La Bohème, by Giacomo Puccini

OPERA SUMMARY

On Christmas Eve in 1830s Paris, four penniless friends share a freezing garret: the poet Rodolfo, the painter Marcello, the musician Schaunard, and the philosopher Colline. When the others go out, Rodolfo stays to write, and a neighbor, the frail seamstress Mimì, knocks to have her candle relit. In the dark, they meet, fall in love, and join the others at the Café Momus. There, Marcello's former lover, the flirtatious Musetta, turns up with a rich admirer and wins Marcello back. By a snowy February, Rodolfo's love has turned to torment. Mimì is dying of consumption, and he, too poor to keep her warm, claims jealousy to push her away. They agree to part in the spring, while Marcello and Musetta quarrel. In the final act, Rodolfo and Marcello are back in the garret, each mourning his lost love. Musetta bursts in with news that Mimì, gravely ill, has begged to come back. Friends sell their belongings to buy medicine, but it is too late. Mimì dies as Rodolfo calls her name.

Act II: Musetta's Waltz

On Christmas Eve in Paris's Latin Quarter, the Café Momus is crowded with revelers. At one table sit the poor young artists Marcello and Rodolfo and their friends, who have just been joined by Rodolfo's new love, the seamstress Mimì. Into the café sweeps Musetta, a dazzling, flirtatious singer and Marcello's former lover, on the arm of a wealthy, elderly admirer, Alcindoro.

Marcello tries to ignore her, so Musetta launches into a waltz for the whole room. When she walks alone along the street, she sings, people stop and stare, and she savors the longing in their eyes. But every phrase is aimed at Marcello. Why does he run from her? He won't speak his pain, she sings, but she knows he feels he is dying. His resolve crumbles, and Musetta, having sent Alcindoro off on an errand, falls into his arms.