La Bohème

Opera in Four Pictures (1896) by Giacomo Puccini, with text by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica based on Henri Murger La Bohème On a cold Christmas Eve in a Parisian attic, the poet Rodolfo and the painter Marcello are struggling to finish their work. Rodolfo sacrifices his latest drama for a brief fire in the stove. Their friend Colline, a philosopher, joins them. He has unsuccessfully tried to sell his books on Christmas Day at a pawn shop. Soon Schaunard arrives with food, wine, wood, and money, which he earned from an unusual job: playing music to kill a parrot for a snobbish Englishman. The money is still on the table when Benoît, the landlord, unexpectedly comes to collect overdue rent. The four artists get him drunk and manage to evade him without paying. They decide to spend Christmas Eve at Café Momus. Rodolfo stays behind to finish a newspaper article. Suddenly, there is a knock: Mimì, a neighbor, asks for fire for her extinguished candle. She drops her key, and both search for it in the darkness. Rodolfo ensures she doesn't find it too quickly. They come closer and fall in love. When their friends call from below for Rodolfo, the new couple leaves with them for Café Momus. Café Momus New Year's Eve chaos in the Latin Quarter. Street vendors sell their wares, and Parpignol, the toy seller, barely manages to escape the onslaught of children. The four Bohemians distribute their money among the crowd; Rodolfo buys a hat for Mimì. Eventually, everyone gathers for dinner at Café Momus, where Musetta, Marcello's former lover, arrives with her new wealthy suitor, Alcindoro. Marcello is jealous, and Musetta provokes him, sending Alcindoro on an errand to return to Marcello. The two couples, Colline and Schaunard, leave happily. When Alcindoro returns, he must pay the bill for everyone. February Morning at the City Edge Marcello works as a cabaret painter on the city edge, where Musetta also performs as a singer. Mimì wants to talk about Rodolfo's unfounded jealousy. Marcello advises her to separate. When Rodolfo arrives, Mimì hides and listens to Rodolfo's true motives: He feels unable to care for the sick Mimì. Mimì leaves her hiding place. Rodolfo and she decide to stay together until the end of winter.