The audience will be moved to tears by the tragic story of Mimi and her Rodolfo when Michigan State University’s College of Music brings Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème to East Lansing next month.

More then 50 members of the MSU Symphony Orchestra, with guest conductor Daniel Beckwith, will join the opera company of 60 singers, including members of the MSU’s Children Choir, in three productions of this often-performed opera in the newly renovated Fairchild Theatre, April 4 and 5 at 8:00 p.m. and April 6 at 3:00 p.m. Melanie Helton, director of MSU Opera Theatre and professor of voice, is stage director.

Sung in Italian with English surtitles, La Bohème tells the story of young bohemians living in the Latin Quarter of Paris in the 1840s. Puccini’s moving story of young love tells the tale between frail Mimi and her passionate lover, Rodolfo.

“This production of La Bohème has professional costumes and a gorgeous set that was designed by MSU Department of Theatre chair Kirk Domer,” says Helton. “La Bohème is a great ‘starter’ opera for audiences of all ages. The singers are the exact same age as their characters, as well as being struggling artists. The style of the opera is completely naturalistic, and the characters immediately recognizable.”

Helton will preview the show 45 minutes before each performance.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $5 for students, and are available from the College of Music box office – in person at the Music Building, Room 102, 333 W. Circle Drive, or over the phone at (517) 353-5340 – online at music.msu.edu, or at the door one hour before the show