The background to La bohème – or more specifically La bohèmes, and the rivalry between Giacomo Puccini and Ruggero Leoncavallo as they raced to produce their own operatic versions of the story – will be explored in a new play by former Gramophone Editor James Inverne later this year.

Described as a comedy-drama, That Bastard Puccini! will run at London’s Park Theatre from July 10 to August 9 (press night July 15), directed by opera and theatre director Daniel Slater (whose previous credits include Orfeo ed Euridice/Dido & Aeneas at Grange Festival and Making Waves at the Stephen Joseph Theatre).

‘I have long been fascinated by great artists and their artistic processes - what made them great, and how did they get there?,’ says Inverne, who edited Gramophone from 2005-2011, and whose writing since has included the play A Walk With Mr Heifetz.

‘Yet, since we tend to revere our cultural “sacred cows” sometimes we stop thinking about them as real people, with all that goes along with that. Yet the elevation of our - and their - everyday passions, jealousies, fights, sadnesses and joys is what makes for great art. And this little-known true-life story lays that process bare.’ 

For more information and tickets visit the Park Theatre's website.