Synopsis
ACT I
19th century Paris. Christmas Eve. Four bohemian friends
share a garret in the Montmartre district of Paris. The painter
Marcello and the poet Rodolfo are working whilst trying to keep
warm. They do not have enough wood for the fire and decide to burn
the manuscript of Rodolfo’s drama. Colline, the philosopher enters
complaining that Christmas Eve has not been a good day to try and
pawn some books. Nevertheless, Schaunard the musician arrives, who
has had better fortune, and has managed to bring back some
firewood, food and drink. The four friends get ready to set about
their feast.
Benoît, the landlord, knocks on the door to collect the rent. The
artists flatter him and ply him with wine and get him to talk about
his amorous adventures. When Benoît says he is being unfaithful to
his wife, the bohemians feign indignation and throw him out of the
garret without paying the rent. Next, they set off to Café Momus to
have some fun, except for Rodolfo who remains behind a little
longer to finish an article he is writing. Their neighbour, Mimì,
knocks on the door in search of a fire to light her candle from.
Rodolfo is dumbstruck by her beauty and lights her candle, but just
as she is leaving a draft blows out the flame. To make matters
worse, she has dropped her house key onto the floor. Rodolfo
immediately puts out his candle, pretending it was the draft and
they start to look for the key together. The poet touches Mimì’s
hand in the darkness and a spark of passion ignites between the two
young people. Embracing each other they set off to find Rodolfo’s
friends.
ACT II
A Plaza in the Latin Quarter of Paris in front of Café Momus. It is
dark and the crowds are celebrating Christmas in the street. There
are tables outside the café and the shops are decorated with
Christmas lights. Rodolfo gives Mimì a hat he has bought in a shop.
They then go to the café and the poet introduces Mimì to his
friends, who greet her affectionately and make ready to have
dinner.
Musetta, Marcello’s former girlfriend, appears, who is dressed
luxuriously, accompanied by the old millionaire Alcindoro. They sit
at a nearby table and Musetta tries to make Marcello jealous, but
he appears to ignore her provocation. Musetta starts to make a
scene to attract the attention of her former lover. Suddenly, she
pretends she has a nail stuck in her shoe and makes Alcindoro go
out to buy her a new pair. Taking advantage of the old man’s
absence, Marcello and Musetta embrace passionately. The friends
join a military parade that is passing through the plaza, leaving
their drinks unpaid saying that Alcindoro will pay for them.
ACT III
At the tollgate at the Barrière d’Enfer on the outskirts
of Paris. A cold February morning. It is snowing. Mimì goes to the
establishment where Marcello, Rodolfo and Musetta are staying.
Alone with Marcello, she tells him that her relationship with
Rodolfo is getting difficult because of the constant, unfounded
jealousy of her lover. Marcello comforts her and promises that he
will take the matter up with his friend when he wakes up.
When Mimì has gone, Rodolfo appears and openly tells his friend
Marcello that he is planning on leaving Mimì. The girl, who is
hiding near them, listens to the conversation. Rodolfo tells
Marcello that it is true that his jealously is getting the better
of him, but what hurts him most is that he sees Mimì sickening and
can do nothing to cure her. Mimì starts to cry and cough from her
hiding place and is surprised by Rodolfo. The lovers talk about
their situation and agree to stay together until after the winter
to make their parting easier to cope with. Meanwhile, Musetta,
inside the establishment, has started a heated argument with
Marcello.
ACT IV
Back in the garret. Winter has passed. Marcello and Rodolfo are
working trying to forget their heartaches from their respective
relationships with Musetta and Mimì. Schaunard and Colline appear
with a herring and some bread. There is nothing else to eat in the
house but the four friends eat the herring and bread and joke
pretending they are enjoying a slap-up meal, a dance and even a
fight. Musetta bursts in the garret bringing an end to the fun and
games. She has come with Mimì who, now seriously ill and close to
death, wants to see her beloved Rodolfo for the last time. Her
friends caringly look after her and do what they can to comfort
her. Mimì talks about the happy times she spent with Rodolfo and
his friends until she weakens further and dies. Rodolfo breaks down
and weeps, wracked with pain.
