Celebrate the holidays with the original RENT — a story of young artists in love, from first blush to dying breath. 

This holiday season, Opera Saratoga invites you to be swept away by the romance, laughter, and heartbreak of Puccini’s timeless masterpiece, “La bohème.” In this special staged concert, the Skidmore Chorus and members of the Excelsior Vocal Ensemble joins forces with the most exciting rising stars from the Juilliard School and the Metropolitan Opera to bring to life the unforgettable arias, soaring ensembles, and rich choral moments that have enchanted audiences for generations. Single tickets available through Proctors starting at noon on Sept 23.  

Set in the bustling streets and candlelit garrets of 19th-century Paris, “La bohème” follows a band of spirited young artists as they navigate friendship, love, and the fleeting beauty of youth. At the heart of the story is the tender romance between the poet Rodolfo and the delicate seamstress Mimì—a love as radiant as it is fragile. Their journey unfolds from a snowy Christmas Eve to the glow of Paris in spring, capturing the joys and sorrows of life with music that will lift your heart and stir your soul.

If the story sounds familiar, it may be because “La bohème” was the direct inspiration for Jonathan Larson’s Tony Award–winning musical “RENT”—proving that the passions, dreams, and struggles of young artists are as powerful today as they were over a century ago.

The cast includes Kayla Stein(The Juilliard School, Aspen Opera) as Mimì, Daniel O’Hearn (Alum of the Lindemann Program, Metropolitan Opera) as Rodolfo, Gregory Feldmann (Opernhaus Zürich) as Marcello , Shelén Hughes (Oper Frankfurt) as Musetta, Joseph Parrish (Salzburg Festspiele) as Schaunard,  Carl Dupont (Opera Saratoga alum) as Colline and Andrew Burger (Excelsior Vocal Ensemble) as Alcindoro. 

This festive concert will be music directed and accompanied on piano by Adam Nielsen and semi-staged by Opera Saratoga’s General and Artistic Director, Mary Birnbaum. The Skidmore Chorus, conducted by Floydd Ricketts and joined by members of the Excelsior Vocal Ensemble (Artistic Director Andrew Burger), rounds out the evening’s radiant sound.

When: 

Friday, December 5, 7pm

Where: 

Universal Preservation Hall 

25 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs 12866

Ticket information: 

Single tickets are available to the public on Sept 23. For tickets visit Opera Saratoga Presents: La bohème - Universal Preservation Hall