Opera North: La bohème at Lowry

Opera North bring a rich mix of productions to Lowry this autumn, spanning classic, contemporary and family-friendly opera. Puccini’s La bohème arrives alongside Handel’s Susanna, reimagined in collaboration with Phoenix Dance Theatre, and The Big Opera Mystery, a fast-paced new adventure for families with children aged 5-12 years. Together, they show Opera North’s range – from great masterpieces of the repertoire to bold, socially engaged work and accessible introductions for families.

At the centre of the season is La bohème, reimagined in an exciting production that relocates Puccini’s enduring tale of love, friendship and loss to 1950s Paris. When the poet Rodolfo meets Mimì, the quiet seamstress who lives upstairs, their connection is instant. But their lives are precarious – the garret is cold, money is scarce, and dreams can’t always keep out the harshness of reality. With both comedy and tragedy in play, the story charts a fragile and heartfelt romance. This is a story that will resonate with anyone who has ever been young, in love and unsure of the future.

This acclaimed staging by Phyllida Lloyd – one of Britain’s leading directors, best known for Mamma Mia! and The Iron Lady – has been hailed as “unmatched” by The Guardian. It combines the evocative detail of 1950s Paris with an emotional directness that lets Puccini’s music shine. From Rodolfo and Mimì’s soaring first duet to the heart-stopping final act, the score is filled with arias and ensembles that have defined the sound of romantic opera. Performed live by the Orchestra of Opera North, the production unleashes all the passion and lyricism that have made La bohème one of the most loved operas of all time.

Opera North bring a brilliant autumn season to Lowry. With La bohème, Susanna and The Big Opera Mystery on stage this November, Salford audiences can encounter opera in all its forms: grand and tragic, bold and contemporary, playful and family-friendly. It’s a season that confirms Opera North as one of the UK’s most imaginative companies – and Lowry as the perfect host for their work in the North West. And for first-timers, Opera North’s New to Opera scheme offers great seats for just £20, making this the perfect moment to give opera a try.