Baltimore Opera Company

Study Guide

La Bohème
The Bohemians

The Story

Act I

Paris , Christmas Eve, 1830
In their apartment, the poet Rodolfo and artist Marcello attempt to warm themselves by burning Rodolfo's latest play. Colline, a philosopher and Schaunard, a musician, arrive with food, fuel for the fire and a bit of money. As they celebrate, their landlord Benoit arrives and demands the rent. After they manage to sweet-talk him out of the apartment, the friends decide to celebrate their newfound fortune at the Café Momus. Rodolfo agrees to join them there as soon as he finishes the article he is writing. After they leave, there is a knock at the door. Mimi, their neighbor, has had her candle blown out by the draft on the stairs. She starts to faint and Rodolfo offers her some wine, relights her candle and helps her to the door. Mimi realizes she's lost her key, and as they search, both of their candles are blown out. Their eyes meet in the moonlight, and they tell each other of their dreams. Enchanted, they leave for the café together.

Act II

The Café Momus
After buying her a bonnet from a street vendor, Rodolfo introduces Mimi to his friends, who have sat down and ordered dinner. As they watch the passers-by, Marcello's former girlfriend, Musetta, enters on the arm of the wealthy Alcindoro. Seeing Marcello, Musetta sings a flirtatious waltz about how much men love her (“Quando m'en vo”). After ridding herself of Alcindoro, she falls into Marcello's arms. The group of friends flee the café, leaving Alcindoro to cover the bill.

Act III

Dawn, the outskirts of Paris
Musetta can be heard from within a tavern, the life of the party. Mimi enters, searching for Marcello and Musetta. When he appears, she tells him of her anxiety over Rodolfo's jealousy; she concludes that they'll have to separate. Hearing Rodolfo approach, Mimi hides. Rodolfo tells Marcello he wants to part with Mimi, but Marcello can tell there is more to the situation than mere jealousy. Upon being pressed, Rodolfo bursts into tears, revealing that Mimi is dying and will never survive if she continues to live in poverty with him. Mimi emerges from her hiding place to bid Rodolfo farewell as Marcello rushes back into the tavern upon hearing Musetta's flirtatious laughter. In a passionate quartet, Mimi and Rodolfo wax nostalgic about their love while Musetta and Marcello argue about her flirtatious ways. The latter two angrily storm off in opposite directions, but Mimi and Rodolfo agree to stay together until spring.

Act IV

Spring
As Rodolfo and Marcello complain of the loneliness they feel, Schaunard and Colline arrive with a small meal. The four are jokingly dancing together when Musetta bursts in and announces that Mimi is outside, too sick and weak to climb the stairs on her own. Rodolfo runs out to assist her, and Musetta tells the others that Mimi has asked to be brought to die at her lover's side. They attempt to make Mimi comfortable, and Marcello, Musetta and Colline leave to pawn prized possessions to raise funds for medicine. Left alone together, Mimi and Rodolfo remember their happy first days together, but their reverie is interrupted by her coughing. Musetta returns with a muff to warm Mimi's hands. As Musetta says a prayer, Mimi quietly passes away. Schaunard discovers that she is dead and Rodolfo sorrowfully cries out her name.

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