La Bohème, February 9 and 11, 2007 in Knoxville, TN

The classic story of Bohemian artists and lovers as told with Giacomo Puccini’s ravishing music has made La Bohème one of the most popular operas of all time. Arriving just in time for Valentine’s Day, this masterpiece of passionate young love in 1830 Paris takes place Friday, February 9, 2007 (8 p.m.) and Sunday, February 11 (2:30 p.m.) at the Historic Tennessee Theatre on Gay Street in Downtown Knoxville.

The powerful production by Knoxville Opera favorite Carroll Freeman pairs stunning Brazilian soprano Edlyn de Oliveira with Dinyar Vania, last season’s acclaimed tenor in Madama Butterfly and Sposalizio. Rounding out the impressive cast is local favorite Alexandra Wiseman, last season’s compelling Rosabella (The Most Happy Fella) as Musetta, Robert Gardner as Marcello, and UT’s popular “Anthem Man,” Metropolitan Opera bass Andrew Wentzel, as Colline.

As part of Knoxville Opera’s ongoing commitment to “demystify opera” both performances will be presented with projected English translations and include an Opera Preview forty-five minutes prior to the performance by Maestro Salesky with the curtain raised on the set of the opera.

La bohème is a powerful experience for anyone who has been in love – or wanted to be. What better way to treat your valentine this year than to a romantic time of opera!

For further information, please contact Melissa Nance, Director of Marketing, at 865-524-0795, ext. 5.