La bohème

If you've ever seen Rent, you'll probably recognize the plot of the Italian opera it was based on. In La bohème, four young Bohemians living in Paris struggle to pay the rent as they make art, fall in love and quarrel with one another. Giacomo Puccini's is one of the most popular operas (and a great place for first-time opera-goers to start) thanks to the identifiable narrative about being young and broke. Produced in collaboration with London’s Royal Opera House-Covent Garden and Teatro Real Madrid, this classic production kicks off the Lyric's latest season before returning to the stage in January.