The Atlanta Opera will perform Puccini’s classic tale ‘La Bohème’ at 7:30 pm on Friday, January 21, 2011 at The Plaza Arts Center. Originally planned as a ‘Night at the Opera’, the opera company is instead presenting an 80-minute abridged version of the full score in English rather than its natural Italian dialect.

Dennis Hanthorn, Zurich General Director for the Opera explained that they are expanding their shows beyond the Metro area and Eatonton is among the first stops for this program.  The troop will perform in Brunswick on Saturday.  “This is an outreach we have been working on for a long time and are excited to expand our horizons and audience.”  Lydia Ivanditti, Director of The Plaza Arts Center expressed her enthusiasm for the program by saying, “How wonderful for us to host the Atlanta Opera.   It’s consistent with the full spectrum and caliber of live performances offered in the region.”

The story is set in Paris in the period around 1830 and essentially focuses on the love between the seamstress called Mimì and the poet Rodolfo. They almost immediately fall in love with each other, but Rodolfo later wants to leave Mimì because of her flirtatious behavior. However, Mimì also happens to be mortally ill, and Rodolfo also feels guilt, since their life together likely had worsened her health even further. They reunite for a brief moment at the end before Mimì dies.  The story has been re-told in modern day as the musical ‘Rent’ on Broadway.

Tickets are reasonably priced at $36, $27 and $15 and are available through The Plaza’s website.  “It was our objective to make it an easy decision for opera lovers yet make it affordable for those who have never experienced the opera,” said Ivanditti.  “It will be a world class performance,” she continued.

The Plaza Arts Center opened in March 2008 and, since then, has served over 60,000 guests to the Center and has hosted prominent performers including The Five Browns, the Washington DC Ballet, John Berry, Clarence Carter, Manhattan String Quartet, the Vienna Boys Choir, the ASO Brass Quintet, the Swingin’ Medallions and Ricky Nelson Remembered with his twin sons, Matthew and Gunnar.

For more information visit www.theplazaartscenter.com or call (706) 923-1655.