La bohème 1964

Synopsis
Artists

Jealousy and poverty cannot diminish the Bohemian’s comradeship…

…nor Rodolfo’s bond of love that gives Mimì ultimate peace. Puccini’s enduring love story illuminates the lives of struggling artists in 1830’s Paris.

Music By

Giacomo Puccini

Libretto By

Giacosa and Illica

Englisg Version By

Ruth and Thomas Martin

Act I

Marcello, an artist, and Rodolfo, a poet, try to keep warm in their Latin Quarter garret on Christmas Eve by feeding the stove pages from Rodolfo’s drama. Before long, they are joined by their roommates, Colline, a philosopher, and Schaunard, a musician, who arrive bringing food and money. In high spirits, all but Rodolfo leave for the Café Momus; he promises to join them later. A young neighbor, Mimi, enters requesting a light for her candle which has gone out. As she is about to leave, she discovers that she has lost her room key and her candle is again blown out by a draft from the door. Rodolfo blows out his own candle and the two search for the key in the now-darkened room. He takes Mimi’s hand and tells her of his dreams, and she tells him of her simple life. The others call from the street and Mimi and Rodolfo decide to go to the Café together.

Act II

Amid the cries of street vendors, Rodolfo buys Mimi a bonnet inside the Café Momus. The poet introduces Mimi to his friends and they select a table for their Christmas Eve celebration. Musetta, Marcello’s former sweetheart, makes a spirited entrance on the arm of her rich new admirer, the elderly Alcindoro. At first she teases Marcello, and then, pretending that her shoe pinches, sends Alcindoro to have it repaired. As Alcindoro returns, the others run off leaving him with the bill from the Café.

Act III

Mimi enters in search of the Inn where Marcello and Musetta are now living. Mimi tells Marcello of Rodolfo’s incessant jealousy and says that they must part. Rodolfo comes out and Mimi hides, listening. The poet tells Marcello that he must separate from Mimi because her illness can only grow worse in the poverty in which they are living. Mimi comes out of her hiding place to bid farewell to Rodolfo. They exchange memories of their happiness, and decide to stay together for the winter.

Act IV

Separated from their lovers, Rodolfo and Marcello try to work but find it difficult to concentrate. Colline and Schaunard join them and the four stage a mock ball. Suddenly, Musetta rushes in, announcing that Mimi is dying and has asked to return to the garret where she and Rodolfo have been so happy. Rodolfo and Mimi are left alone and recall happier times together. As the others return with food and medicine, Mimi dies.

Synopsis

Act I

Act II

Act III

Act IV

Artists

Doris Yarick

Doris Yarick

Stanley Kolk

Stanley Kolk

Glade Peterson

Glade Peterson

Russell Christopher

Russell Christopher

William Metcalf

William Metcalf

Nadja Witkowska

Nadja Witkowska

John West

John West

Adib Fazah

Adib Fazah

Gimi Beni

Gimi Beni

Paul Franke

Paul Franke

Michael Chang

Michael Chang

Ludlow Hallman

Ludlow Hallman

Thomas Jamerson

Thomas Jamerson

Werner Torkanowsky

Werner Torkanowsky

John Crosby

John Crosby

Andrew Foldi

Andrew Foldi

Henry Heymann

Henry Heymann

Georg Schreiber

Georg Schreiber

John Moriarty

John Moriarty

La bohème 1964