A highlight of the summer, Britain’s leading outdoor touring company, Opera Brava, present La Bohème by Puccini, performed with a chamber ensemble against the magical backdrop of the Elizabethan Mansion House. Set in Paris in the 1830s among a group of impoverished Bohemians, the opera centers around the tragic love affair between the seamstress Mimi and Rodolfo, a poet. Frivolity, joy, tenderness and sorrow are all expressed in the wonderful music of this most treasured of operas. La Bohème is a masterpiece and is undoubtedly Puccini’s finest score. The national and international cast are sensational and bring out the heart of Puccini’s magnificent score in an evening of high-quality entertainment that should not be missed. Performance Information Entry The performance will take place on the South Lawn. Access will be through the Visitor Reception, located at the top of the drive. Gates open at 6.30pm. The performance begins at 7.30pm. Parking Please park in the visitor car park. The opera will take place on the South Lawn, approximately 100m from the car park. Cars may not be left in the car park overnight. Accessible Parking The car park surface is gravelled with designated spaces for blue badge holders located close to the Garden entrance. Refreshments & Picnics Guests are welcome to bring picnics. A selection of barista coffee, loose leaf tea, soft drinks, wine and snacks will be available for purchase from The Gardeners’ Retreat café adjacent to the performance area. Toilets Toilets, including an accessible toilet, are located at the reception building and the Biomass building. Dress Code This event will go ahead regardless of the weather, please come dressed appropriately. Umbrellas will be permitted. Seating Please bring your own low-back chairs as seating will not be provided. Gazebos are not permitted. No Smoking is permitted within the Garden No photography is allowed during the performance Pre-book a Picnic for 2 – £40 Make the evening extra special by pre-booking a picnic for 2 people for £40. The picnic will be ready for collection from The Gardeners’ Retreat Café when the gates open at 6.30pm and includes cutlery, napkins, plates and cups. The picnic is available to book as an optional extra during the booking process and does not include performance tickets.