The hottest ticket on Broadway may be for what has been called the “Hair” of the ’90s, but even “Rent” has its origins rooted in opera.

Giacomo Piccini’s “La Boh‚me” gave inspiration to the current hit, and more than 100 years later, the timeless tale of love and loss still packs theater halls and auditoriums.

It will take hold of Stephens this weekend when the New York City Opera National Company presents Puccini’s “La Boh‚me.”

Set in Paris in the early nineteenth century, “La Boh‚me” is the tragic story of the lives and loves of four impoverished artists: Rodolfo the poet, the sickly seamstress Mimi, the painter Marcello and the flirtatious Musetta whose aria “Quando me’n vo” (When I walk by) is one of the most well known in all of opera.

Rodolfo and Mimi meet and fall in love to the tune of “Che gelida manina” (Your cold little hand) and “Mi chiamano Mimi” (They call me Mimi). But their love soon turns to despair when, doomed by their poverty, Mimi returns to Rodolfo only to die in his arms.

The National Company’s revival of “La Boh‚me” will feature supertitles. While the performers sing the opera in the original Italian, a simultaneous English translation will be projected onto a screen suspended above the stage.

Though they are not literal interpretations, nor do they communicate every line spoken or sung on stage, the supertitles have made the world of opera more inviting to mass audiences.

Likened to “a helpful whisper in the ear from a knowledgeable friend,” the titles paraphrase just enough of what is happening on stage to clarify the events without intruding upon the drama.

Premiering in 1896, “La Boh‚me” is the first in a trio of Puccini’s operas that includes “Tosca” and “Madama Butterfly.” Based on a series of literary sketches by French novelist Henri Murger, “La Boh‚me” took nearly two years to complete.

Collaborating with librettists Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica proved to very rewarding for Puccini. While “Madama Butterfly” was booed at its premiere and “Tosca” was condemned by the critics, “La Boh‚me” was well received from its first performance.

Tickets for Sunday’s performance at 7:30 p.m. are $11, $14 and $16 for Iowa State students. They are available at the Iowa State Center Ticket Office, located in Stephens Auditorium, and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Call 233-1888 to charge by phone.