"La bohème" (opera): a summary of love and poverty

The premiere of the opera took place in Turin in 1896, and since then it has not come off the scaffold of the best theaters in the world, although its creator was overwhelmed by hesitations and doubts. But thanks to "Bohemia" the whole world spoke of the composer. Its summary will be presented here.

Puccini, La Boheme, the first act

Paris, the thirties of the 19th century, the threshold of Christmas is the time when action takes place in the opera. On the stage is a room under the roof (attic), in which the poet Rudolph and the painter Marcel live. They are unrecognized geniuses, are in utter poverty, but extremely carefree. From the large window you can see the roofs of Paris and the pipes on them with a curling haze. The room is poorly furnished. In it there is only a table, a bed and chairs. There is no order - their books and papers are lying around . The room is cold, as in the street. Marcel, working on the picture, now and then rubs his hands, as they are mercilessly freezing, pacing around the room, coming to the window, trying to keep warm in movement, sees the smoke coming from other people's pipes and envies. He complains to Rudolf for the nightmarish cold. Rudolph sacrifices his genius creation for travelling - tragedy. Without hesitation for a minute, Rudolph, also frozen, begins to kindle the fireplace, saying that the fiery passions of the heroes of the drama will blaze in him, and they will warm up the room. So begins "Bohemia" - an opera, the brief content of which we begin to expound. At this time comes their friend, the philosopher Collin, who is also completely stiff in the street. Finally, the joyful musician Shonar comes in and, like a magician, unfolds food on the table and puts bottles of wine. He tries to tell the story of how he earned money from a rich Englishman. Shonara no one listens, as everyone eagerly attacked the food. But then the general merriment is interrupted, since the owner Benoit came and demands to pay the debt for the apartment. Friends only show him money, opayivayut wine, and then unceremoniously expose the door. Three friends, without Rudolph, who must finish the article, are poisoned in the Latin Quarter. In the stillness of the empty room, Rudolph hears a timid knock on the door. At his dear young neighbor Mimi, the candle went out, and she asked for help to kindle her. Rudolph falls in love almost at first sight to this lovely creature, who also lost the keys to his apartment in his room. While they are looking for the keys, Rudolph extinguishes his candle. The darkness in the room allows young people to explain themselves. Young people instantly fell in love with each other and go to the cafe together.

The second action is the Latin Quarter

And on a smart street, there is a lot of fun and life is boiling - Christmas is coming soon. Friends meet and five go to your favorite cafe. They are joined by their familiar wealthy Alzinor, who came with a flirtatious Musette. A pretty, but windy girl, in the past was fond of the artist Marcel, and now she does not mind renewing their romance. So, continues "La Bohème", an opera, the brief content of the second action of which is now presented. Musette tired of the old man with whom she came, and she comes up with a trick with a shoe that is uncomfortable for her. Musette sends her companion to the shoemaker and fights with the artist with all her might. The whole company leaves the cafe, leaving an unpaid bill for which it was necessary to pay the rich abandoned Alzinor.

Action third - on the outskirts of Paris

On the stage, the outskirts of the city and the tavern, to which Marcel wrote a sign. Here lives Marcel with Musetta, and Mimi came to tell them that they had again quarreled with Rudolph. Passion for the third act has already heated up. This is shown by La Bohème, an opera whose summary of the third act is that Rudolph thinks he should part with Mimi, she is very sick. He tells this to Marcel, but Mimi accidentally overheard their conversation. She plaintively begs Rudolph not to leave her, and at this time Musette and Marcel fiercely argue. It's clear that this pair does not have a future, whereas Mimi and Rudolph will get better, because they both sincerely love. Puccini's opera "La Boheme" is filled with tenderness and hidden tragedy.

The fourth action is in the attic

Again the same familiar room as in the first act. Marcel pensively stands at the easel, he is not drawn, Rudolph does not write anything either. Rudolph dreams that Mimi will return. But Collin and Schonar come and set the table. Everyone is having fun and pretending that they are at a reception with the king. The action does not herald a tragic outcome. However, "La bohème", an opera, the summary of which is presented here, will turn to the listener entirely different side. Young people dance, portray a duel, but their fun is immediately interrupted when Musette comes in with Mimi's disease, which is quite weak. The patient is laid on the bed and she falls asleep, and at this time Musette gives her earrings to sell them, buy medicine and call a doctor, Collin leaves to sell the cloak, and Rudolph curtains the windows so that the light does not hit Mimi's face. Schonar at this time leans toward her and sees - she died. On the faces of friends, Rudolph understands that irreparable happened. He rushes to Mimi across the room and stiffens on his knees by the bed. This is the content of the opera Bohemia. Its finale is natural, it is in the spirit of romanticism that permeated that era.

Opera "La bohème": reviews

The listeners like the voices and work of the conductor and orchestra. Puccini's music and plot touch hearts. Melodies are tremulous. The scenery is laconic, the characters' images are very bright.

History of creation

Two authors wrote the libretto, based on the French melodrama. Puccini was very demanding. He wanted an organic combination of music and lyrics, since, apparently, the melodies already sounded in his head and only asked for paper. He achieved what he wanted. The music of Giacomo Puccini wrote, as they say, "in one go." It did not take him even a year. The premiere of secular society and criticism was adopted very coldly. Only time has shown the fallacy of all judgments.