SYNOPSIS

ACT I

The curtain rises on a garret in Paris, where the painter Marcello and the poet Rodolfo are both trying to work in spite of the bitter cold. Colline, a philosopher,arrives: he has been unable to raise any money because the pawnshops are not doing any business on Christmas Eve. Then Shaunard comes in with food and money. But the food is to be kept for a rainy day; on Christmas Eve they must go out to dine. At that moment the landlord, Benoit arrives to demand the overdue rent. The artists invite him in, ply him with drink and get him to boast of his amorous conquests. Then they pretend moral indignation and chase him away without his money.

Rodolfo has to finish an urgent commission; the other three depart for the Café Momus. Almost at once there is a timid knock at the door. It is Mimi, a young neighbour, whose candle has gone out on the stairs.

The three friends call up from the street door and Rodolfo tells them that he is not alone. The friends retire to Momus; Mimi asks if she may join the party and the act ends with the celebrated duet in which they express their new love for each other.

ACT II

The Café Momus in the Quartier Latin is so crowded that patrons are being served at tables on the pavement, surrounded by street vendors, children and merry-makers. Rodolfo introduces Mimi to his friends and they admit her to their circle in a mock ceremony.

Musetta enters, the cause of Marcello’s grief, on the arm of Alcindoro, her latest conquest, a ridiculous man. She orders him around and tries to attract Marcello’s attention. Finally she gets rid of Alcindoro by complaining that her shoes hurt and sending him for a new pair.  As soon as he has left, Musetta and Marcello embrace and she joins the friends. The waiter presents their bill, but all the money is gone. Musetta instructs him to add it to that of her admirer and when the retreat is beaten, they escape with the crowd, leaving the stupefied Alcindoro to settle both accounts.

ACT III

It is daybreak; Mimi arrives in search of Marcello, who is once again living with Musetta. Mimi, who is coughing incessantly, begs him to help her: life with Rodolfo is getting intolerable because of his unreasonable jealousy. Marcello tells her that Rodolfo is in the tavern and begs her not to provoke a scene with him.

Rodolfo comes out of the inn and Mimi hides, but stays within earshot. First he complains bitterly of Mimi’s fickleness, saying that he cannot bear to live with her any longer, but when challenged by Marcello to tell the truth, he breaks down and admits that he knows her to be very ill and that he cannot provide food and medicine for her. Mimi bursts into tears and betrays her presence; they embrace passionately.

At that moment Musetta is heard laughing within the tavern; Marcello rushes into the tavern; in a passion of jealousy. Mimi recalls their earlier days of happiness.

ACT IV

As in Act I, Rodolfo and Marcello are trying to work: The other friends arrive with bread and a herring ; they pretend to be at a banquet, followed by a dance and a mock duel.

Suddenly Musetta bursts in; Mimi is on her way, but climbing the stairs has exhausted her. She wants to die where she was happiest- with Rodolfo. Mimi complains of her cold hands and Musetta gives Marcello her earrings to pawn so that they can get a doctor and buy a muff. They leave together. Colline decides to pawn his old overcoat.

Rodolfo and Mimi are alone. She tells him how, while they were apart, she always loved him; Musetta and Marcello arrive with medicine and the muff. Rodolfo thinks she is resting but the uneasy silence of his friends tells him the truth, and weeping he flings himself upon her corpse.

click for the video