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| The Cast of La Boheme Credit David Bachman Photography |
Set against the backdrop of bohemian Paris, La Bohème
follows four impoverished artists surviving with little more than friendship,
passion, and their love for art.
When Rodolfo, a poet, and Mimì, a young seamstress, meet,
the two are drawn into a tumultuous and passionate affair with a love that can
only be broken by death.
La Bohème will make you laugh, and bring you to tears, with
its timeless story and captivating music.
Emotional and dramatic, it’s no wonder Puccini’s most
celebrated opera has transcended the genre, inspiring both a ballet and the
Broadway hit musical RENT.
Antony Walker conducts; Kristine McIntyre directs.
For Tickets, Click Here
SYNOPSIS
ACT I. In their Latin Quarter garret on Christmas Eve, the
painter Marcello and poet Rodolfo try to keep warm by burning pages from
Rodolfo's latest drama. They are joined by their comrades—Colline, a young
philosopher, and Schaunard, a musician who has landed a job and brings food,
fuel, and funds (Legna! . . . Sigari!). 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, 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’s 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 the two search for it, both candles are blown out. In the moonlight the
poet takes the girl's shivering hand (Che gelida manina "What a cold
little hand") telling her his dreams. She then recounts her solitary life
(Sì, mi chiamano Mimì "Yes, they call me Mimì"), embroidering flowers
and dreaming of spring. Drawn to each other, Mimì and Rodolfo leave for the
café (O soave fanciulla "Oh lovely girl").
ACT II. Amid shouts of street hawkers, Rodolfo buys Mimì a
bonnet near the Café Momus and introduces her to his friends. They all sit and
order supper. A toy vendor, Parpignol, passes by, besieged by children.
Marcello's former lover, Musetta, enters on the arm of the older wealthy
Alcindoro. Determined to make Marcello jealous and test his attraction to her,
Musetta flirtatiously sings a waltz. (Quando me’n vo “When I walk out”).
Complaining that her shoe pinches, Musetta sends Alcindoro to fetch a new pair,
then falls into Marcello's arms. The Bohemians leave Alcindoro to face the bill
when he returns.
ACT III. At dawn on the snowy outskirts of Paris, a Customs
Officer admits street sweepers and farm women to the city. Musetta and revelers
are heard inside a tavern. Soon Mimì arrives searching for Marcello. When the
painter emerges, she pours out her distress over Rodolfo's incessant jealousy
(Mimì! . . . Speravo di trovarvi qui). It is best they part, he says. Mimì
hides as Rodolfo emerges from the tavern. He 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 from her hiding place to bid her lover farewell
(Addio . . . D'onde lieta uscì al tuo grido) as Marcello runs back into the
tavern to investigate Musetta's raucous laughter. While Mimì and Rodolfo recall
their happiness, Musetta quarrels with Marcello (Dunque è proprio finite). Mimì
and Rodolfo decide to stay together until spring.
Vuvu Mpofu as Mimi and Daniel O'Hearn as Rodolfo Credit: David Bachman Photography
ACT IV. Some months later, Rodolfo and Marcello lament their
loneliness in the garret (O Mimì, tu più non torni). 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 (Vecchia zimarra "Old coat"). Alone, Mimì and
Rodolfo recall their first days together (Sono andati? "Have they
gone?"), 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
(Dorme? . . . Riposa), and when Schaunard discovers she is dead, Rodolfo runs
to her side, calling her name. -Courtesy of Opera News
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