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Act I
On the night before Christmas, in a cold and cheerless Paris garret shared by several Bohemians, including Rodolfo and Marcello, they are burning anything they have to hand in the stove to keep warm, even pages from the manuscript of Rodolpho's tragedy. Enter Colline, who has been unable to pawn some books, as he intended, since the shop was closed for Christmas. The three are huddling around the dying fire when Schaunard enters, bearing wine, bread and a few more food items, firewood and a few coins. Rodolfo, Marcello and Colline still think they are seeing a mirage as the musician tells them all these delicacies and luxuries were bought with part of the money he earned from an engagement for a wealthy foreigner.
While Schaunard is relating his adventures, the others are about to fall ravenously on the food; but in the end they decide to keep it for when they have no money and, since it is evening, to go out to eat in the Latin Quarter. Just as they are about to leave, there is a knock at the door: Benoît, the landlord, has come for the long-overdue rent. Marcello promises him they will pay, but not before having a festive round of wine. After downing his second glass, Benoît confesses to them his amorous flings, whereupon the Bohemians throw him out empty-handed in mock indignation. When the coast is clear, they too go out, minus Rodolfo, who stays behind to finish an article he has to write, saying he will join them later.
Alone in the garret, Rodolfo has started to write when there is another knock at the door. This time it is Mimi, who lives in another room. A gust of wind had blown her candle out, plunging her into darkness, and she asks the poet to relight it. Rodolfo is much taken with her, but the pale, breathless young woman is fainting from weakness. The Bohemian poet revives her, and she makes for the door, only to realize that she has lost her key. Another gust of wind extinguishes the candle that Rodolfo had relit for her. Rodolfo cannily extinguishes his own candle too and, finding the key on the floor, quietly pockets it so that she has no choice but to stay. Just at that moment, Rodolfo's friends call up to him from the street below; Rodolfo asks Mimi to go with them to the Café Momus. She agrees and the two leave after singing a love duet.
Act II
They make their way through the bustling streets of the Latin Quarter of Paris to the Café Momus. Rodolfo introduces Mimi to his friends, who admit her into their circle, laughing and joking. She shows them a little bonnet that Rodolfo bought her on the way there. While they are eating, Marcello's old flame Musetta appears. Overdressed, she has in tow wealthy, elderly Alcindoro, whom she keeps ordering about, trying to get Marcello's attention. Her frivolous singing arouses poor Marcello's jealousy. To get Alcindoro out of the way, Musetta uses the pretext of an ill-fitting shoe to send him to the cobbler's. As the Republican Guard march past, Musetta tells the waiter Alcindoro will pay for everything when he returns, and makes off with Marcello and the rest of the group.
Act III
Paris is in the grip of winter. The action takes place at a tollgate on the outskirts of the city, the Barrière de L'enfer, in an inn where Marcello and Musetta are lodging. Mimi enters, numb with cold and asking for Rodolfo, who has left her. Rodolfo is there, asleep, but Mimi decides she won't see him. When Rodolfo wakes up, he tells Marcello that he left Mimi because she cheated on him with a viscount, but the painter doesn't believe the poet. Then Rodolfo confesses that the real reason he ended his relationship with Mimi is her illness. It's getting worse and worse and Rodolfo has neither the money to treat her nor the courage to watch her die. Mimi, who is eavesdropping on the conversation, gives herself away by coughing. She decides to finish with Rodolfo, reminding him that she is leaving with him the little bonnet he bought her. Despite the high drama of the scene, they make up and decide that they will be together in the garret until spring comes. Meanwhile, Marcello and Musetta quarrel after he catches her flirting with a patron of the inn, and she flounces off.
Act IV
It is springtime in Paris, and Marcello and Rodolfo are still trying to work in the garret. They pine for their beloveds and feign indifference to the ladies' imagined prosperity. Colline and Schaunard arrive with something for dinner and they all sit down at the table, joking and pretending to be at a high society function. A breathless Musetta bursts in ahead of Mimi, who is close to death. They all come to Mimi's aid. Colline decides to pawn his overcoat; Musetta sends Marcello to sell her earrings and bring back a muff for Mimi's chilled hands, and to fetch a doctor. They all go out on errands to make Mimi comfortable. Rodolfo and Mimi, alone together, reminisce about the first flush of their love. With Mimi rapidly fading, they all return with their errands accomplished. Rodolfo is the last to realize that Mimi has died. He falls sobbing onto the bed where she lies.
Cast and Creative team for La bohème (G. Puccini) at Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall, Auditorium
Rodolfo, a poet (tenor)
Schaunard, a musician (baritone)
Benoît, the landlord (bass)
Mimi (soprano)
Marcello, a painter (baritone)
Colline, a philosopher (bass)
Alcindoro, a Councillor of State (bass)
Musetta (soprano)
Parpignol, a street vendor (tenor)
A customs-house sergeant (bass)
A doganiere (customs officer) (bass)
Schaunard, a musician (baritone)
Benoît, the landlord (bass)
Mimi (soprano)
Marcello, a painter (baritone)
Colline, a philosopher (bass)
Alcindoro, a Councillor of State (bass)
Musetta (soprano)
Parpignol, a street vendor (tenor)
A customs-house sergeant (bass)
A doganiere (customs officer) (bass)
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