La Boheme
Giacosa, Giuseppe;Illica, Luigi
English
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Below is a summary of La Boheme
E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Keith M. Eckrich, and the Project
LIBRETTO: LA BOHÈME
An Opera in Four Acts
Libretto by
G. GIACOSA and L. ILLICA
English Version by
W. GRIST and P. PINKERTON
Music by
GIACOMO PUCCINI
CHARACTERS
RUDOLPH (a poet) Tenor
SCHAUNARD (a musician) Baritone
BENOIT (a landlord) Bass
MIMI Soprano
PARPIGNOL Tenor
MARCEL (a painter) Baritone
COLLINE (a philosopher) Bass
ALCINDORO (a councilor of state) Bass
MUSETTA Soprano
CUSTOM-HOUSE SERGEANT Bass
Students, Work Girls, Citizens, Shopkeepers, Street Vendors, Soldiers,
Restaurant Waiters, Boys, Girls, etc.
TIME ABOUT 1830--IN PARIS
SYNOPSIS
The opera is founded on Henri Murger's book "La Vie de Bohème."
ACT I
Rudolph and Marcel are sitting in the latter's attic-studio in the
Quartier Latin, in Paris. Marcel is absorbed in his painting. The day
is cold. They have no money to buy coal. Marcel takes a chair to burn
it, when Rudolph remembers that he has a manuscript which has been
rejected by the publishers and lights a fire with that instead.
Colline enters, looking abject and miserable. He had gone out to pawn
his books, but nobody wanted them. Their friend, Schaunard, however,
had better luck. He comes bringing fuel and provisions. They all
prepare their meal, when the landlord enters and demands the payment
of his rent. The friends offer him a glass of wine and turn him out
amidst joking and laughter. After their gay repast they separate and
Rudolph remains alone writing.
A knock is heard at the door and Mimi, a little seamstress, who lives
on the same floor, appears and asks Rudolph to give her a match to
light her candle. As she is about to go out, she falls in a faint.
Rudolph gives her wine and restores her to consciousness. She tells
him that she suffers from consumption. Rudolph is struck by her beauty
and her delicate hands. She notices that she has lost her key and
whilst they search for it their candles are extinguished. As they
grope on the floor in the dark, Rudolph finds the key and puts it in
his pocket. Their hands meet and Rudolph tries to warm her hands and
tells her all about his life. Mimi confides her struggles to him and
their conversation soon turns upon their love for each other.
ACT II
Rudolph's friends have repaired to their favorite Café. It is
Christmas Eve and everyone is in festive spirits. All the shops are
bright and displaying their goods. Hawkers offer their goods for sale
in the streets. Rudolph and Mimi are seen entering a milliner's where
Rudolph is to buy her a new hat. Colline, Schaunard and Marcel take
their seats in front of the Café, where a table has been prepared for
them. Rudolph introduces Mimi to his friends. Musetta, Marcel's flame,
with whom he has quarrelled, now enters with Alcindoro. Marcel is
deeply moved when he sees her. Musetta notices this and sends
Alcindoro on an errand. Whilst he is away, she makes peace with
Marcel. The friends find that they have not sufficient money to pay
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