La bohème

The poet Rodolfo shares a humble apartment in the Quartier Latin artists' district in Paris with the painter Marcello, the musician Schaunard and the philosopher Colline. When they meet by accident, Rodolfo and his neighbour Mimì fall hopelessly in love with each other, but arguments, jealousy and Mimì's steadily deteriorating state of health will soon test the happiness of the two lovers to the utmost.

For the composer Giacomo Puccini and his librettists Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, the »Scènes de la vie de bohème« by Henri Murger were the source of inspiration for the opera »La bohème«, premiered in 1896. The composer felt that the original stories not only provided the »ideal material for an opera« full of love, jealousy and strong emotions but also had the potential to move audiences to tears through his music.

Programmheft LA BOHÈME Leseprobe