La Bohème

About this experience

Book La Bohème tickets for the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center and see the world's most popular opera in Franco Zeffirelli's legendary staging, a Met favourite for 45 years. Puccini's story of young artists in Paris returns for five performances from 24 November to 10 December 2026 and six more from 16 to 29 April 2027. With its Christmas Eve café scene, soaring love duets and heartbreaking final act, it is the perfect first opera and a classic you can see again and again. La Bohème: the story On Christmas Eve in a freezing Paris garret, the poet Rodolfo meets his neighbour Mimì when her candle goes out, and they fall in love within minutes. Their friends, the painter Marcello, the musician Schaunard and the philosopher Colline, live hand to mouth, while Marcello's on-off love Musetta steals the show at the Café Momus. As winter passes, poverty and Mimì's illness put their love to the test. Puccini's opera premiered at the Teatro Regio in Turin in 1896 and is set in Paris around 1830. La Bohème cast and production at the Met In November and December 2026, Federica Lombardi sings Mimì and Atalla Ayan sings Rodolfo, with Heidi Stober as Musetta and Lucas Meachem as Marcello, and Marco Armiliato conducts. In April 2027, Daniele Rustioni conducts, with Erika Grimaldi or Ermonela Jaho as Mimì, Arturo Chacón-Cruz or Pene Pati as Rodolfo, Anya Matanovic or Kathryn Lewek as Musetta, and Guriy Gurev or Adam Plachetka as Marcello. Franco Zeffirelli designed and directed the production, with costumes by Peter J. Hall. Its Act II Latin Quarter scene, packed with performers, children and street sellers, is one of the most famous sights at the Met. La Bohème dates, running time and language Remaining performances are on 24 and 28 November and 3, 5 and 10 December 2026, then 16, 17, 22, 24, 25 and 29 April 2027. Evening shows start at 7pm, 7:30pm or 8pm, with matinees on 17 April (1pm) and 25 April (3pm). The Met estimates 3 hours 5 minutes, with two 35-minute intermissions. La Bohème is sung in Italian, with Met Titles in English, German, Spanish or Italian. The Met suggests it for all ages. Best seats and booking La Bohème tickets Pick your date by cast, then choose a level. Grand Tier and Dress Circle centre seats give the best view of Zeffirelli's crowded street scene, while Orchestra seats are closest to the singers in the intimate garret acts. Balcony and Family Circle are the best value. Our Met Opera seating guide compares every section. La Bohème tickets cannot be cancelled or rescheduled once booked, so check your date first. Plan your La Bohème night at the Met La Bohème plays the Metropolitan Opera House at 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, beside the 66 St-Lincoln Center subway station. New to opera? Start with our first-timer's guide to the Met Opera and our La Bohème at the Met guide. Planning a December trip? See Christmas at the Met Opera 2026. You can also book Tosca tickets, Puccini's thriller, or browse all Metropolitan Opera tickets.

Highlights

• The world's most popular opera, and the perfect first opera
• Franco Zeffirelli's famous production, a Met favourite for 45 years
• Federica Lombardi and Atalla Ayan in November and December 2026
• April 2027 casts conducted by Daniele Rustioni
• Suggested for all ages, about 3 hours 5 minutes

Before you go

Venue Metropolitan Opera House, 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023 Dates 24 November to 10 December 2026, and 16 to 29 April 2027 Language Sung in Italian. Met Titles seat-back screens show translations in English, German, Spanish or Italian Estimated running time 3 hours 5 minutes, with two intermissions Arrival The house opens 45 minutes before curtain. Latecomers are seated only at an intermission Casting Met productions play in repertory and casting can change Age guidance Suggested for all ages Getting there 66 St-Lincoln Center station (1 train) is next to Lincoln Center Plaza

Cancellation terms

These tickets cannot be cancelled or rescheduled.