Marcello and Musetta passionately embrace.Īt the toll gate at the Barrière d’Enfer, late February Musetta pretends her foot is aching and sends Alcindoro off to the cobbler to mend her shoe. When Marcello doesn’t react, Musetta becomes very frustrated, trying every way to get his attention. Musetta shows up with the rich, elderly Alcindoro, in an attempt to make Marcello jealous. In the street outside Café Momus the Christmas spirit is on a high with people buying last minute food and gifts. Rodolfo’s friends want him to join them at Café Momus. Mimì and Rodolfo share little details of their lives.

Rodolfo finds the key but doesn’t tell Mimì since he wants to spend more time with her. Both of their flames go out and they search in darkness. She is about to leave, but realises that her key is gone. Rodolfo helps her, and after a while she feels better. Her candle has gone out and she asks Rodolfo for a new flame. She lives next door but they’ve never met. They set off to Café Momus in the Latin Quarter, all except Rodolfo who needs to finish an article. The four bohemians manage to avoid paying the rent. He brings food, wine and cigarettes that will hopefully last them through winter.īenoit, the landlord, knocks on the door demanding rent. Soon after, the fourth roommate Schaunard, a musician, enters in a better mood having received some money. The philosopher Colline arrives, upset at not having been able to pawn some books. They end up burning Rodolfo’s manuscript of his play. In a cold attic studio the poet Rodolfo and the painter Marcello are trying to find something to burn to keep warm. Mimì is fatally sick and their love is short lived. On christmas Eve Mimì visits her neighbour Rodolfo to ask if he can light her candle.

La boheme opera libretto english