SYNOPSIS

Act One

It is Christmas Eve in the Latin Quarter of Paris, 1830. CD 1 1–2 In the garret studio which they share, Marcello, a painter, and Rodolfo, a poet, are at work. Both are feeling the bitter cold, but there is no fuel for the stove until Rodolfo decides to burn a manuscript of his. 3–4 Their companion, the philosopher Colline, joins them and together they enjoy the heat from the stove. The fire soon goes out, however, causing the others to boo the author.

5 Suddenly two errand boys come in carrying food, wine, cigars and fuel, and the fourth bohemian, the musician Schaunard, follows them. He puts on the table the money left over from his purchases and explains how he earned it. His companions pay no attention to his story but prepare the table for dinner. Schaunard finally realises what they are doing and recommends that, as it is Christmas Eve, they eat out.

6–7 Benoît, the landlord, comes unexpectedly to the door: the rent is due. Marcello brings the old man in, letting him see the money on the table, but Benoît soon forgets the purpose of his visit as the bohemians ply him with drink and encourage him to boast of his success with women. When he mentions that he is married, however, they pretend to be scandalised and take the opportunity to bundle him out of the room. Rodolfo decides to stay behind to finish writing an article while the others prepare to go out; they are to wait for him at the concierge’s. Left alone,

Rodolfo finds that he is not in the mood for writing 8 and a timid knock at the door interrupts his efforts. His neighbour, Mimì, has called to ask for a light for her candle. As she comes in she almost faints and drops her candle and the key to her room. Rodolfo retrieves the candle and lights it for her. She turns to go 9 but suddenly remembers her key, the draught blows the candle out again and Rodolfo surreptitiously blows his own out as well. Together they feel for the key in the dark. Rodolfo finds it and quickly conceals it and 10 finally succeeds in touching Mimì’s hand. He proceeds to tell her about himself; 11 in return, she tells him about herself. 12 Rodolfo’s friends shout up to him, and going to the window, he calls down to them to go on to the Café Momus where he will meet up with them. 13 He turns back to find Mimì standing in the moonlight and they realise they have fallen in love. They leave together to join Rodolfo’s friends.

Act Two

14 Outside the Café Momus, the pavement is crowded with customers seated at tables and surrounded by street vendors. Mimì and Rodolfo, on the way to the café, stop at a milliner’s shop where Rodolfo buys her a pink bonnet. 15 –16 They meet up with the others and Mimì is introduced with mock formality.

17 The bohemians’ peace is rudely shattered when Musetta, an old flame of Marcello’s, passes by with her companion, the elderly and rich Alcindoro de Mitonneaux. Seeing Marcello, she makes Alcindoro stop and take a table at the café, then she tries to attract Marcello’s attention. 18 Her performance becomes more exaggerated, causing acute embarrassment to Alcindoro and gradually wearing down Marcello’s resistance. 19 She screams that her shoe is too tight and, as the accommodating old man goes off to the cobbler’s, she falls into Marcello’s arms. The bohemians are handed their bill, 20 but they have already spent all Schaunard’s money. A military tattoo marches past the cafe, and the bohemians and the two girls triumphantly depart, leaving the bill for Alcindoro to pay.

Act Three CD 2 1–3 At the Barrière d’Enfer, one of the toll gates of Paris, on a cold dawn the following February. Marcello and Musetta are living in a tavern,4 and Mimì has come to ask Marcello for advice on her crumbling relationship with Rodolfo. She complains to him of Rodolfo’s acute jealousy and Marcello advises her to leave him. Rodolfo has come up earlier that morning to go to the tavern and is now inside asleep on a bench.

5–6 As he wakens and comes out to speak to Marcello, Mimì hides close by and overhears the true reason for Rodolfo’s behaviour when he explains to Marcello that the girl is dangerously ill, and perhaps close to death. Mimì is struck by a coughing fit and Rodolfo, seeing her, runs to help.

A shriek of laughter from Musetta inside the tavern immediately arouses Marcello’s suspicions and he races in to confront her. 7 Mimì tells Rodolfo that she is going to leave him. She asks him to parcel up her belongings but allows him to keep the pink bonnet as a memento. 8 They agree to part only when winter is over, while Musetta and Marcello, bursting out of the tavern, end their relationship with shouts of abuse.

Act Four

The garret, that spring. 9–10 Marcello and Rodolfo, now separated from Musetta and Mimì, are pretending to work. In reality they are merely gossiping and are obviously still in love with the girls. 11 Schaunard and Colline come in with the most meagre of suppers which the bohemians serve and eat with comic solemnity. 12 –13 After supper there is dancing. Colline and Schaunard swap insults, challenge each other and embark on a duel with tongs and shovel.

14 Suddenly Musetta appears at the door. She says that Mimì is outside, too weak to girl. While Rodolfo looks after Mimì, Musetta explains how she had heard that Mimì was dying and how, once found, she had asked to be taken to Rodolfo. The bohemians have no food to offer. Musetta gives Marcello her earrings to sell to pay for medicine and a doctor. She then decides to go with him to buy a muff for Mimì. 15 Colline chooses to help by pawning his overcoat and, as he goes, asks Schaunard also to leave the garret for a while.

16 Mimì and Rodolfo, alone together, remember the love they shared and how they first met. The others gradually return, and as Mimì drifts into sleep, & Musetta kneels and prays for her. When Colline comes back and asks about Mimì, Rodolfo slowly realises from the atmosphere in the room what the rest have already understood. Mimì is dead.

Kenneth Chalmers