E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Keith M. Eckrich, and the Project
Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team
An Opera in Four Acts
Libretto by
G. GIACOSA and L. ILLICA
English Version by
W. GRIST and P. PINKERTON
Music by
GIACOMO PUCCINI
RUDOLPH (a poet) Tenor
SCHAUNARD (a musician) Baritone
BENOIT (a landlord) Bass
MIMI Soprano
PARPIGNOL Tenor
MARCEL (a painter) Baritone
COLLINE (a philosopher) Bass
ALCINDORO (a councilor of state) Bass
MUSETTA Soprano
CUSTOM-HOUSE SERGEANT Bass
Students, Work Girls, Citizens, Shopkeepers, Street Vendors, Soldiers,
Restaurant Waiters, Boys, Girls, etc.
The opera is founded on Henri Murger's book "La Vie de Bohème."
Rudolph and Marcel are sitting in the latter's attic-studio in theQuartier Latin, in Paris. Marcel is absorbed in his painting. The dayis cold. They have no money to buy coal. Marcel takes a chair to burnit, when Rudolph remembers that he has a manuscript which has beenrejected by the publishers and lights a fire with that instead.Colline enters, looking abject and miserable. He had gone out to pawnhis books, but nobody wanted them. Their friend, Schaunard, however,had better luck. He comes bringing fuel and provisions. They allprepare their meal, when the landlord enters and demands the paymentof his rent. The friends offer him a glass of wine and turn him outamidst joking and laughter. After their gay repast they separate andRudolph remains alone writing.
A knock is heard at the door and Mimi, a little seamstress, who liveson the same floor, appears and asks Rudolph to give her a match tolight her candle. As she is about to go out, she falls in a faint.Rudolph gives her wine and restores her to consciousness. She tellshim that she suffers from consumption. Rudolph is struck by her beautyand her delicate hands. She notices that she has lost her key andwhilst they search for it their candles are extinguished. As theygrope on the floor in the dark, Rudolph finds the key and puts it inhis pocket. Their hands meet and Rudolph tries to warm her hands andtells her all about his life. Mimi confides her struggles to him andtheir conversation soon turns upon their love for each other.
Rudolph's friends have repaired to their favorite Café. It isChristmas Eve and everyone is in festive spirits. All the shops arebright and displaying their goods. Hawkers offer their goods for salein the streets. Rudolph and Mimi are seen entering a milliner's whereRudolph is to buy her a new hat. Colline, Schaunard and Marcel taketheir seats in front of the Café, where a table has been prepared forthem. Rudolph introduces Mimi to his friends. Musetta, Marcel's flame,with whom he has quarrelled, now enters with Alcindoro. Marcel isdeeply moved when he sees her. Musetta notices this and sendsAlcindoro on an errand. Whilst he is away, she makes peace withMarcel. The friends find that they have not sufficient money to payf