The three tenors sharing the role of Rodolfo in OperaLancaster's production of "La Boheme," opening tonight at the Roschel Performing Arts Center, all agree the guy wears his heart on his sleeve.

So too does Giacomo Puccini, who wrote the music for "La Boheme."

And that's why it's such a terrific role in such a beloved opera.

"A lot of operas take you out of the drama to sing," says Tommy DeHorney III, who is playing Rodolfo Friday and Saturday. "'La Boheme' doesn't do that. Everything is there live."

"For me it's the music first and foremost," says Konrad Fritz, who plays Rodolfo Sunday evening. "Puccini writes so well for the voice. He just knew how to get that sound of pure emotion."

"Puccini sets it all down for you," adds Steven Williamson, who plays the role at the Saturday and Sunday matinees. "It's very easy to relate to."

Indeed, there is plenty of emotion to go around in "La Boheme."

Based on Henri Murger's loose series of vignettes, "Scenes de la Vie de Boheme," the opera was first performed in 1896 and was immediately popular.

It's the story of a group of students, artists and friends who lived in the Latin Quarter of Paris in the 19th century. Although they barely have enough money to survive, their passion for life is rich.

Rodolfo is a poet, who lives with Marcello, a penniless artist.

On Christmas Eve, when his friends have gone to a cafe, Rodolfo is alone in the garret when Mimi, a seamstress who lives in the same building, knocks on the door. She needs a match to light her candle.

The two fall in love, but Rodolfo is troubled by Mimi's flirtatious ways and eventually abandons her.

Mimi takes up with a wealthy patron, but leaves him. She is dying of consumption and is found wandering the streets of Paris.

She's brought back to the garret and to Rodolfo and the couple recalls their fleeting happiness.

A doctor is called, but ... well, we won't ruin the ending for those who've never seen "La Boheme" before. Just make sure you have plenty of tissues.

"I see Rodolfo as someone who's easily upset, a very emotional person," says DeHorney, who lives in Philadelphia, but is originally from Texas, where he played some college football before deciding to devote himself to music.

His love of opera came thanks, in part, to the popular Three Tenors album.

"I must have worn that thing out," he remembers with a laugh. "I started learning the arias. Pavarotti was my favorite. Everything sounded so passionate and so effortless."

Williamson, who lives in New Jersey, notes that he, too, came to opera a little late.

"I'd been around music since nursery school and opera was always around, but for me it was an acquired taste," he says. "But it got in my soul. I love the spectacle, I love how the audience is under your spell."

Fritz, who teaches music at Manor Middle School and is well known to local opera fans, was torn between studying vocal music, the viola and swimming when he was studying at Temple University.

"The interesting thing was, my vocal coach thought it was good for me to have different interests, but my viola teacher was dead set against it," he recalls.

Williamson and DeHorney cobble together their livings with a variety of music jobs, whether it's an opera like "La Bohème" or a church performance.

"It's definitely not a 9-to-5 existence," says Williamson.

As a teacher, Fritz knows a bit of the 9-to-5 world. But he performs a lot too.

"I sing at weddings, funerals, at churches, but sometimes I make more money playing the viola."

Both Fritz and Williamson have relationships with opera singers.

Williamson met his fiancee in a production of "Carmen," and yes, she was playing the saucy Carmen.

Fritz met his future wife, Ellen, in a production of "Tosca."

"The minute we kissed, that was it," he says with a smile.

As DeHorney listens to his co-Rodolfos talk about their significant others, he laughs.

"My fiancee is the farthest from opera you can be," he says shaking his head. "She works with the deaf."

OperaLancaster's "La Boheme"

Friday at 8

Sat. and Sun. 2 and 8 p.m. $20-$35

Roschel Performing Arts Center

F&M College, 358-4858
www.operalancaster.com