LA BOHÈME 

ACT I - In the garret
Marcello, a painter, works on his canvas while Rodolfo, a poet, looks out the window. Rodolfo decides to burn the manuscript of his play to heat the room. The philosopher Colline arrives, soon followed by Schaunard, a musician and the fourth inhabitant of the garret. He has food, money, and wood, but he tells his friends to save the food for another time. Tonight is Christmas Eve, and he insists they dine out. The apartment erupts into turmoil when Benoit, the landlord, demands the rent. He is coaxed by Marcello into talking about his amorous adventures. With mock indignation, the bohemians condemn Benoit's marital infidelity and usher the landlord away without paying him. As his friends are leaving Rodolfo decides to finish writing an article before joining them. Unable to write, Rodolfo answers a knock at the door. A young woman asks to have her candle relit but faints once inside the garret. After Rodolfo revives her, they are forced to search in the dark for her lost key after both their candles go out. The poet finds the key but convinces the woman he has not and gently touches her hand in the dark. Rodolfo tells her that he is a poet and the woman in turn explains that her name is Mimì, and she makes her living by embroidering. Mimì and Rodolfo profess their love.

INTERMISSION

ACT II - In the Latin Quarter
Outside the Café Momus, peddlers sell their merchandise to the revelers. The bohemians converge at the café, and Rodolfo introduces Mimì to his friends. She is readily accepted and tells them about a bonnet Rodolfo has bought her. Marcello is surprised when Musetta, his former lover, arrives with her current paramour, the state councilor, Alcindoro. Musetta's behavior embarrasses Alcindoro as she sings a song to rekindle Marcello's love. Sensing her attempt is successful, Musetta pretends to have a pain in her foot so as to get rid of Alcindoro. Alcindoro runs off to have Musetta's shoe repaired while Marcello and Musetta fall into each other's arms. The waiter presents a bill to the bohemians who cannot pay it. Musetta solves the problem by having the amount added to Alcindoro's bill. 

INTERMISSION

ACT III - Barriere d'Enfer
At the tollgate, guards admit workers and peasants into the city. Mimì, in ill health, finds Marcello at the tavern where Musetta and he are working and Rodolfo has recently arrived. Mimì explains that although she and Rodolfo have been living together, their relationship is not going well. Marcello urges her to leave when he sees that the poet is looking for him. Instead, Mimì hides so she can observe the two. Rodolfo tells Marcello that he wants to separate from Mimì. What frightens him is Mimì's bad health: she is sure to die. Mimì overhears the conversation, and the men discover her as she coughs and weeps. Rodolfo tries to comfort her while Marcello jealously goes to find out why Musetta is laughing loudly in the tavern. Mimì tells Rodolfo that she can no longer live with him. They begin to reminisce as Marcello and Musetta  argue. Mimì and Rodolfo decide to remain together until spring as Musetta and Marcello break up.

INTERMISSION

ACT IV - In the garret
Several months later, both Rodolfo and Marcello desperately miss their former loves. Schaunard and Colline arrive with a meager meal. While much clowning ensues, Musetta bursts through the door and says that Mimì is at the top of the stairs, too weak to enter. Rodolfo brings Mimì in and makes her comfortable. When left alone Rodolfo and Mimì relive moments from their first meeting. The others return and as they busy themselves, Schaunard notices that Mimì has died. Rodolfo sees his friends' reaction and, rushing to the bedside, discovers Mimì.

World Premiere: Teatro Regio, Turin, February 1, 1896