La Vie de Bohème

Please dim the brightness and silence your device for the duration of the performance. Video/audio recording of this production is prohibited.

December 6–December 15, 2024

Opera in Four Acts, sung in English and Italian with surtitle projections. Music by Giacomo Puccini | Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. Based on the novel Scènes de la vie de bohème by Henri Murger.

The Cast

Cover Cast

Production Staff

Crew

  • Melissa Mader | Stage Manager
  • EJ Smith | Stage Manager
  • Ray Raymond | Lead Carpenter
  • Wade Smith | Assistant Carpenter, Associate Producer (Grant Writing)
  • Lauren Armstrong | Executive Producer
  • Gene Allen | Executive Producer
  • Rick Knight | Associate Producer
  • Tammy Rogers | Associate Producer
  • Susan Gardiner | Wardrobe/Concessions
  • Rishabh Bajekal | Church Administrator
  • Fran Gardner-Smith | Rector, St. Thomas
  • Will Drosos | Assistant Rector, St. Thomas

Sponsors

Arts Fairfax
McLean Community Foundation

Synopsis

The two prologues and short narrative between Acts 3 & 4 are taken directly from Murger's novel "La Vie de Bohème", the novel on which Puccini based his opera.

How the Bohemian Club was formed

A Musician, a Poet, a Painter and a Philosopher meet each other in the Latin Quarter of Paris n the 1840s. They find that great minds do indeed think alike, and they embark upon an epic companionship that includes sharing quarters in a rooftop garrett.

In their garrett, the painter Marcello and poet Rodolfo try to keep warm on Christmas Eve by feeding the stove with pages from Rodolfo’s latest drama. They are soon joined by their roommates—Colline, a philosopher, and Schaunard, a musician, who brings food, fuel, and funds he has earned from an eccentric English gentleman. While they celebrate their good fortune, the landlord, Benoit, comes to collect the rent. After offering Benoit drinks, the friends urge him to tell of his flirtations, then throw him out in mock indignation at his infidelity to his wife, sans rent. As the others depart to revel at Café Momus, Rodolfo remains behind to finish an article, promising to join them soon. There is then a noise outside. It is Mimì, a young woman from a neighboring garret, whose candle has gone out in the stairwell. As she enters the room, she suddenly feels faint. Rodolfo gives her a sip of wine, then helps her to the door and relights her candle. Mimì realizes that she lost her key when she fainted, and as the two search for it, both candles go out. Rodolfo finds the key and slips it into his pocket. In the moonlight, he takes Mimì’s hand and tells her about his dreams. She recounts her life alone in a drafty garret, embroidering flowers and waiting for the spring. Rodolfo’s friends call from outside, telling him to join them. He responds that he is not alone. Happy to have found each other, Mimì and Rodolfo leave, arm in arm, for the café.

Near Café Momus, Rodolfo buys Mimì a bonnet and introduces her to his friends. They all sit down and order supper. Marcello’s former sweetheart, Musetta, makes a noisy entrance on the arm of the wealthy Alcindoro who has bought her luxurious clothes and a dog. Trying to gain Marcello’s attention, Musetta sings the praises of her own popularity. Sending Alcindoro away to buy her a new pair of shoes, Musetta finally falls into Marcello’s arms. Soldiers march in tattoo by the café, and as the bohemians fall in behind, the returning Alcindoro is presented with the check.

The Bohemians have found domestic bliss, however, it is not fated to last for long.

Mimì searches for Rodolfo at Marcello and Musetta’s new dwelling. When the painter appears, she tells him of her distress over Rodolfo’s incessant jealousy. As Rodolfo emerges from the tavern, Mimì hides nearby. Rodolfo tells Marcello that he wants to separate from Mimì, blaming her coquetry. Pressed for the real reason, he breaks down, saying that her illness can only grow worse in the poverty they share. Overcome with emotion, Mimì coughs and reveals her presence. She emerges to say goodbye to her love. Marcello runs back into the tavern upon hearing Musetta’s laughter. While Mimì and Rodolfo recall past happiness, Marcello returns with Musetta, quarreling loudly. They hurl insults at each other, but Mimì and Rodolfo decide to remain together until springtime.

Seasons have passed and it is winter again in the garret. Rodolfo and Marcello, now separated from their girlfriends, reflect on their loneliness. Colline and Schaunard bring a meager meal. To lighten their spirits, the four stage a dance, which turns into a mock duel. At the height of the hilarity, Musetta bursts in with news that Mimì is outside, too weak to come upstairs. As Rodolfo rushes to comfort Mimì, Musetta relates to the others how Mimì desperately wanted to return to Rodolfo to die. She is made as comfortable as possible, while Musetta asks Marcello to sell her earrings for medicine and Colline goes off to pawn his overcoat. Left alone, Mimì and Rodolfo recall their meeting and their first happy days, but she is seized with violent coughing. When the others return, Musetta gives Mimì a muff to warm her hands, and Mimì slowly drifts into unconsciousness. Musetta prays for Mimì, but it is too late. The friends realize that she is dead, and Rodolfo collapses in despair.

Composer

Giacomo Puccini

Giacomo Puccini

(1858-1924)

A master of Italian opera, Giacomo Puccini is renowned for his ability to fuse poignant melodies with dramatic storytelling. Born in Lucca, Italy, Puccini hailed from a family of musicians ... Read More

Support Us

Your generosity keeps the classical performing arts alive. Thank you for supporting our performances!

© 2024 Copyright Shakespeare Opera Theatre | built and designed by thePixelPixie.com