By Anna Lin, Minnesota Opera

In appreciation for five decades of generous community support, Minnesota Opera presents three free outdoor concert performances of Puccini’s La bohème as an encore to its 50th anniversary season. These family-friendly events feature the Minnesota Opera Orchestra and Chorus and a cast of opera’s most beloved characters performing the heartwarming love story that inspired the Broadway musical, Rent.

Tenor Harold Meers makes his company debut as the poet Rodolfo opposite soprano Karin Wolverton, last heard in the Pulitzer Prize Award-winning Silent Night, as the seamstress Mimì. Andrew Wilkowske (Silent Night) and Rodolfo Nieto (Hamlet) sing the roles of Rodolfo’s friends, the painter Marcello and the philosopher Colline. Christie Hageman (Turandot) is Musetta and Brad Benoit (Turandot) is Parpignol. Leonardo Vordoni (Lucia di Lammermoor) returns to conduct the Minnesota Opera Orchestra and Chorus.

“Opera under the Stars” – La bohème by composer Giacomo Puccini

• June 14: 7pm Harriet Island Pavilion, Saint Paul
• June 15: 7:30pm Lake Harriet Bandshell, Minneapolis
• June 16: 7pm Shattuck-St. Mary’s School, Faribault

Tickets are free – click here for information