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La Bohme is an opera in four acts, composed by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, based onScnes de la vie de bohmeby Henri Murger. world premiere performance ofLa bohme was in Turin on 1 February 1896 at the Teatro Regio and

conducted by the young Arturo Toscanini.

THE COMPOSERGiacomo Puccini

Puccini, or to give him his full name, Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo MariaPuccini was born into a musical family in the Italian town of Lucca in 1858. Four generations of

his family had been organists at the cathedral, and Puccini learned the family business early.

Puccini went on to write a string of masterpieces, including La Bohme, Tosca, Madama Butterfly,La Fanciulla del West, Gianni Schicchi and Turandot. He is now considered one of the greatcomposers in the history of opera.

THE LIBRETTISTSLuigi Illica (1857-1919)

Luigi Illica had a rough beginning. At an early age he ran away to sea and in 1876 he foundhimself fighting the Turks. Three years later, however, he moved to the relatively peaceful

enclave of Milan, Italy and there began his literary career, including a collection of prosesketches and plays.

He began writing librettos in 1889. While his work on three of Puccini's operas is recognized ashis chief contribution to the field, he also wrote librettos for several other composers, includingthose for Giordano'sAndrea Chenier (1896--the same year as La Bohme), an opera still popularand performed today, and two operas of Mascagni

Giuseppe Giacosa (1847-1906)Giuseppe Giacosa began his professional life, not as a writer, but as a lawyer. He graduated inlaw from Turin University and immediately joined his father's firm in Milan. He moved

permanently into the literary world, however, when his one-act verse comedy, Una partita ascacchi, became a popular success. From 1888-1894 Giacosa held the chair of literature anddramatic art at the Milan Conservatory.

ORIGIN OF THE STORYAccording to its title page, the libretto ofLa bohme is based on Henri Murger's novel,Scnes de la viede bohme, a collection of vignettes portraying young bohemians living in the Latin Quarter of Parisin the 1840s.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giacomo_Puccinihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Librettohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luigi_Illicahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giuseppe_Giacosahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Vie_de_Boh%C3%A8mehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Vie_de_Boh%C3%A8mehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Vie_de_Boh%C3%A8mehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Murgerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teatro_Regio_(Turin)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arturo_Toscaninihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Murgerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Vie_de_Boh%C3%A8mehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Vie_de_Boh%C3%A8mehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Vie_de_Boh%C3%A8mehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Vie_de_Boh%C3%A8mehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemianismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_Quarter,_Parishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_Quarter,_Parishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemianismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Vie_de_Boh%C3%A8mehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Vie_de_Boh%C3%A8mehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Murgerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arturo_Toscaninihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teatro_Regio_(Turin)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Murgerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Vie_de_Boh%C3%A8mehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giuseppe_Giacosahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luigi_Illicahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Librettohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giacomo_Puccinihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opera

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PERFORMANCE HISTORYThe world premire performance ofLa bohme took place in Turin on 1 February 1896 at the TeatroRegio and was conducted by the young Arturo Toscanini.

La Boheme was also performed in the following places:

Melbourne ,Monaco, Prato, Catania, Austria, SwedenCHARACTERS

Role Voice type Premiere cast, 1 February 1896(Conductor: Arturo Toscanini)

Rodolfo, a poet tenor Evan Gorga

Mim, a seamstress soprano Cesira Ferrani

Marcello, a painter baritone Tieste Wilmant

Musetta, a singer soprano Camilla Pasini

Schaunard, a musician baritone Antonio Pini-Corsi

Colline, a philosopher bass Michele Mazzara

Benot, their landlord bass Alessandro Polonini

Alcindoro, a state councillor bass Alessandro Polonini

Parpignol, a toy vendor tenor Dante Zucchi

A customs Sergeant bass Felice Fogli

Students, working girls, townsfolk, shopkeepers, street-vendors, soldiers, waiters, children

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teatro_Regio_(Turin)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teatro_Regio_(Turin)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arturo_Toscaninihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pratohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cataniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_typehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conductinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arturo_Toscaninihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evan_Gorgahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evan_Gorgahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sopranohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sopranohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cesira_Ferranihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cesira_Ferranihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baritonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tieste_Wilmanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tieste_Wilmanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camilla_Pasinihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camilla_Pasinihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Pini-Corsihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Pini-Corsihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_(voice_type)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alessandro_Poloninihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alessandro_Poloninihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alessandro_Poloninihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_(voice_type)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Pini-Corsihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camilla_Pasinihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tieste_Wilmanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baritonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cesira_Ferranihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sopranohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evan_Gorgahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arturo_Toscaninihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conductinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_typehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cataniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pratohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arturo_Toscaninihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teatro_Regio_(Turin)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teatro_Regio_(Turin)

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SYNOPSIS

ACT I.Paris, Christmas Eve, c. 1830. In their Latin Quarter garret, the painter Marcello and poet Rodolfo

try to keep warm by burning pages from Rodolfo's latest drama. They are joined by their comrades

Colline, a young philosopher, and Schaunard, a musician who has landed a job and brings food, fuel andfunds. But while they celebrate their unexpected fortune, the landlord, Benoit, arrives to collect the rent.Plying the older man with wine, they urge him to tell of his flirtations, then throw him out in mockindignation. As the friends depart for a celebration at the nearby Caf Momus, Rodolfo promises to jointhem soon, staying behind to finish writing an article. There is another knock: a neighbor, Mim, says hercandle has gone out on the drafty stairs. Offering her wine when she feels faint, Rodolfo relights her candleand helps her to the door. Mim realizes she has dropped her key, and as the two search for it, both candlesare blown out. In the moonlight the poet takes the girl's shivering hand, telling her his dreams. She thenrecounts her solitary life, embroidering flowers and waiting for spring. Drawn to each other, Mim andRodolfo leave for the caf.

ACT II.Amid shouts of street hawkers, Rodolfo buys Mim a bonnet near the Caf Momus before

introducing her to his friends. They all sit down and order supper. A toy vendor, Parpignol, passes by,besieged by children. Marcello's former lover, Musetta, enters ostentatiously on the arm of the elderly,wealthy Alcindoro. Trying to regain the painter's attention, she sings a waltz about her popularity.Complaining that her shoe pinches, Musetta sends Alcindoro to fetch a new pair, then falls into Marcello'sarms. Joining a group of marching soldiers, the Bohemians leave Alcindoro to face the bill when he returns.

ACT III.At dawn on the snowy outskirts of Paris, a Customs Officer admits farm women to the city.Musetta and revelers are heard inside a tavern. Soon Mim walks by, searching for the place where the

reunited Marcello and Musetta now live. When the painter emerges, she pours out her distress overRodolfo's incessant jealousy. It is best they part, she says. Rodolfo, who has been asleep in the tavern, isheard, and Mim hides; Marcello thinks she has left. The poet tells Marcello he wants to separate from hisfickle sweetheart. Pressed further, he breaks down, saying Mim is dying; her ill health can only worsen inthe poverty they share. Overcome, Mim stumbles forward to bid her lover farewell as Marcello runs backinto the tavern to investigate Musetta's raucous laughter. While Mim and Rodolfo recall their happiness,Musetta quarrels with Marcello. The painter and his mistress part in fury, but Mim and Rodolfo decide tostay together until spring.

ACT IV.Some months later, Rodolfo and Marcello lament their loneliness in the garret. Colline and

Schaunard bring a meager meal. The four stage a dance, which turns into a mock fight. The merrymakingis ended when Musetta bursts in, saying Mim is downstairs, too weak to climb up. As Rodolfo runs to her,Musetta tells how Mim has begged to be taken to her lover to die. While Mim is made comfortable,Marcello goes with Musetta to sell her earrings for medicine, and Colline leaves to pawn his cherishedovercoat. Alone, Mim and Rodolfo recall their first days together, but she is seized with coughing. Whenthe others return, Musetta gives Mim a muff to warm her hands and prays for her life. Mim dies quietly,and when Schaunard discovers she is dead, Rodolfo runs to her side, calling her name.

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