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A quick overview of Puccini’s 1895 passionate melodrama.

Premiered

1895

Music by

Giacomo Puccini

Libretto by

Luigi Illica and
Giuseppe Giacosai

Language

Italian

Long before becoming one of the most well-known operas in operatic history, Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème had an encumbered beginning.

When Puccini began to contemplate on opera based on Henry Murger’s novel Scènes de la via de bohème, he was already toying with the idea of turning Giovanni Verga’s La lupa into an opera. At the same time, Puccini was spending much time abroad supervising performances of Manon Lescaut. On top of that, Ruggero Leoncavallo, who composed Pagliacci, accused Puccini of stealing his idea for such an opera. Though Puccini refuted the allegations, he embraced the opportunity to compete for the public’s favor in a sort of “opera duel.”

After tossing aside La lupa and laboring through numerous versions of the Bohème libretto with Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica, Puccini began to compose the opera in 1894. Two years later, La Bohème premiered at Teatro Regio di Torino, where Manon Lescaut had opened only a few years prior.

Despite a mixed response from audiences, the opera spread quickly throughout Europe and is now one of the most commonly performed works in the repertory.

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 and find they are falling in love. Outside, Rodolfo’s friends call him impatiently. Arm in arm, Mimì and Rodolfo leave for the café.

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. 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…”

Listen to the Story

Detail of 1895 advertisement for the music score of Puccini’s La bohème, showing the quartette in the third act between Marcello, Musetta, Mimi, and Roldolpho [].

Presented by Washington National Opera, host Saul Lilienstein takes you through the musical world of Puccini’s 1895 passionate melodrama, La Bohème.

Watch an Excerpt

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