The legendary German opera director Peter Konwitschny has returned to Bratislava to stage Puccini's La bohème as yet another of his productions at the SND in Bratislava, following Eugene Onegin and Madama Butterfly. Konwitschny's interpretation gives the piece a new shape, comprehensible well beyond the circle of opera professionals. His narrative of the beautiful and sad story of four penniless young men is unsentimental, simple and convincing. The scenes brim with gaiety and – often black – humour which the bohemians use it to cover up their depressions and a sense of futility. Their banter and their loves are, in a way, their struggle for life. Konwitschny's perspective of the characters is pervasive and filled with compassion. In his hands and those of the conductor Friedrich Haider La bohème loses nothing of its beauty, only to gain significantly in dramatic authenticity and force.

Running time: 2 hrs 30 mins with one interval