Opera Australia: La Bohème review [Melbourne 2026]

Opera Australia honours Melbourne with the premiere season of their glossy new production of the world’s favourite opera, La Bohème. Finally retiring the celebrated Gale Edwards’ “Weimar Republic” production of La Bohème (programmed and enjoyed in 13 seasons since 2011), Opera Australia commissions a new production from the next generation of creative talent. Director Constantine Costi leads a terrific team to bring his imaginative vision to life. Set in the early 1900s, this La Bohème plays out in a fantastical Parisian world as visualised by the artistic dreamers and poets that make up the characters. Costi opens the iris on a compact loft where Marcello has a basket rigged up to help paint his mural. Sabrina Myers’ highly theatrical costumes make an instant splash, with Rodolfo in teal and Schaunard arriving in ostentatious pink trousers. Landlord Bemoit is larger than life, his fake wooden leg amusingly exposed along with his predilection for women other than his wife. Modest…

Commenting on Bubbles has been removed. Why? If you want to talk about this post, write to the author, use the comments on their blog if it has them, or reply with a "RE:" post on your own blog. Suggestions? feedback@bubbles.town