La bohème

The world of Paris’s penniless bohemians is an unhappy one. The air is freezing in the garrets above the city’s rooftops where they live. Four friends, Rodolfo, Marcello, Colline and Schaunard, intend to see out Christmas Eve in a cafe when suddenly their dire financial situation improves. Rodolfo stays behind when the friends go out to celebrate. A meeting between him and his neighbour Mimi helps to thaw out the ice-cold garret. Exchanging intimacies, they find themselves falling in love. But this burgeoning romance is afflicted by misery and death. Rodolfo quickly finds himself unable to look after an ill Mimi, and a grotesque argument leads to their separation. When, after some months, they meet again, Rodolfo and his friends only have time to grant the dying Mimi one last wish.

Synopsis

Scenes of »La vie de Bohème« (Henri Murger) by Giacomo Puccini in four images. Performed in Italian with German surtitles.

Running time 2 hours 25 minutes

Premiere 23 Oct 1983

Next Performances / Casting