Mumbai, Jan 11 (IANS): For the first time in India, Mumbai's National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) and Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) will revisit Giacomo Puccinis beloved opera "La Bohème" in the Spring 2017 Season of the latter's concert, scheduled to take place between January 30 and February 11 at Jamshed Bhabha Theatre here.

Giacomo Puccini was one of the greatest Italian opera composers and his 1896 opera "La Bohème" divided into four acts is one of the most frequently performed operas worldwide. 

Featuring an international star cast, "La Bohème Revisited" will be led by SOI's associate music director Zane Dalal and renowned conductor Carlo Rizzi, who also conducts "La Bohème" at the Metropolitan Opera, New York.

"After the resounding success of the 10th anniversary season of the SOI, we are proud to present yet another exciting programme this spring. We have always prided ourselves on the illustrious talent we have been able to showcase with our orchestra. This season, opera fans will be able to witness an innovative new production of one of the best-known operas La Bohème, titled La Bohème Revisited. 

"We are delighted to have some of the biggest names performing with the SOI, including conductor Carlo Rizzi, soprano Maria José Siri, and mezzo-soprano Kai Rüütel. And we are thrilled to welcome back Simon O'Neill, among the finest helden-tenors on the international stage, for yet another season," said Khushroo N. Suntook, NCPA Chairman and founder of SOI.

The season will open with Carlo Rizzi's debut concert with the SOI, and will lead Beethoven's Symphony No.5, arguably one of the best known symphonic works, and regarded by Hoffmann as "one of the most important works of all time".