Scene da La Vie de Bohème di Henry Murger in quattro quadri
Libretto di Giuseppe Giacosa e Luigi Illica
Premiere Teatro Regio, Torino, 1/2/1896

SYNOPSIS
The opera is set in Paris under the rule of Louis-Philippe I (1830-1848.

Act I
Christmas Eve. In a freezing cold attic flat, the painter Marcello is finishing his painting entitled The Passage of the Red Sea, whilst the poet and writer Rodolpho tries to write an article. Instead of burning a chair in the woodstove, Rodolpho throws the manuscript of his last play into the fire, one act at a time. The philosopher Colline enters, followed shortly afterwards by Schaunard. The latter – a musician – has just earned a tidy sum of money playing for a mad Englishman. He has bought firewood with the money, which allows them to light a real fire in the woodstove. The four men then decide to celebrate Christmas Eve in the Café Momus, an artists’ pub in the Latin Quarter. They are about to leave when Benoit the landlord comes to collect the rent. Marcello forces Benoit to admit that he is having an affair with a young woman. Benoit is forced to give the artists a free month of rent in exchange for their silence.
Marcello, Colline and Schaunard leave for the Café Momus, whilst Rodolpho stays behind to finish his article. As soon as the three friends set off, there is a knock at the door: Mimi, the young and pale neighbour, is seeking a light for her candle. Mimi faints in Rodolpho arms, and he notices how fragile she is. Once Mimi’s candle is lit she tries to leave, but drops her key. They search for the key – which Rodolpho has hidden in his pocket – and the candle goes out once again. Rodolpho holds Mimi’s cold hands, and they speak about themselves. They soon declare their love for one another.

Act II
The same evening. Mimi and Rodolpho join their artist friends at the Café Momus where there is a joyous crowd, with street peddlers of all sorts selling their merchandise. Mimi is overjoyed when Rodolpho buys her a pink bonnet. Musetta comes to the Momus as well, accompanied by the rich Alcindoro, her latest of many conquests. In order to make Marcello – her occasional lover – jealous, Musetta flirts with Alcindoro. She then pretends to have sore feet and sends him off to buy her a new pair of shoes. As soon as Alcindoro leaves, she falls into Marcello’s arms. The six friends depart unnoticed during a military patrol, leaving a steep bill for Alcindoro when he returns.

Act III
A cold dawn in February. Marcello and Musetta work at an inn near the city gates. Mimi is now seriously ill and comes to see Marcello, complaining about Rodolpho’s jealousy: he believes that she has succumbed to a rich viscount who has his eye on her. When Rodolpho visits Marcello, Mimi hides. She hears Rodolpho admit that he is feigning jealousy. In reality, he is worried about Mimi’s poor health and knows that her cold and draughty attic is not a suitable place for her: ‘love is not enough to bring her back to life’, he remarks. He implies that Mimi would be better with the viscount. Mimi appears and the couple decide to wait until spring before separating for health reasons. Musetta arrives and has a heated argument with Marcello whilst Mimi and Rodolpho sing about their love.

Act IV
April. Marcello and Rodolpho are in the attic flat and speak light-heartedly about their former lovers, but it is clear that they are not able to forget Musetta and Mimi. Colline and Schaunard enter and the four friends enjoy a meagre yet convivial meal together. Suddenly, Musetta appears, followed by Mimi, who is dying and has left the viscount in order to spend her final hours with Rodolpho. Musetta pawns her earrings and Colline sells his coat in order to come up with enough money to pay for a doctor and a warm muff. But the help has come too late and Mimi dies.