For years, Dr. Francisco Cano has wanted to perform the Gioacomo Puccini's opera "La Boheme."

It looks like he will finally get his wish when Valley Lyric Opera and Youngstown Opera Guild sing a concert version Friday in Sharon.

Cano, founder of Valley Lyric Opera, tried to stage it several years ago, but the production fell apart. It almost did this time, too.

In recent weeks, two pianists quit and two singers abandoned key roles, but organizers were able to fill the holes quickly with seasoned musicians.

Dr. Cano credited the little angel on his shoulder that things worked out in producing an opera that comes loaded with complications.

"It was so hard to put together because the music is so difficult and requires so many people that I never thought we would ever come up with all the people," Cano said.

While the music, which was featured in the film "Moonstruck," has its own challenges for the singers, the hardest part in staging "La Boheme" is getting the many elements working together, Cano said.

"The second act is a nightmare," he said. "You have children's choir, adult choir, about 12 soloists, and the music is very, very fast. Individually, it's not as hard as '(Madame) Butterfly.' But, as far as teamwork, it is very difficult because it all has to come together."

The play is heavy on male roles, and Cano and Dr. Allan Mosher, associate professor of music at Youngstown State University and president of the guild, were able to pull together enough singers.

But it was the addition of director John Simsic that made "La Boheme" possible, Cano said.

"When we did 'Butterfly' and 'Tosca,' it was a nice thing to have a director; however, we could have done it without one," he said. "This, there's no way in the world you can put together that many things without somebody conducting. This guy, John Simsic, he has been wonderful. He loves opera very much."

Simsic conducts the Warren Chamber Orchestra, is chorus master and assistant conductor of Youngstown Symphony, musical director of YSU Theater and directs the Seraphim Choir, which also will perform in "La Boheme."

The story is set in 1830s Paris, where a group of male artists share the hardships of poverty and party away the occasional windfall. But the opera revolves around their relationships with women.

"It's all about love," said Cano, who will sing the role of Rodolfo, a poet.

Rodolfo falls in love with Mimi (played by Jennifer Davis Jones), but their relationship is torn apart by his jealousy. The painter Marcello (Mosher) reunites with former lover Musetta (Amanda Beagle), then they part in anger again.

As with most great opera, death isn't far away. In "La Boheme," Mimi is dying, which brings forth the selflessness of Musetta and the philosopher Colline (David Keith Stiver), who sell personal possessions to buy medicine for her.

Hyun-Jin Kim, Craig Carson and Michael Cervone also have roles, and will be joined by the YSU-Dana School of Music Opera Workshop, the Children's Chorus of Austintown (Ohio) Middle School, which Carson directs, and pianist Paula Kubik.

Cano admitted he always ends up in tears when he hears the opera, a complication he will have to try to fight off when he sings Rodolfo.

Cano also acknowledged he didn't like "La Boheme" when he first heard it as a teen. What changed his opinion was the dialogue.

"There are some big parts of the opera that it's important to understand the dialogue," he said. "If you don't, you're not going to enjoy it as much. That text comes first, then the music."

The opera will be sung in Italian.

Friday's concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, Sharon. Admission is free; donations will be accepted.

A concert also will be presented at 2 p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church, Youngstown. There will be an admission charge and tickets can be bought at the door.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Joe Pinchot at jpinchot@sharonherald.com