La bohème is an opera in four acts, composed by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, based on Scènes de la vie de bohème by Henri Murger. The world premiere performance of La bohème was in Turin on February 1, 1896 at the Teatro Regio, conducted by the young Arturo Toscanini; its U.S. premiere took place the following year, 1897, in Los Angeles. Since then, La bohème has become part of the standard Italian opera repertory and is one of the most frequently performed operas worldwide.

Cast:

Rodolfo – Jussi Bjorling

Mimi – Victoria de los Angeles

Marcello – Robert Merrill

Colline – Giorgio Tozzi

Musetta – Lucine Amara

RCA Victor Orchestra and Chorus

Sir Thomas Beecham – conductor

RCA - 1956