Opera Colorado - New Heights in Grand Opera

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The Story

Act I
It is Christmas Eve in the Latin Quarter of Paris, in an attic apartment shared by the Bohemians: Rodolfo, a poet; Marcello, a painter; Colline, a philosopher; and Schaunard, a musician. Marcello is at work on a painting and Rodolfo is trying to write, but the bitter cold proves too distracting. Rodolfo decides to use his latest manuscript as fuel for the dwindling fire in the stove. As Rodolfo and Marcello warm themselves by the fire, their friends Colline and Schaunard arrive. Having landed a job, Schaunard brings with him food, fuel and money. The group celebrates their good fortune and Schaunard suggests that they enjoy Christmas Eve in style by eating out at the nearby Café Momus. Just then their landlord, Benoit, knocks on the door and demands that they pay their rent. The quartet invites him in, shares their wine with him, and flatters him shamelessly until he boasts of his conquests with young women. Upon hearing this, the group pretends to be shocked at his behavior and forces him out of the room.

Marcello, Schaunard and Colline depart for the café, but Rodolfo stays behind to finish writing an article. He is interrupted by a timid knock at the door. It is his neighbor, Mimi, who says that her candle has gone out. Rodolfo is concerned for the young, beautiful girl because she is so pale and suffers from a horrible cough. He shares some wine with her and lights her candle, but she drops her key on the way out. As they both search for the key, their candles are blown out and Rodolfo touches her hand in the darkness. Noting how cold her hand is, he offers to warm it in his own. The two tell each other of their lives: his as a poet and hers as a dressmaker. They have already fallen in love with each other. The voices of the other Bohemians call up from the street below and the newly-enamored couple leaves to join them at the café.

Act II
Outside the Café Momus, a bustling crowd swirls about. Students, children and townspeople jostle as vendors try to sell their wares. The group of friends sits at an outdoor table enjoying the scene when Musetta, a sometime love of Marcello, arrives on the arm of Alcindoro, very wealthy and much older than she. It becomes obvious from the way that Musetta treats Alcindoro that she is only with him because of his wealth. She tries her best to get Marcello’s attention, singing an aria about her beauty and irresistibility, but Marcello ignores her. Finally, Musetta complains very loudly that her shoe is pinching her and she sends Alcindoro off to buy her a new pair. Marcello finally gives in and the two embrace. Not having enough money to pay the bill, the Bohemians escape the scene by marching off with a group of soldiers, leaving Alcindoro to pay the bill.

Act III
Two months later, at an inn on the outskirts of the city, Musetta and other revelers are heard at dawn enjoying themselves inside the tavern. Mimi arrives, looking for Musetta and Marcello. Marcello emerges from the tavern and Mimi tells him that she has come seeking his advice. She fears that Rodolfo has become jealous and wants to part from him. They hear Rodolfo inside and Mimi hides. Marcello, thinking that she has left, talks openly with Rodolfo about Mimi. Rodolfo tells him that he is afraid for her life. She is so sick and he is fears that her condition will only worsen in their poverty. Moved by what she has heard, Mimi stumbles out of her hiding to bid a final farewell to Rodolfo while Marcello, having heard Musetta’s raucous laughter, returns to the inn to accuse her of flirting with other men while he was outside. While the two end their relationship in a loud argument, Rodolfo and Mimi decide to stay together until spring.

Act IV
We return to the garret some months later, where Marcello and Rodolfo are longing for their lost loves. Colline and Schaunard arrive, bringing with them a meager meal, and the group makes merry by dancing and having a mock sword fight. Just as the fun is at its peak Musetta enters the apartment to tell them that Mimi is dying, and her only wish is to be with Rodolfo, her true love. Rodolfo carries Mimi into the apartment as she is too weak to climb the stairs herself. The group tries to make her comfortable, but realize that they are sorely ill-equipped in their poverty. Musetta decides to sell her earrings for medicine and then goes off to find a muff to keep Mimi’s hands warm. Colline leaves to pawn his coat in order to buy food. Left alone, Mimi and Rodolfo remember their happier days together, but Mimi is soon overcome with coughing. As the others return Musetta gives Mimi the muff and prays for her life, but Mimi dies quietly. Rodolfo is the last to realize this, and, calling her name, he falls on her lifeless body.