Production 1 (March 1998)

Giacomo Puccini's La Bohème, the libretto for which was completed by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica after Henri Murger's Scènes de la Vie de Bohème, premiered in Turin at the Teatro Regio on the first of February, 1896.

Composers

ACT I

The students' attic
Rodolfo, the poet, gazes out of the window to the roofs of Paris, glittering with frost. Marcello, the painter, is working on a picture. Rodolfo remarks on the smoke of the Paris chimneys - he and Marcello having nothing with which to light a fire. They finally agree to use one of Rodolfo's manuscripts as fuel for the stove. Colline, the philosopher, comes in, and the three of them warm themselves, commenting on the sparkling phrases and brilliant colours of the manuscript. As the fire flickers and dies there is a shout and Schaunard, the musician, bustles in carrying food and wine. He has earned some money but as it is Christmas Eve, they store the food and go out to dine instead. Rodolfo stays behind to complete an article he is writing. He is interrupted by Mimi, a seamstress, begging a light for her candle. She drops her key in the dark in the midst of a fainting spell. He helps her recover with a splash of water and a drop of wine. He then helps her look for the key, pocketing it when he finds it and not telling her; their hands meet, and they fall in love.

ACT II

Outside the Café Momus
Rodolfo introduces Mimi to his friends. Musetta, Marcello's first and only love, arrives on the arm of Alcindoro, an elderly, wealthy admirer. She sees Marcello and deciding on some fun at his expense she sings a song in praise of trivial love. The reaction from Marcello leads to a reconciliation.

She dispenses with Alcindoro on an errand and is reunited with Marcello and the Bohemians. They depart, leaving the bill to Alcindoro.


ACT III

Early on a bitterly cold morning in February, Mimi, a fragile figure shaken with coughing, seeks help from Marcello who is in the tavern Barrière d'Enfer. Realising that Rodolfo is inside, she will not enter. Marcello suggests Mimi return home, but as Rodolfo comes out of the tavern, Mimi hides. Rodolfo accuses Mimi of being fickle and heartless but finally admits his real fear, that she is desperately ill and his poverty can only hasten her death. A cough betrays Mimi and Rodolfo rushes to embrace her. Meanwhile, Marcello and Musetta begin quarelling over Musetta's flirtations. Rodolfo and Mimi re-kindle their love with the memory of past happiness and postpone their separation for the duration of the winter.


ACT IV

The students' attic
Rodolfo and Marcello are working but not concentrating - they drift into reminiscences of their loves. Schaunard and Colline come in to cheer them up and the four proceed to dance and play the fool, but the levity is forced. The door bursts open and Musetta brings in Mimi who is in a state of collapse. The men carry her in and lie her on the bed. Musetta leaves to pawn her earrings for a muff, and Colline to sell his overcoat to buy medicine for Mimi. Alone, Rodolfo and Mimi confirm their undying love for each other. As the others return, Schaunard sees that Mimi has died and motions to the others - as Rodolfo realises the truth, he is overcome with grief, crying out her name, in vain.