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The action takes place in Paris, in the Latin Quarter, around the year 1830. On Christmas Eve, the painter Marcello and the poet Rodolfo are joined in their garret by the philosopher Colline, and then the musician Schaunard. When the landlord arrives, they offer him drink and joke with him until he leaves without having collected the rent. The friends decide to go out to a café, but Rodolfo stays behind, hoping to finish an article he was writing. There is a knock at the door and the seamstress Mimì asks for a light for her handle. She and Rodolfo fall in love.
A happy crowd is gathered outside the Café Momus. Mimì, wearing a new bonnet Rodolfo bought for her, is introduced to all the friends. Musetta, Marcelloâs former lover, arrives with her elderly admirer Alcindoro. She flirts with Marcello, the old love is rekindled, and they all go away, leaving Alcindoro with a hefty check.
Some weeks later, Mimì comes to look for Marcello; she had quarreled with Rodolfo and asks for Marcelloâs advice. After Rodolfo appears, she hides and overhears a conversation during which Rodolfo explains why he can no longer live with Mimì. He also adds that she is dying from consumption. A coughing spell reveals her hiding place and the two of them agree to stay together until spring.
In their garret, Rodolfo and Marcello, again separated from Musetta and Mimì, are in a gloomy mood, with thoughts constantly returning to the two women. They are joined by Colline and Schaunard, and soon engage in some spirited nonsense, until Musetta arives with news that Mimì has left her rich protector and is extremely ill and would like to spend her last hours with Rodolfo. She is helped in; Marcello is sent out to pawn Musettaâs earrings for some cordial; Colline goes out to pawn his coat. Mimì reminisces about her happy days with Rodolfo and falls asleep. When Rodolfo goes to the other end of the room, the friends notice Mimì has died. After Rodolfo understands what has happened, he throws himself sobbing over Mimìâs body. |
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