The premise seems simple: take a beloved, classic opera and perform it backward. But the execution, it turns out, offers an entirely new experience. Detroit Opera on April 2, 6 and 10 will present Giacomo Puccini’s “La Bohème” as it’s never been seen before — beginning with the final scene and working backward, ending with the first scene.

It’s a clever, emotionally intelligent examination that’s more than just a gimmick, delivering new challenges to the performers and new views of character and conflict to the audience. The Detroit production, conducted by Roberto Kalb, celebrates two milestones for the organization.