The original script for La Boheme, a story of young artists' loves, triumphs and tragedies was set in 1830s Paris, France. It was based on a set of stories by Henri Murger titled "Scenes de la Vie de la Boheme."

The UK performance is set in World War II France just after the liberation of Paris. The latter setting provides more of an appeal to younger audiences, says UK Director of Opera Everett McCorvey.

McCorvey says UK's "La Boheme" will definitely appeal to younger audiences because it is being performed and sung by "a young student cast of members that is as attractive and talented as you would find on the sets of any of today's popular TV series such as Beverly Hills 90210. "

McCorvey said opera-goers who are also movie fans will recognize much of the music in "La Boheme" because it was the theme music for the popular movie "Moonstruck" starring Cher and Nicholas Cage. The opera also was the inspiration for the smash hit Broadway musical "Rent."

The story of La Boheme is the epitome of young starving artists whose lifestyles and escapades gave us the Bohemian genre. A notion of the poverty in which they are developing their artistic talents is evident from the very first scene as painter Marcello and poet Rodolfo try to keep warm by burning pages from Rodolfo's latest drama.

 Like last opera season's "Cosi Fan Tutte," "La Boheme" has been double-cast to showcase as many of UK's talented singers as possible, says guest director Judith Auer.

The student characters and their hometowns are:

--Rodolfo, a poet (tenor), Justin Vickers, Danville, Illinois, and

Jon Burton, Portsmouth, Ohio;

--Colline, a philosopher (baritone), Bailey Hale, Lebanon, N.H.

--Schaunard, a musician (baritone), Michael Turay, Milwaukee, Wis., and Corey Crider, Marion, Ky.;

--Benoit, a landlord (bass), Scott Hiner, Lexington, Ky.;

--Mimi, a girl who lives in the same building as the artists (soprano), Jennifer Coleman, Urbana, Ill., and Kim Venhuizen, Nashville, Tenn.;

--Parpignol, a toy seller (tenor), Phumzile Sojola, Bronx, N.Y.;

--Marcello, a painter (baritone), Mark Whatley, Nashville, Tenn.;

--Alcindoro, a councillor of state (bass) Scott Hiner, and

--Musetta, an attractive young woman (soprano), Melissa Groseclose, Independence, Ky., and Reshma Shetty, Richmond, Va.

La Boheme is the first in a series of operas the UK School of Music will present this year. The others are "The Tender Land" by Aaron Copland, Nov. 19-20, to be presented in UK's Memorial Hall, and "Amahl and the Night Visitors" by Menotti, Dec. 4-5 and Dec. 11-12, Lexington Central Library Theatre.

Tickets are $10 for students and $18 and $15 each for the general public. VIP tickets are $50 for the Friday, Oct. 22, performance which includes a reception with the cast. Regular ticket prices also are available for the Oct. 22 performance. For information, call the Singletary Center for the Arts Ticket Office at 257-4929.

More information about the story of "La Boheme" can be obtained by clicking here.  The UK Opera Theatre's Web site can be accessed here.