The online opera guide to LA BOHÈME
Get to know the Synopsis of the opera LA BOHÈME by Giacomo Puccini. In a 4-minute film you will watch the most important actions. Enriched with role descriptions and informative illustrations.
OVERVIEW & DIRECT ACCESS
Content
♪ Synopsis in 4 minutes - YouTube Video
♪ Link to the opera portrait (with interesting informations, and great Youtube Videos)
♪ Top 5 Highlights of the opera
Libretto
♪ Act I (Garret-Scene)
♪ Act II (Café Momus-Scene)
♪ Act III (Barrière d’enfer-Scene)
♪ Act IV (Death-Scene)
The Synopsis of LA BOHEME in 4 minutes
The Blogpost to LA BOHEME
The link to the blogpost with interesting facts and great YouTube Videos about La Boheme
The written Synopsis of La Boheme
The roles
Rodolfo, a poet
Marcello, a painter
Mimi, a seamstress
Musette, a former lover of Marcello
Synopsis
It’s Christmas Eve in Paris. The writer Rodolfo and the painter Marcello sit hungry in front of the cold oven. It is cold in the apartment, Rodolfo even sacrifices one of his manuscripts. The philosopher Colline comes home. He’s in a bad mood because he couldn’t sell anything in the pawn shop because it was closed on Christmas Eve. Only the musician Schaunard could earn something and brings wine, firewood and some money with him. So they decide to spend Christmas Eve at Café Momus. They are interrupted by their landlord Benoit, who duns the long overdue rent. They get rid of him and go to the café. Rodolfo is the only one left, as he still has to finish an article. There is a knock at the door. It’s Mimi, the seamstress from the neighbor’s apartment. She asks for fire for the extinguished candle. Mimi feels weak and Rodolfo takes care of her. The two talk about their lives and their dreams and fall in love with each other. Rodolfo takes Mimi to Café Momus.
There is a lot going on in front of Café Momus. Rodolfo buys a bonnet for Mimi from the toy seller and introduces her to his friends who are already partying. Musette, an old friend of Marcello’s, is there and bewitches her former lover. She sends her rich lover away. On his return to the restaurant, the cheerful company is already gone and he has to pay the bill.
A few weeks later. Marcello and Musette fight their way through life together, but often quarrel. Rodolfo and Mimi are about to split up. Rodolfo is always jealous. Mimi is unhappy and terminally ill. On a cold day in February, Mimi visits Marcello and asks for advice. At this moment Rodolfo enters the apartment. Mimi hides and she learns from the conversation between the two men, that Rodolfo still loves her, but he wants her to find a rich friend who can help her. A cough betrays Mimi and the two fall into each other’s arms.
Months later, Marcello and Rodolfo go to work in the attic. They haven’t heard from Musetta or Mimi for a long time and are nostalgically remembering these times. Colline and Schaunard enter and bring something simple to eat. A little later Musetta bursts into the room and has the terminally ill Mimi in her arms. Mimi wanted to see Rodolfo one last time but she couldn’t make the stairs on her own. Everyone leaves the apartment to sell their most valuable belongings to buy medicine. Only Rodolfo and Mimi remain in the apartment. Mimi sings one last time about her love for Rodolfo. When the friends return, Mimi is happy about the presents. A little later she is dead.
The Top 6 highlights of La Bohème
Che gelida manina (1) - Pavarotti/Karajan
Mi chiamano Mimi (1) - Tebaldi
O soave fanciulla (1) - Björling / Tebaldi
Quando m’em vo - Netrebko
Donde lieta usci - Gheorghiu
Vecchia zimarra - Pinza
LIBRETTO
SYNOPSIS ACT I
| ACT ONE A garret(A large window through which an expanse of snow- covered roofs is seen. At right, a stove. A table, a bed, four chairs, a painter’s easel with a half-finished canvas: books everywhere, manuscripts. Rodolfo is thoughtful, looking out the window. Marcello works at his painting “The Crossing of the Red Sea”, his hands stiff with cold; he tries to warm them by blowing on them now and again.)MARCELLO This Red Sea of mine makes me feel cold and numb as if it were pouring over me. I’ll drown a Pharaoh in revenge. (to Rodolfo) What are you doing?RODOLFO I’m looking at Paris, seeing the skies grey with smoke from a thousand chimneys, and I think of that no-good, hateful stove of ours that lives a gentleman’s life of idleness. |
| MARCELLO It’s been a long time since he received his just income.RODOLFO What are those stupid forests doing, all covered with snow?MARCELLO Rodolfo, I want to tell you a profound thought I’ve had: I’m cold as hell.RODOLFO As for me, Marcello, I’ll be frank: I’m not exactly sweating.MARCELLO And my fingers are frozen - as if I still were holding them in that enormous glacier, Musetta’s heart. (A sigh escapes him, and he leaves off painting.) RODOLFO MARCELLO RODOLFO |
| MARCELLO And woman the spark…RODOLFO He burns in a moment…MARCELLO And she stands by, watching!RODOLFO Meanwhile, we’re freezing in here!MARCELLO And dying from lack of food! RODOLFO MARCELLO RODOLFO MARCELLO RODOLFO MARCELLO |
| RODOLFO No. Painted canvas smells. My play… My burning drama will warm us.MARCELLO You mean to read it? I’ll freeze.RODOLFO No, the paper will unfold in ash and genius soar back to its heaven. A serious loss to the age… Rome is in danger…MARCELLO What a noble heart!RODOLFO Here, take the first act! MARCELLO RODOLFO MARCELLO |
| RODOLFO and MARCELLO What blissful heat! (The door opens and Colline enters, frozen, stamping his feet. He throws some books on the table.)COLLINE Signs of the Apocalypse begin to appear. No pawning allowed on Christmas Eve. (surprised) A fire!RODOLFO Quiet, my play’s being given…MARCELLO …to the stove.COLLINE I find it sparkling. RODOLFO MARCELLO RODOLFO COLLINE |
| MARCELLO These intermissions bore you to death. Get on with it!RODOLFO Act Two.MARCELLO No whispering.COLLINE What profundity!MARCELLO How colourful! RODOLFO COLLINE MARCELLO RODOLFO COLLINE |
| ALL Beautiful death in the joyful flame. (The flame dies.)MARCELLO Oh Lord! The flame is dying.COLLINE So useless, so fragile a drama!MARCELLO Already curling up to die.COLLINE and MARCELLO Down with the author! (Two porters come in, one carrying food, bottles of wine and cigars; the other has a bundle of wood. At the sound, the three men in front of the fire turn around and with shouts of amazement fall upon the provisions.) RODOLFO MARCELLO COLLINE RODOLFO MARCELLO |
| ALL THREE Destiny provides us with a feast of plenty! (The porters leave. Schaunard enters triumphantly, throwing some coins on the floor.)SCHAUNARD The Bank of France has gone broke just for you.COLLINE (gathering up coins, with the others) Pick them up!MARCELLO They must be made of tin!…SCHAUNARD Are you deaf? or blind? (showing a crown) Who is this man? RODOLFO ALL |
| SCHAUNARD Now I’ll tell you: this gold, this silver, rather, has a noble history…RODOLFO Let’s fire the stove!COLLINE It’s hard to endure so much cold!SCHAUNARD An Englishman… a gentleman… A lord…was looking for a musician…MARCELLO Come! Let’s set the table! SCHAUNARD RODOLFO COLLINE MARCELLO SCHAUNARD |
| COLLINE Cold roast beef.MARCELLO Sweet pastry.SCHAUNARD When do the lessons begin?… I introduce myself, he hires me, I ask: When do the lessons begin? He replies: “Let’s start… look!” and points to a parrot on the first floor. Then adds: “You play until that bird dies!”RODOLFO The dining room’s brilliant!MARCELLO Now the candles. SCHAUNARD MARCELLO |
| RODOLFO No! I’ve an idea. (He takes a newspaper from his pocket.)MARCELLO and COLLINE The Constitutional!RODOLFO Excellent paper… You eat and devour the news!SCHAUNARD Lorito spread his wings, Lorito opened his beak, took a peck of parsley, and died like Socrates!COLLINE (to Schaunard) Who? SCHAUNARD |
| ALL It’s Christmas Eve!SCHAUNARD And each has a student echoing her! Have some religion, gentlemen: we drink at home, but we dine out. (They pour the wine. A knock at the door.)BENOIT (outside) May I come in?MARCELLO Who’s there?BENOIT Benoit. MARCELLO SCHAUNARD COLLINE SCHAUNARD BENOIT |
| SCHAUNARD (after consulting the others, opens the door) Just one! (Benoit enters.)BENOIT (showing a paper) Rent.MARCELLO Here! Give him a chair.RODOLFO At once.BENOIT Don’t bother, I’d like… SCHAUNARD MARCELLO BENOIT RODOLFO and COLLINE SCHAUNARD |
| BENOIT This is the bill for three months’ rent…MARCELLO That’s fine…BENOIT Therefore…SCHAUNARD Another drop.BENOIT Thank you. THE FOUR BENOIT MARCELLO RODOLFO SCHAUNARD |
| MARCELLO (to Benoit, ignoring the others) You see? Now then stay with us a moment. Tell me: how old are you, dear Monsieur Benoit?BENOIT My age?…Spare me!RODOLFO Our age, more or less, I’d say.BENOIT More, much more. (They refill his glass.)COLLINE He said more or less. MARCELLO BENOIT MARCELLO BENOIT |
| MARCELLO A lovely woman!BENOIT (half-drunk) Ah! Very!SCHAUNARD, then RODOLFO You rascal!COLLINE Seducer! He’s an oak, a ball of fire!RODOLFO He’s a man of taste. MARCELLO BENOIT COLLINE, SCHAUNARD and RODOLFO MARCELLO BENOIT |
| a lively woman… a bit… well, not a whale exactly or a relief-map of the world or a face like a full moon, but not thin, really thin. No! Thin women are worrisome and often… a nuisance… always full of complaints, for example… …my wife! (Marcello rises, feigning moral indignation. The others do the same.)MARCELLO This man has a wife and foul desires in his heart!THE OTHERS Horrors!RODOLFO He corrupts and pollutes our respectable home.THE OTHERS Out with him! MARCELLO COLLINE |
| SCHAUNARD Our offended morality expels you!BENOIT I say…I…THE OTHERS Silence!BENOIT My dear sirs…THE OTHERS Silence…Out, sir… Away with you! And good evening to your worship! Ha! Ha! Ha! (Benoit is thrown out. Marcello shuts the door.) MARCELLO SCHAUNARD MARCELLO SCHAUNARD THE OTHERS |
| MARCELLO (giving Colline a mirror) Beauties are there, come from above. Now you’re rich, you must look presentable. You bear! Trim your fur.COLLINE I’ll make my first acquaintance of a beard-trimmer. Lead me to the absurd, outrageous razor.ALL Let’s go.RODOLFO I must stay to finish my article for The Beaver.MARCELLO Hurry, then! RODOLFO COLLINE MARCELLO RODOLFO |
| SCHAUNARD Cut that Beaver’s tail short. (Rodolfo takes a light and opens the door. The others start down the stairs.)MARCELLO (outside) Watch the stairs. Hold on to the railing.RODOLFO (raising the light) Careful.COLLINE It’s pitch dark.SCHAUNARD That damn janitor! COLLINE RODOLFO COLLINE MARCELLO |
| RODOLFO I’m not in the mood. (There’s a timid knock at the door.) Who’s there?MIMÌ (outside) Excuse me.RODOLFO A woman!MIMÌ I’m sorry…my light has gone out.RODOLFO (opening the door) Here. MIMÌ RODOLFO MIMÌ RODOLFO |
| MIMÌ No…it’s nothing.RODOLFO You’re pale!MIMÌ I’m out of breath…the stairs… (She faints, and Rodolfo is just in time to support her and help her to a chair. The key and the candlestick fall from her hands.)RODOLFO Now what shall I do? (He gets some water and sprinkles her face.) So. How ill she looks! (Mimì comes to.) Are you better now?MIMÌ Yes. RODOLFO MIMÌ RODOLFO |
| MIMÌ Just a little.RODOLFO There.MIMÌ Thank you.RODOLFO (What a lovely creature!)MIMÌ (rising) Now, please, relight my candle. I’m better now. RODOLFO MIMÌ RODOLFO MIMÌ |
| RODOLFO Don’t stand in the doorway: the wind makes your light flicker. (Her candle goes out.)MIMÌ Heavens! Will you relight it? (Rodolfo hastens to her with his light, but when he reaches the door, his candle goes out, too. The room is dark.)RODOLFO There…Now mine’s out, too.MIMÌ Ah! And where can my key be?RODOLFO Pitch dark! MIMÌ RODOLFO MIMÌ RODOLFO MIMÌ |
| RODOLFO What do you mean? Not at all!MIMÌ Search.RODOLFO I’m searching. (They hunt, touching the floor with their hands.)MIMÌ Where can it be?RODOLFO Ah! (He finds the key and pockets it.) MIMÌ RODOLFO MIMÌ RODOLFO MIMÌ |
| RODOLFO Yes, I am. (Guided by her voice, Rodolfo pretends to search as he draws closer to her. Then his hand meets hers, and he holds it.)MIMÌ (surprised) Ah! (They rise. Rodolfo continues to hold Mimì’s hand.)RODOLFO How cold your little hand is! Let me warm it for you. What’s the use of searching? We’ll never find it in the dark. But luckily there’s a moon, and she’s our neighbour here. Just wait, my dear young lady, and meanwhile I’ll tell you in a word who and what I am. Shall I? (Mimì is silent.) Who am I? I’m a poet. My business? Writing. How do I live? I live. In my happy poverty I squander like a prince my poems and songs of love. In hopes and dreams and castles-in-the-air, I’m a millionaire in spirit. |
| But sometimes my strong-box is robbed of all its jewels by two thieves: a pair of pretty eyes. They came in now with you and all my lovely dreams, my dreams of the past, were soon stolen away. But the theft doesn’t upset me, since the empty place was filled with hope. Now that you know me, it’s your turn to speak. Who are you? Will you tell me?MIMÌ Yes. They call me Mimì, but my real name’s Lucia. My story is brief. I embroider silk and satin at home or outside. I’m tranquil and happy, and my pastime is making lilies and roses. I love all things that have gentle magic, that talk of love, of spring, that talk of dreams and fancies - the things called poetry… Do you understand me?RODOLFO Yes. |
| MIMÌ They call me Mimì - I don’t know why. I live all by myself and I eat alone. I don’t often go to church, but I like to pray. I stay all alone in my tiny white room, I look at the roofs and the sky. But when spring comes the sun’s first rays are mine. April’s first kiss is mine, is mine! The sun’s first rays are mine! A rose blossoms in my vase, I breathe its perfume, petal by petal. So sweet is the flower’s perfume. But the flowers I make, alas, the flowers I make, alas, alas, have no scent. What else can I say? I’m your neighbour, disturbing you at this impossible hour.SCHAUNARD (from below) Hey! Rodolfo!COLLINE Rodolfo!MARCELLO Hey! Can’t you hear? You slow-coach! |
| COLLINE You scribbler!SCHAUNARD To hell with that lazy one! (Rodolfo, impatient, goes to the window to answer. When the window is opened, the moonlight comes in, lighting up the room.)RODOLFO I’ve a few more words to write.MIMÌ Who are they?RODOLFO Friends. SCHAUNARD MARCELLO RODOLFO MARCELLO, SCHAUNARD and COLLINE |
| He’s found his poem at last. (Turning, Rodolfo sees Mimì wrapped in a halo of moonlight. He contemplates her, in ecstasy.)RODOLFO Oh! lovely girl! Oh, sweet face bathed in the soft moonlight. I see in you the dream I’d dream forever!MIMÌ (Ah! Love, you rule alone!…)RODOLFO Already I taste in spirit the heights of tenderness!MIMÌ (You rule alone, o Love!) RODOLFO MIMÌ RODOLFO |
| MIMÌ Your friends are waiting.RODOLFO You send me away already?MIMÌ I daren’t say what I’d like…RODOLFO Tell me.MIMÌ If I came with you? RODOLFO MIMÌ RODOLFO MIMÌ RODOLFO MIMÌ |
| RODOLFO Tell me you love me!MIMÌ I love you.RODOLFO and MIMÌ (as they go out) Beloved! My love! My love! |
SYNOPSIS AKT II
| In the Latin Quarter (A square with shops of all kinds. On one side is the Café Momus. Mimì and Rodolfo move about with the crowd. Colline is nearby at a rag-woman’s stand. Schaunard is buying a pipe and a trumpet. Marcello is pushed here and there by the throng. It is evening. Christmas Eve.)HAWKERS Oranges, dates! Hot roasted chestnuts! Crosses, knick-knacks! Cookies and candies! Flowers for the ladies! Pies for sale! With whipped cream! Finches and larks! Dates! Fresh fish! Coconut milk! Skirts! Carrots! |
| THE CROWD What a throng! Such noise! Hold tight! Let’s run! Lisa! Emma! Make way there! Emma, I’m calling you! Once more around… We’ll take Rue Mazarine. I can’t breathe here… See? The café’s right here. What wonderful jewels! Your eyes are more wonderful! This crowd tonight sets a dangerous example! Things were better in my day!Long live freedom! AT THE CAFÉ Let’s go. Here, waiter! Hurry. On the run. Come here. My turn. Beer! A glass! Vanilla. Liqueur! Well? Hurry. Drinks! Coffee… .Quickly. Hey, there…SCHAUNARD (blowing on the trumpet, producing odd sounds) This D is out of tune. How much for the horn and the pipe? |
| COLLINE fat the rag-woman’s, who is sewing up an enormous overcoat he has just bought) It’s a little worn…RODOLFO Let’s go.MIMÌ Are we going to buy the bonnet?COLLINE …But it’s cheap and dignified.RODOLFO Hold tight to my arm. MIMÌ MIMÌ and RODOLFO MARCELLO HAWKERS MARCELLO |
| SCHAUNARD Pushing and shoving and running, the crowd hastens to its joys, feeling insane desires - unappeased.HAWKERS Trinkets! Brooches! etc.COLLINE (showing a book) A rare find, truly unique: a Runic grammar.SCHAUNARD (What an honest fellow!)MARCELLO Let’s eat! SCHAUNARD and COLLINE MARCELLO RODOLFO MIMÌ HAWKERS |
| CAFÉ CUSTOMERS Waiter! A glass! Quick. Hey there… Liqueur.RODOLFO You’re dark, that colour suits you.MIMÌ (looking back at the shop) That lovely coral necklace.RODOLFO I’ve a millionaire uncle. If God acts wisely, I’ll buy you a necklace much more beautiful…URCHINS, MIDINETTES, STUDENTS Ah! ah! ah! etc. TOWNSPEOPLE HAWKERS |
| Knick-knacks, dates, hot roasted chestnuts! Finches, larks! Cream cakes!RODOLFO Whom are you looking at?COLLINE I hate the vulgar herd as Horace did.MIMÌ Are you jealous?RODOLFO The man who’s happy must be suspicious too. SCHAUNARD MIMÌ MARCELLO RODOLFO MARCELLO SCHAUNARD |
| RODOLFO And you?MIMÌ Very. (Marcello, Schaunard and Colline sit at a table in front of the café.)STUDENTS There, to Momus!MIDINETTES Let’s go! Let’s go!MARCELLO, COLLINE, SCHAUNARD Quickly! VOICE OF PARPIGNOL RODOLFO COLLINE RODOLFO |
| As songs flow from my brain, the flowers bloom in her hands, and in joyful spirits love blossoms also.MARCELLO What rare imagery!COLLINE Digna est intrari.SCHAUNARD Ingrediat si necessit.COLLINE I grant only one accessit. VOICE OF PARPIGNOL COLLINE CHILDREN |
| SCHAUNARD Roast venison.MARCELLO A turkey.SCHAUNARD Rhine wine!COLLINE Table wine!SCHAUNARD Shelled lobster! MOTHERS A BOY RODOLFO MIMÌ SCHAUNARD |
| CHILDREN Bravo Parpignol! The drums! The tambourine! A troop of soldiers! (They run off, following Parpignol.)MARCELLO Tell me, Mimì, what rare gift Rodolfo has given you?MIMÌ An embroidered pink bonnet, all with lace. It goes well with my dark hair. I’ve longed for such a bonnet for months…and he read what was hidden in my heart… Anyone who can read the heart’s secret knows love…he’s such a reader.SCHAUNARD He’s a professor in the subject.COLLINE With diplomas, and his verses are not a beginner’s… SCHAUNARD MARCELLO |
| RODOLFO The sublimest poem, my friend, is the one which teaches us to love!MIMÌ Love is sweet, sweeter than honey.MARCELLO That depends: it’s honey or gall!MIMÌ Heavens! I’ve offended him!RODOLFO He’s mourning, Mimì! SCHAUNARD and COLLINE MARCELLO ALL MARCELLO SCHAUNARD, COLLINE and RODOLFO |
| MARCELLO Her!THE SHOPWOMEN What! Her! Yes! Well! Her! Musetta! She’s done well for herself! What a dress! (Musetta stops, accompanied by the old and pompous Alcindoro. She sits at another table in front of the café.)ALCINDORO Running like a porter back and forth… No, it’s not proper.MUSETTA (calling Alcindoro as if he were a dog) Here, Lulu!ALCINDORO I can’t take any more. MUSETTA SCHAUNARD ALCINDORO MUSETTA |
| ALCINDORO Please, save these little nicknames of yours for when we’re alone.MUSETTA Don’t act like Bluebeard!COLLINE He’s evil behind that front!MARCELLO With the chaste Susanna.MIMÌ But she’s beautifully dressed. RODOLFO MIMÌ MARCELLO |
| is the heart…she devours them! And so I have no heart.MUSETTA (Marcello’s has seen me… But the coward won’t look at me. And that Schaunard’s laughing! They all make me livid! If I could just hit them! Scratch their eyes out! But I’ve got this old pelican on my hands. Just wait!) Waiter!MARCELLO (hiding his emotion) Pass me the stew.MUSETTA Hey! Waiter! This plate smells dirty to me! (throwing the plate on the ground)ALCINDORO No, Musetta! Quiet, now! MUSETTA ALCINDORO MUSETTA |
| ALCINDORO To whom are you speaking?COLLINE This chicken is a poem!MUSETTA (Now I’ll hit him, I’ll hit him!)ALCINDORO Who are you talking to?MUSETTA To the waiter. Don’t be a bore! SCHAUNARD MUSETTA ALCINDORO MUSETTA ALCINDORO MUSETTA |
| MIDINETTES and STUDENTS Look, look who it is, Musetta herself! With that stuttering old man, it’s Musetta herself! Ha ha ha ha ha!MUSETTA (But could he be jealous of this mummy?)ALCINDORO Decorum…my rank…my reputation!MUSETTA (Let’s see if I still have enough power over him to make him give in.)SCHAUNARD The play is stupendous! MUSETTA ALCINDORO SCHAUNARD COLLINE |
| RODOLFO (to Mimì) Let me tell you now: I’d never be forgiving.SCHAUNARD She speaks to one for the other to hear.MIMÌ (to Rodolfo) I love you so, and I’m all yours… Why speak of forgiveness?COLLINE (to Schaunard) And the other, cruel, in vain pretends he is deaf, but enjoys it all.MUSETTA But your heart is beating like a hammer. ALCINDORO MUSETTA ALCINDORO MUSETTA |
| examining me from head to toe.MARCELLO Tie me to the chair!ALCINDORO What will people say?MUSETTA And then I savour the subtle longing in their eyes when, from my visible charms, they guess at the beauty concealed. This onrush of desire surrounds me. It delights me, it delights me.ALCINDORO (This scurrilous song infuriates me!) MUSETTA MIMÌ ALCINDORO |
| RODOLFO Marcello loved her once…SCHAUNARD Ah! Marcello will give in!RODOLFO …The flirt ran off…COLLINE Who knows what’ll happen!RODOLFO …to find a better life. SCHAUNARD COLLINE MUSETTA ALCINDORO MIMÌ |
| COLLINE She’s lovely - I’m not blind…MIMÌ (nestling close to Rodolfo) I love you!SCHAUNARD (The braggart is about to yield! The play is stupendous! Marcello will give in!) (to Colline) If such a pretty creature stopped and talked to you, you’d gladly send to the devil all your bearish philosophy.RODOLFO Mimì! Love is weak when it leaves wrongs unavenged. Love, once dead, cannot be revived, etc.MIMÌ I feel so sorry for the poor girl. Love is sad when it’s unforgiving. I feel so sorry, etc. COLLINE ALCINDORO |
| MUSETTA I know: you won’t admit your torment. Ah! but you feel like dying! (to Alcindoro) I’ll do as I please, I’ll do as I like, don’t be a bore, a bore, a bore! (Now to get rid of the old man.) (pretending a pain) Ouch!ALCINDORO What is it?MUSETTA The pain! The pain!ALCINDORO Where?MUSETTA My foot! MARCELLO MUSETTA |
| Ah, how it pinches, this damn tight shoe! I’ll take it off…here it is. Run, go on, run! Hurry, hurry!MIMÌ (I can see she’s madly in love with Marcello.)RODOLFO (I can see: the play’s stupendous!)ALCINDORO How unwise! What will people say? My reputation! Do you want to ruin it? Wait! Musetta! I’m going! (He hurries off.)COLLINE and SCHAUNARD (The play is stupendous!) MUSETTA MARCELLO SCHAUNARD ALL |
| SCHAUNARD So soon?COLLINE Who asked for it?SCHAUNARD Let’s see.COLLINE and RODOLFO It’s high! (Drums are heard approaching.)RODOLFO, SCHAUNARD and COLLINE Out with the money! SCHAUNARD CHILDREN MARCELLO SCHAUNARD MIDINETTES, STUDENTS RODOLFO |
| TOWNSPEOPLE The Tattoo!MARCELLO, SCHAUNARD and COLLINE What? No more money?SCHAUNARD Where’s my wealth?URCHINS Are they coming this way?MUSETTA (to the waiter) Give me my bill. MIDINETTES, STUDENTS URCHINS MIDINETTES, STUDENTS URCHINS MUSETTA TOWNSPEOPLE, HAWKERS CHILDREN |
| MUSETTA Quick, add these two bills together… The gentleman who was with me will pay.MOTHERS Lisetta, please be quiet. Tonio, stop that at once!GIRLS Mamma, I want to see. Papa, I want to hear.RODOLFO, MARCELLO, SCHAUNARD, COLLINE The gentleman will pay!CHILDREN I want to see the Tattoo! MOTHERS MIDINETTES TOWNSPEOPLE TOWNSPEOPLE, STUDENTS, HAWKERS URCHINS |
| COLLINE, SCHAUNARD, MARCELLO The gentleman will pay!MUSETTA And here, where he was sitting, he’ll find my farewell! (putting the bill on the chair)TOWNSPEOPLE That drum-roll expresses our country’s glory.RODOLFO, COLLINE, SCHAUNARD, MARCELLO And here, where he was sitting, he’ll find her farewell!THE CROWD Make way, make way, here they come! URCHINS MARCELLO THE CROWD COLLINE, MARCELLO RODOLFO |
| MARCELLO, SCHAUNARD, COLLINE That crowded throng will be our hiding-place.THE CROWD Here’s the drum-major! Prouder than an ancient warrior! The drum-major!MIMÌ, MUSETTA, RODOLFO, MARCELLO, SCHAUNARD, COLLINE Hurry! Let’s run off!THE CROWD The Sappers! The Sappers, hooray! Here’s the drum-major! Like a general! The Tattoo is here! Here he is, the handsome drum-major! The golden baton, all a-glitter! See, he looks at us as he goes past!RODOLFO, MARCELLO, SCHAUNARD, COLLINE Bravo Musetta! Artful minx! Glory and honour, the glory and honour of the Latin Quarter! THE CROWD |
SYNOPSIS ACT III
| The Barrière d’Enfer (Beyond the tollgate is the main highway. At left, a SWEEPERS CUSTOMS OFFICER VOICES FROM THE TAVERN |
| VOICE OF MUSETTA Ah! Pleasure is in the glass! Love lies on young lips.VOICES FROM THE TAVERN Tra la la la Eve and Noah.VOICES FROM THE HIGHWAY Houp-la! Giddap!CUSTOMS OFFICER Here come the milkmaids! (He opens the gate. The milkmaids enter together with a string of peasants’ carts.)MILKMAIDS Good morning! PEASANT WOMEN MIMÌ |
| SERGEANT There it is.MIMÌ Thank you. (A waitress comes out of the tavern. Mimì approaches her.) Oh, good woman, please… Be good enough to find me Marcello, the painter. I must see him quickly. Tell him Mimì’s waiting.SERGEANT (to someone coming in) Hey! that basket!CUSTOMS OFFICER Empty!SERGEANT Let him through. (Marcello comes out of the tavern.) MARCELLO MIMÌ MARCELLO |
| And I paint those warriors by the door there. It’s cold. Come inside.MIMÌ Is Rodolfo there?MARCELLO Yes.MIMÌ I can’t go in. No, no!MARCELLO Why not? MIMÌ MARCELLO MIMÌ |
| You’re not for me.” I know it’s his jealousy speaking, but what can I answer, Marcello?MARCELLO When two people are like you two, they can’t live together.MIMÌ You’re right. We should separate. Help us, Marcello, help us. We’ve tried again and again, but in vain.MARCELLO I take Musetta lightly, and she behaves like me. We love light-heartedly. Laughter and song - that’s the secret of a lasting love.MIMÌ You’re right, you’re right. We should separate. Do as you think best. MARCELLO MIMÌ MARCELLO |
| and fell asleep on a bench. Look at him… (Mimì coughs.) What a cough!MIMÌ I’ve been aching all over since yesterday. He fled during the night, saying: “It’s all over.” I set out at dawn and came here to find you.MARCELLO (watching Rodolfo through the window) He’s waking up. He’s looking for me…Here he comes.MIMÌ He mustn’t see me.MARCELLO Go home now, Mimì. For God’s sake, no scenes here. (Mimì hides behind a tree, Rodolfo hastens out of the tavern.) RODOLFO MARCELLO |
| RODOLFO Already once before I thought my heart was dead. But it revived at the gleam of her blue eyes. Now boredom assails it…MARCELLO And you’ll bury it again?RODOLFO Forever!MARCELLO Change your ways! Gloomy love is madness and brews only tears. If it doesn’t laugh and glow love has no strength or voice. You’re jealous.RODOLFO A little. MARCELLO MIMÌ |
| RODOLFO Mimì’s just a flirt toying with them all. A foppish Viscount eyes her with longing. She shows him her ankles, promising, luring him on.MARCELLO Must I tell you? You aren’t being honest.RODOLFO All right, then. I’m not. I try in vain to hide what really torments me. I love Mimì more than the world. I love her! But I’m afraid… Mimì is terribly ill, weaker every day. The poor little thing is doomed…MARCELLO Mimì?MIMÌ (What does he mean?) RODOLFO |
| MARCELLO Poor Mimì!MIMÌ (Am I dying? Alas!)RODOLFO My room’s like a cave. The fire has gone out. The wind, the winter wind roars through it. She laughs and sings; I’m seized with remorse. I’m the cause of the illness that’s killing her.MARCELLO What’s to be done?MIMÌ (Oh! my life! It’s over! Alas! To die! etc.) RODOLFO MARCELLO |
| RODOLFO What, Mimì? You here! You heard me?MARCELLO She was listening then.RODOLFO I’m easily frightened, worked up over nothing. Come inside where it’s warm. (He tries to lead her inside.)MIMÌ No. It’s so close. I’d suffocate. (Musetta’s laughter comes from inside.)RODOLFO Ah, Mimì! MARCELLO MIMÌ RODOLFO MIMÌ |
| I’m going back alone to my lonely nest to make false flowers. Goodbye…no hard feelings. But listen. Please gather up the few things I’ve left behind. In the trunk there’s the little bracelet and my prayer book. Wrap them in an apron and I’ll send someone for them… Wait! Under the pillow there’s my pink bonnet. If you want…keep it in memory of our love. Goodbye, no hard feelings.RODOLFO So it’s really over. You’re leaving, my little one? Goodbye to our dreams of love.MIMÌ Goodbye to our sweet wakening.RODOLFO Goodbye, life in a dream.MIMÌ Goodbye, doubts and jealousies… RODOLFO MIMÌ |
| RODOLFO Kisses…MIMÌ …Poignant bitterness…RODOLFO …That, like a poet, I made rhyme with caress.RODOLFO and MIMÌ To be alone in winter is death!MIMÌ Alone… RODOLFO and MIMÌ MIMÌ MARCELLO MUSETTA MIMÌ |
| MARCELLO When I came in you blushed suddenly.MUSETTA The man was asking me… “Do you like dancing, Miss?”RODOLFO One can speak to roses and lilies.MIMÌ Birds twitter softly in their nests.MARCELLO Vain, empty-headed flirt! MUSETTA MARCELLO MUSETTA MARCELLO RODOLFO and MIMÌ |
| MUSETTA What do you think you’re saying? We’re not married, after all.MARCELLO …If I catch you flirting! Keep in mind, no horns will grow under my hat.MUSETTA I can’t stand lovers who act just like husbands.RODOLFO and MIMÌ The fountains whisper, the evening breeze heals the pain of human creatures…MARCELLO I won’t be laughed at by some young upstart. Vain, empty-headed flirt! You’re leaving? I thank you, I’ll be a rich man then. MUSETTA MARCELLO and MUSETTA |
| RODOLFO and MIMÌ Shall we wait until spring comes again?MUSETTA I bid you, sir, farewell - with pleasure!MARCELLO Your servant, and I’m off!MUSETTA (leaving) You house-painter!MARCELLO Viper! MUSETTA MARCELLO MIMÌ RODOLFO and MIMÌ MIMÌ RODOLFO and MIMÌ |
SYNOPSIS ACT IV
| The garret (Marcello once more at his easel; Rodolfo at his table. MARCELLO RODOLFO MARCELLO RODOLFO MARCELLO RODOLFO MARCELLO |
| RODOLFO You saw her? (with pretended unconcern) Really?MARCELLO She was in a carriage, dressed like a queen.RODOLFO That’s fine. I’m delighted.MARCELLO (The liar! Love’s consuming him.)RODOLFO Let’s get to work. MARCELLO RODOLFO MARCELLO RODOLFO |
| MARCELLO (I don’t understand how my brush works and mixes colours to spite me. Whether I want to paint earth or sky, spring or winter, the brush outlines two dark eyes and inviting lips, and Musetta’s face appears… )RODOLFO (And you, little pink bonnet that she hid under the pillow as she left, you know all of our joy. Come to my heart, my heart that died when our love died.)MARCELLO (Her face appears, so lovely and so false. Meanwhile Musetta is happy and my cowardly heart calls her, and waits for her.)RODOLFO What time is it?MARCELLO It’s time for dinner… Yesterday’s dinner. |
| RODOLFO And Schaunard’s not back. (Schaunard comes in and sets four rolls on the table. Colline is with him.)SCHAUNARD Here we are.RODOLFO and MARCELLO Well?MARCELLO Well? Just bread?COLLINE A dish worthy of Demosthenes: A herring… SCHAUNARD COLLINE MARCELLO SCHAUNARD |
| RODOLFO Which do you choose, Baron, salmon or trout?MARCELLO Well, Duke, how about some parrot-tongue?SCHAUNARD Thanks, but it’s fattening. I must dance this evening. (Colline gets up.)RODOLFO Full already?COLLINE I’m in a hurry. The King is waiting for me. MARCELLO RODOLFO, MARCELLO, SCHAUNARD COLLINE MARCELLO. RODOLFO, SCHAUNARD COLLINE |
| SCHAUNARD Pass me the goblet.MARCELLO Here. Drink. I’ll eat.SCHAUNARD By the leave… of this noble company…RODOLFO and MARCELLO Enough!MARCELLO Weakling! COLLINE MARCELLO COLLINE SCHAUNARD THE OTHERS SCHAUNARD |
| THE OTHERS Yes.SCHAUNARD Dance with vocal accompaniment!COLLINE Let the hall be cleared. A gavotte.MARCELLO Minuet.RODOLFO Pavane. SCHAUNARD COLLINE RODOLFO COLLINE SCHAUNARD RODOLFO |
| MARCELLO Please, sir, respect my modesty.COLLINE Balancez.SCHAUNARD The Rond comes first.COLLINE No, damn it.SCHAUNARD What boorish manners! COLLINE SCHAUNARD COLLINE SCHAUNARD |
| COLLINE And a graveyard too!RODOLFO and MARCELLO While the battle rages, the dancers circle and leap. (Musetta enters.)MARCELLO Musetta!MUSETTA Mimì’s here…she’s coming and she’s ill.RODOLFO Where is she? MUSETTA RODOLFO SCHAUNARD RODOLFO |
| MIMÌ Rodolfo.RODOLFO Rest now. Don’t speak.MIMÌ O my Rodolfo! You want me here with you?RODOLFO Ah! My Mimì! Always, always!MUSETTA (aside, to the others) I heard Mimì had fled from the Viscount and was dying. Where was she? I sought her… Just now I saw her in the street stumbling along. She said: “I can’t last long. I know I’m dying… But I want to die with him… Perhaps he’s waiting for me… ” MARCELLO MIMÌ MUSETTA |
| MIMÌ Let me look around. How wonderful it is here. I’ll recover… I will… I feel life here again. You won’t leave me ever…RODOLFO Beloved lips, you speak to me again.MUSETTA What is there in the house?MARCELLO Nothing.MUSETTA No coffee? No wine? MARCELLO SCHAUNARD MIMÌ RODOLFO |
| MIMÌ It’s just a little cough. I’m used to it. Hello, Marcello, Schaunard, Colline… All of you are here, smiling at Mimì.RODOLFO Don’t speak, don’t…MIMÌ I’ll speak softly. Don’t fear. Marcello, believe me - Musetta is so good.MARCELLO (holds Musetta’s hand) I know. I know.MUSETTA (gives her earrings to Marcello) Here. Sell them. Bring back some cordial and send the doctor! RODOLFO MIMÌ RODOLFO |
| MUSETTA Listen! Perhaps it’s the poor thing’s last request. I’ll get the muff. I’m coming with you.MARCELLO How good you are, Musetta. (Marcello and Musetta go out.)COLLINE (taking off his greatcoat) Listen, my venerable coat, I’m staying behind, you’ll go on to greater heights. I give you my thanks. You never bowed your worn back to the rich or powerful. You held in your pockets poets and philosophers as if in tranquil grottoes… Now that those happy times have fled, I bid you farewell, faithful old friend. Farewell. (He puts the bundle under his arm, then whispers to Schaunard:) Schaunard, each separately, let’s combine two kindly acts; mine is this…and you… leave the two of them alone.SCHAUNARD Philosopher, you’re right! I’ll go along. (They leave.) |
| MIMÌ Have they gone? I pretended to sleep because I wanted to be alone with you. I’ve so many things to tell you, or just one thing - huge as the sea, deep and infinite as the sea. .. I love you…you’re all my life.RODOLFO Ah! my beautiful Mimì!MIMÌ Am I beautiful still?RODOLFO Beautiful as the dawn.MIMÌ You’ve mistaken the image: you should have said, beautiful as the sunset. “They call me Mimì… but I don’t know why.” RODOLFO MIMÌ |
| RODOLFO Do I remember!MIMÌ The light had gone out.RODOLFO You were so upset. Then you lost your key…MIMÌ And you knelt to hunt for it!RODOLFO I searched and searched… MIMÌ RODOLFO MIMÌ |
| RODOLFO Good God! Mimì! (Schaunard enters at that moment.)SCHAUNARD What’s wrong?MIMÌ Nothing. I’m fine.RODOLFO Please…don’t talk.MIMÌ Yes, yes forgive me. Now I’ll be good. (Marcello and Musetta come back, then Colline. Musetta sets a candle on the table.) MUSETTA RODOLFO MARCELLO MIMÌ MUSETTA |
| MIMÌ Oh, how lovely and soft it is. No more, no more…my hands all ugly and cold…The warmth will heal them. (to Rodolfo) Did you give it to me?MUSETTA Yes, he did.MIMÌ You spendthrift! Thank you…but the cost… You’re crying? I’m well. Why are you crying like this? Here, beloved…with you always! My hands…the warmth…to sleep. (Silence.)RODOLFO What did the doctor say?MARCELLO He’s coming. MUSETTA |
| That’s better. Let her get well, Holy Mother, I know I’m unworthy of forgiveness, but Mimì is an angel come down from heaven.RODOLFO I still have hope. You think it’s serious?MUSETTA I don’t think so. (Schaunard approaches the bed.)SCHAUNARD (softly to Marcello) Marcello, she’s dead.COLLINE (enters, and gives money to Musetta) Here, Musetta. How is she? RODOLFO MARCELLO RODOLFO THE END |
Reproduced with express permission from http://www.murashev.com/opera/
Peter Lutz, opera inside, the online opera guide to LA BOHEME by Giacomo Puccini
This post is also available in: German
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