By JEREMY EICHLER [NY Times, 24 September 2005]

Three days after opening its new season, the Metropolitan Opera wheeled out its popular production of "La Bohème" on Thursday night. It was the 1,166th performance of the work in the Met's history. That is a staggeringly high number, but then again, "Bohème" has become more than just one opera among others - it is a kind of ritual, an anthem. It is as if the season hasn't really begun until the consumptive lady sings.