La bohème (1991)

The action takes place in Paris over a year’s time.

ACT ONE: Christmas Eve. Café Momus.

Gaudenzio, the proprietor of the Café Momus, has lost all patience with the Bohemians; they use his café as their studio, salon, and concert hall—and hardly ever spend any money. Schaunard assures him that tonight, at least, will be profitable; they are entertaining friends.

Rodolfo, Marcello, and Colline arrive and are soon joined by Schaunard’s lover, Eufemia; she enters with Mimi, who is the lover of Rodolfo. Mimi introduces her friend Musette, and Marcello instantly falls in love with her.

After a substantial dinner, it becomes clear that the Bohemians cannot pay their bill. A stranger, Barbemuche, offers to pay it for them; but Rodolfo objects on principle. Schaunard proposes instead that he and Barbemuche play billiards for the bill; when he wins, the Bohemians’ honor remains intact and Barbemuche pays for the dinner.

April 15. The Courtyard of Musette’s Apartment.

Musette has been evicted; she has been living with a rich banker who is disgusted at her affair with Marcello and has stopped paying her rent. M. Durand, the concierge, is piling her belongings outside in the courtyard. She is distressed when she remembers that she has invited guests to a party that night; but the Bohemians urge her to go ahead and have it in the open air. Viscount Paolo, a rich friend of Barbemuche, tempts Mimi to leave Rodolfo and run away with him; when the party is in full swing and the Bohemians are doing battle with the tenants in the neighborhood who are trying to sleep, Mimi and the Viscount slip away.

October. Marcello’s Attic

Schaunard has broken off his relationship with Eufemia, and Rodolfo is heartbroken at the faithlessness of Mimi. Musette, who has been living with Marcello, decides she can no longer bear the hunger and deprivation of Bohemian life; when he leaves on an errand with Schaunard, she writes him a farewell letter.

Suddenly, Mimi appears; she wants to return to Rodolfo. Musette insists that if she does so, she faces a life of poverty and hunger. Mimi withdraws as Marcello returns with Musette’s letter in hand; he and Musette acknowledge their love, but he soon sees that she is resolute in her determination to leave him. He is enraged and accuses her of infidelity. When he discovers Mimi hiding, he assumes that she has persuaded Musette to leave him, and summons Rodolfo to witness her treachery. Rodolfo refuses to believe Mimi’s passionate declarations of love for him, and in despair, she leaves with Musette.

Christmas Eve. Rodolfo’s Attic.

Schaunard, Marcello, and Rodolfo are sharing a bleak Christmas, haunted by memories of happier times. Marcello has invited Musette to return just for a day, but so far, he has heard nothing. Mimi appears, sick and exhausted.

She has been abandoned by her lover, and although she is dying, she has been discharged from the hospital since she is unable to pay the bill. The Bohemians desperately try to save her; Musette arrives at last and gives them her jewelry to pay for medicine and a doctor, but it is too late.