La Bohème

Act I
A garret in the Latin Quarter of Paris. Rodolfo and Marcello, a writer and a painter, are trying to work but in vain. They are starving and freezing in their garret, but they never lose their sense of humour. In order to keep warm, they burn a Rodolfo’s manuscript. Colline, a philosopher, enters. He is shivering.
Schaunard, a musician, arrives with food, firewood, wine, cigars, and money. The friends cheer up. The landlord Benoît comes to collect the overdue rent, but the four Bohemians skilfully avoid paying him. Marcello, Colline, and Schaunard leave for Café Momus, and Rodolfo promises to join them in a while, after he finishes a newspaper article.
Shy knock on the door is heard. It is Mimì. She lives nearby and has come to ask for some matches; her candle has blown out. Rodolfo is enchanted with the girl. Mimì thanks Rodolfo and leaves, but returns a few seconds later, saying she has lost her key. Mimì tells Rodolfo of her decent and lonely lifestyle; her story moves Rodolfo deeply. They confess their love for each other. On hearing their friends’ voices, they decide to go off and join the others at the café.

Act II
The Latin Quarter. The group is together amidst a huge crowd that has gathered on Christmas Eve. As the men and Mimì dine at the café, Musetta, formerly Marcello’s sweetheart, arrives with her new admirer, rich Alcindoro. Musetta has left Marcello as she has had enough of the Bohemian lifestyle, but she is still in love with him. She tries to reclaim Marcello’s attention, but he does not seem to notice her, and Musetta is burning with anger. To get rid of Alcindoro, Musetta invents a motive to send him off and hugs Marcello. A waiter brings the bill. Schaunard finds out that there is no money left. Musetta finds the solution: all the charges are put on Alcindoro’s bill.

Act III
In front of an inn on the outskirts of Paris. Early morning. Cheerful voices and Musetta’s laugh are heard from the inside of the inn. Mimì has come to see Marcello and tell him of Rodolfo’s jealousy that makes her life unbearable. She coughs all the time. On seeing Rodolfo, she hides and overhears Rodolfo complaining to Marcello about her coquettishness. Finally, Rodolfo, however, confesses that he fears she is slowly being consumed by a deadly illness. Rodolfo, in his poverty, can do little to help Mimì and hopes that his pretended unkindness will inspire her to seek a suitor who can support her. Mimì’s sobs and coughs reveal her presence. Rodolfo tries to console her, but now, when she knows his secret, she insists on parting. Mimì and Rodolfo have a moving farewell. The happiness of Marcello and Musetta has also come to an end. The couple quarrels fiercely: Marcello blames her for her coquettishness and they break up.

Act IV
The garret. Several months have passed. Rodolfo and Marcello are trying to work. They talk about their loved ones. Suddenly Musetta arrives; Mimì has also come, but she is too weak to get to the garret. The friends bring Mimì in. It is still cold in the garret. Musetta and Marcello leave to sell Musetta’s earrings in order to buy some food and invite a doctor. Left alone, Mimì and Rodolfo recall their first encounter. The Bohemian company returns with a muff to warm Mimì’s hands and some medicine. Mimì takes the muff and falls asleep. Rodolfo curtains the window not to disturb Mimì, but his sweetheart is already dead.