#Sydney REVIEW – La Bohème at the Sydney Opera House.
Seeing La Bohème had been on my list for a while, so I treated myself a few weekends ago.
I hadn’t seen an opera since I was a teen in Paris, watching Hippolyte et Aricie at the Opéra Garnier but this was something else!
This production is set in 1930s Berlin and is full of love, art, cold winters, jealousy, and empty pockets. I loved how the two couples played off each other, with one often in the background while the other took the spotlight.
Performed in Italian with English surtitles, it took a moment to adjust. The story, the cast, Julie Lynch’s costumes, and the Café Momus set (gorgeous!) were all so captivating.
Needless to say, I’m officially hooked on opera
Did you know La Bohème’s Puccini’s smash-hit opera inspired Baz Luhrmann’s award-winning film Moulin Rouge and Jonathan Larson’s 1996 smash-hit RENT musical!
La Bohème is on until 20 September. I now can’t wait for RENT the Musical, opening 27 September at the Opera House!
#SelfFunded #OperaAustralia #SydneyOperaHouse #LaBoheme #RENTtheMusical #RENTMusicalAU @operaaustralia @sydneyoperahouse
Photos by @busycitykids and production images by Keith Saunders
Experience the romance of the original bohemian love story
The way first love grabs hold and floods you with something you’ve never felt before. The fire that burns you the first time jealousy flares. The growing up you do in the instant you realise love can’t last forever.
Some emotions are too big for words alone, and for that, we have music. La Bohème is the original bohemian love story – the opera that inspired RENT and Moulin Rouge.
Puccini’s score exposes your soul to the feelings that only music can express. It soars with the ecstasy of love, crackles with the pain of jealousy and cries with the agony of loss.
Gale Edwards’ glittering production, set in the fairy light-filled cabarets of 1930s Berlin, is a long-time favourite of audiences.
Presented by Opera Australia
Event Details:
Dates: 23 August – 20 September 2025
Duration: This performance will run for 2 hours and 15 minutes, with an interval.
Event duration is a guide only and may be subject to change.
Ages: Not provided, please check with venue.
Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied at all times.Location: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Notes: Performed in Italian with English surtitles.
Warnings: This production contains partial nudity.