La Bohème

Washington National Opera

October 1, 2011, 1:00 pm

Composer: Giacomo Puccini
Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume

Cast:

Vittorio Grigolo (Rodolfo), Adriana Damato (Mimì), Hyung Yun (Marcello), Nicole Cabell (Musetta), Mariusz Treliński (Director).

It's hard to say which of Puccini's many popular operas has been his greatest hit, but La Boheme is surely a prime candidate. It's a simple drama, involving common people. But their feelings are portrayed so deeply, and so vividly, that their emotions soon become ours, and their heartbreaks seem as wrenching as our own.

Additional information

Act I
In a garret apartment, Marcello is viewing his works while Rodolfo gazes out of the window.
They are cold, and bored to death. The thought of burning Rodolfo’s manuscripts excites
them; Rodolfo throws the pages on the floor and sets the fire. Colline enters and is intrigued
by the situation. Then Schaunard arrives, showing off the cash he’s earned by doing away
with a parrot for an English gentleman.
The four bohemians decide to use the money to eat out. Suddenly, they hear a knock at the
door. It is Benoit, the landlord, who’s come to collect the rent. Plying the older man with
wine, they get him to reveal an embarrassing affair, then throw him out in mock indignation.
Marcello, Colline and Schaunard set off for the Café Momus to celebrate, but Rodolfo remains
alone in order to work. There is another knock. It is a neighbor, Mimì, in search of a light for
her candle. She faints, and Rodolfo revives her and offers her some wine. He relights her candle,
and she starts to leave, but then cries out that she has lost her key. The truth is that she wanted
to meet Rodolfo. She is deathly ill and has decided to spend the last days of her life with him.
Rodolfo and Mimì tell each other their stories (‘Che gelida manina’; ‘Mi chiamano Mimì’)
and find they are falling in love. Outside, Rodolfo’s friends call him impatiently. Arm in arm,
Mimì and Rodolfo leave for the café. (‘O soave fanciulla’)

Act II
A great crowd gathers in Café Momus, including Marcello, Colline, and Schaunard. They are
joined by Rodolfo, who introduces Mimì to his friends. They all enjoy the performance of
Parpignol.
Suddenly, Marcello’s former lover, Musetta, enters ostentatiously on the arm of the elderly,
wealthy Alcindoro. She makes a fuss with her exuberant behavior, shouting at the waiters and
breaking a vase into pieces. Alcindoro attempts to calm her down, but she is trying her best to
attract Marcello’s attention. (‘Quando me’n vo’) Eventually, she gets rid of Alcindoro and falls
into Marcello’s arms. The dances begin.
Music is heard outside; the light of fireworks glitters in the sky. The guests join in a merry
procession and leave the café. In the empty room, Rodolfo and Mimì are left kissing.

Act III
At dawn on the street, Mimì walks by as if she were looking for someone. She meets
Marcello in the entrance to a tavern. She tells him of her hard life with Rodolfo, who has just
abandoned her; she presumes their relationship is over. Marcello tries to soothe her.
When Rodolfo emerges, she conceals herself for a while. Finally, Rodolfo lets on that he left
Mimì because he is frightened by the deadly illness consuming her. Mimì falls into her lover’s
arms. It seems as if Rodolfo and Mimì will reconcile and delay their separation. (‘Donde lieta
uscì’) While Rodolfo and Mimì recall their happiness, Musetta quarrels with Marcello. After an
exchange of insults, Marcello and Musetta part in fury.

Act IV
Back in the garret, Rodolfo and Marcello try to seem busy at work, though they are really
mourning the loss of their respective lovers. (‘Ah, Mimì, tu più non torni’) Schaunard and
Colline arrive. Their good mood is contagious.
Suddenly, Musetta bursts in saying that Mimì is downstairs, begging to be taken to her lover
to die. The friends realize that there is no hope for Mimì.
Rodolfo and Mimì, left alone, recall their first days together. (‘Sono andati?’) Once again, they
talk of love and happiness. When the others return, it seems to Rodolfo that Mimì falls asleep.
But then he discovers she is dead. Horrified, he cries out her name: “Mimì, Mimì, Mimì…”

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