Sarasota Opera presents Puccini's 'La Boheme'

The Sarasota Opera is starting its fall season with one of the most popular operas ever created.

Giacomo Puccini's "La Boheme" is one of those operas that even people who don't know much about opera know something about. It has several instantly recognizable melodies -- most notably, "Musetta's Waltz," which was adapted into the Della Reese pop hit "Don't You Know" -- and its story and some of its characters were used as the basis for the mega-hit musical "Rent." (It's actually just a small bit of the plot of "La Boheme" that is used in "Rent," but the musical has references to the opera throughout.)

It's known as a tragic and romantic opera, thanks to the story line about lovers Rodolfo and Mimi, but it's full of moments of comedy and spectacle.

The Sarasota Opera production is directed by Stephanie Sundine, and Victor DeRenzi conducts the orchestra. Soprano Jessica Rose Cambio and tenor Martín Nusspaumer, who are both enjoying international careers, make their company debuts as Mimì and Rodolfo. Soprano Angela Mortellaro (Sarasota Opera's "Die Fledermaus" and "Hansel and Gretel") returns to sing the role of Musetta and baritone Craig Irvin, also making his company debut, will sing Marcello.

It's performed in Italian with English translations in supertitles.

Details: Oct. 30-Nov. 17, Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. Show times: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30, and Nov. 4, 10 12, and 17; 1:30 p.m. Nov. 1 and 15. Tickets: $19-$135. Information: 941-328-1300, sarasotaopera.org.

-- Marty Clear

This story was originally published October 28, 2015 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Sarasota Opera presents Puccini's 'La Boheme' ."