La Bohème

The most-performed work in Met history, Puccini’s timeless tale of young love and loss has never failed to win the hearts of audiences—while also moving them to tears. In this radio broadcast from the 2019–20 season, an all-star cast takes the stage as the opera’s band of bohemian friends and lovers. Soprano Ailyn Pérez is the fragile yet passionate seamstress Mimì, opposite tenor Matthew Polenzani in his 40th role with the company, the ardent poet Rodolfo. Soprano Olga Kulchynska and baritone David Bižić go head to head as the on-again-off-again pair Musetta and Marcello, with baritone Andrey Zhilikhovsky and bass Jongmin Park rounding out the principal cast as Schaunard and Colline, respectively. Bass-baritone Arthur Woodley does double duty, portraying both Benoit and Alcindoro, with veteran conductor Marco Armiliato presiding from the orchestra pit.