Opera Philadelphia closes its 2022-23 season with a bold staging of Puccini’s “La Bohème” that reverses the order of the famed opera.

Following its premiere at the Detroit Opera, Yuval Sharon will bring his production of Puccini’s most famous work which presents the opera starting with Act four and ending with Act one.

In a statement, Sharon said, “Reordering a performance of ‘La bohème’—to begin with the end and end with the beginning—means working back from devastation towards hope and love. It means listening with fresh ears to a piece that falls often into predictability. Reemerging from the pandemic and returning indoors to see live opera requires all of us to transform our habits, and I believe this is precisely the moment to reexamine our connection to these masterpieces. For those who know La bohème so deeply, this may open a new door to experiencing the work in a new way. And for people who are unfamiliar, it will be a beautiful entry point.”

The opera will be conducted by Music Director Corrado Rovaris and will star British American tenor Joshua Blue in his role debut as Rodolfo and Philadelphia-born soprano Kara Goodrich as Mimì.

They will be joined by Haitian American soprano Melissa Joseph making her company debut as Musetta and baritone Troy Cook as Marcello. Joining the band of bohemians and making their company debuts are baritone Benjamin Taylor as Schaunard and bass Adam Lau as Colline, with bass Frank Mitchell as Alcindoro.

“La Bohème” is set to be presented between April 28 and May 7, 2023.