PUCCINI'S LA BOHEME - CHERISH THE ONE YOU LOVE @ HARRISON OPERA HOUSE

La Bohème
Giacomo Puccini
Cherish the one you love
Christmas in Paris is magical, especially for Mimi and Rodolfo. Can their young love survive the cold reality of bohemian life as Mimi grows ill?

Conductor: PETER MARK
Stage Director: JULIA PEVZNER

Performed in Italian
with English Supertitles

Historical Background

The scene of the opera is Paris, About 1890.

ACT I: Paris, Christmas Eve. In the Latin Quarter, the painter Marcello and poet Rodolfo try to keep warm by burning pages from Rodolfo’s latest drama. They are joined by Colline, a young philosopher; and Schaunard, a musician who has landed a job and brings food, fuel and funds. But while they celebrate their unexpected fortune, the landlord, Benoit, arrives to collect the rent. Plying the older man with wine, they urge him to tell of his flirtations, and then throw him out in mock indignation. As the friends depart for a celebration at the nearby Café Momus, Rodolfo promises to join them soon, staying behind to finish writing an article. There is another knock: a neighbor, Mimì, says her candle has gone out on the drafty stairs. Offering her wine when she feels faint, Rodolfo relights her candle and helps her to the door. Mimì realizes she has dropped her key and, as they both search for it, their candles are blown out. The poet takes the girl’s shivering hand, telling her his dreams. Drawn to each other, Mimì and Rodolfo leave for the café.

ACT II: Rodolfo buys Mimì a bonnet near the Café Momus before introducing her to his friends. They all sit down and order supper. Marcello’s former lover, Musetta, enters on the arm of the elderly, wealthy Alcindoro. Trying to regain the painter’s attention, she sings a waltz about her popularity. Complaining that her shoe pinches, Musetta sends Alcindoro to fetch a new pair, and then falls into Marcello’s arms. Joining a group of marching soldiers, the Bohemians leave Alcindoro to face the bill when he returns.

ACT III: On the snowy outskirts of Paris, Mimì searches for the place where the reunited Marcello and Musetta now live. When the painter emerges, she pours out her distress over Rodolfo’s jealousy. It is best they part, she says. Rodolfo, who has been asleep in the tavern, is heard, and Mimì hides; Marcello thinks she has left. The poet tells Marcello he wants to separate from his fickle sweetheart. Pressed further, he breaks down, saying Mimì is dying; her ill health can only worsen in the poverty they share. Overcome, Mimì stumbles forward to bid her lover farewell as Marcello runs back into the tavern to investigate Musetta’s raucous laughter. While Mimì and Rodolfo recall their happiness, Musetta quarrels with Marcello. The painter and his mistress part in fury, but Mimì and Rodolfo decide to stay together until spring.

ACT IV: Some months later, Rodolfo and Marcello lament their loneliness in the garret. Colline and Schaunard bring a meager meal. The four stage a dance, which turns into a mock fight. The merrymaking is ended when Musetta bursts in, saying Mimì is downstairs, too weak to climb up. As Rodolfo runs to her, Musetta tells how Mimì has begged to be taken to her lover to die. While Mimì is made comfortable, Marcello goes with Musetta to sell her earrings for medicine, and Colline leaves to pawn his cherished overcoat. Alone, Mimì and Rodolfo recall their first days together, but she is seized with coughing. When the others return, Musetta gives Mimì a muff to warm her hands and prays for her life. Mimì dies quietly, and when Schaunard discovers she is dead, Rodolfo runs to her side, calling her name. .