Alma.  After lounging and socialising with some delicious food, head over to the Benedum Center for an amazing show by the Pittsburgh Opera. Or, if you prefer to get drinks after the show, there are late-night options such as Bae Bae’s on Liberty Ave. The possibilities are endless.

In general, La Bohème will surely have you engaged in the story, and crying by the end.  A beautifully tragic story, this show deserves its flowers. Tickets are available for purchase here, with performances on October 18, 21, 24 and 26, 2025.