Conlon’s last LA Opera begins with work that launched his career

In 1972, at age 21, James Conlon replaced an ailing Thomas Schippers for a Juilliard production of La bohème, at Maria Callas’ recommendation. On September 14, Conlon returns to the beloved work in his final season as music director at the LA Opera, with a Barrie Kosky production fresh from its Komische Oper Berlin unveiling in January 2019. Tenor Saimir Pirgu and soprano Marina Costa-Jackson play the young lovers Rodolfo and Mimi in 1840s Paris. Kosky has draped the show in silvery daguerrotype images that were the photographic rage in the day. (His take on The Magic Flute will also be revived for the LA season.)