The mastermind behind the effort to bring opera back to Orange County after the unfortunate loss of Opera Pacific two years ago is Maestro St.Clair, whose stellar reputation as an opera conductor in Europe sets the ideal stage for such a venture. St.Clair recently concluded his tenure as general music director and chief conductor of the German National Theater and Staatskapelle (GNTS) in Weimar, Germany, where he recently led Wagner’s “Ring Cycle” to great critical acclaim.

St.Clair was the first non–European to hold his position at the GNTS; the role also gave him the distinction of simultaneously leading one of the newest orchestras in America and one of the oldest orchestras in Europe. He has also served as general music director of the Komische Oper Berlin.

“La Bohème” takes place Thursday, April 19; Saturday, April 21; and Tuesday, April 24, at 8 p.m., in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.