Puccini’s La bohéme, one of the most popular operas ever, has inspired homages such as Rent, Moulin Rouge and Moonstruck. What can audiences say except they’re suckers for poor hippies and artists making themselves sick, trying to make it in a capitalist hellscape? The plot of this opera (and the copycats) sounds kind of lackluster and dull, but upon a listen, the seduction of Puccini’s command over music (or the visuals of the day, or in this case, the beautiful voices in the company that amplify Puccini) takes over. We weep for the poor, beautiful and often dead lady, every time. Opera San Jose understands the need to collectively grieve the Bohemian vision, even as we distance ourselves from the art that sustains us.
Sat, 7:30pm, $63-$223
California Theatre, San Jose
