GIACOMO PUCCINI
LA BOHÈME
CONTENTS
P.
4
SYNOPSIS P.
6
TOILET OF THE GRACES HENRI MURGER P.
8
PARIS, AROUND 1900 KARLHEINZ ROSCHITZ P.
14
THE CREATION OF LA BOHÈME OLIVER LÁNG
P.
18
PUCCINI’S THEATRICAL INSTINCT ANDREAS LÁNG P.
24
PUCCINI AND LA BOHÈME OLIVER LÁNG P.
30
THE ROMANCE OF POVERTY THOMAS CHORHERR P.
34
LA BOHÈME AT THE WIENER STAATSOPER ANDREAS LÁNG P.
38
IMPRINT
GIACOMO PUCCINI
LA BOHÈME OPERA in four acts Libretto by GIUSEPPE GIACOSA & LUIGI ILLICA based on SCÈNES DE LA VIE DE BOHÈME by HENRI MURGER
ORCHESTRA
STAGE ORCHESTRA
2 flutes / 1 piccolo / 2 oboes 1 cor anglais / 2 clarinets 1 bass clarinet / 2 bassoons 4 horns / 3 trumpets 3 trombones / 1 bass tuba / harp timpani and percussion violin I / violin II / viola cello / double bass 4 trumpets / 4 piccolos 2 drums / glasses / bells
AUTOGRAPH Ricordi archives, Milan WORLD PREMIÈRE 1 FEBRUARY 1896 Teatro Regio, Turin PREMIÈRE IN VIENNA 5 OCTOBER 1897 Theater an der Wien PREMIÈRE AT THE HOUSE ON THE RING 25 NOV 1903 Vienna Court Opera DURATION
2 H 30 MIN
INCL. 1 INTERMISSION
LA BOHÈME
SYNOPSIS ACT I Two young artists – Rodolfo, a poet, and Marcello, a painter – plan to work over Christmas in their squalid garret. They have no money, it is cold, and the manuscript that Rodolfo feeds the fire with provides only a few moments of warmth. Colline, a philosopher, also comes home empty-handed – the pawnshop was closed, so he was unable to pawn any of his books. Only Schaunard, a musician, had more luck with a rich Englishman and brings home plenty of food, heating fuel and money. The landlord Benoît demands the rent. The young artists draw him into a trap. When he tells them about his amorous escapades, they feign moral outrage and show him the door. When the others leave to go and celebrate, Rodolfo remains alone to finish an article. There is a knock at the door. A young woman, Mimì, asks Rodolfo to light her candle, which has gone out. The two young people fall in love.
ACT II The Latin Quarter is abuzz with celebrations. Rodolfo buys Mimì a bonnet and introduces her to his friends. Marcello runs into his former lover Musetta, who enters on the arm of Alcindoro, a suitor as old as he is rich. In full view of all, she gives free rein to her seductive skills and once again wins Marcello’s heart.
Previous pages: STEPHEN COSTELLO as RODOLFO BOAZ DANIEL as MARCELLO
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SYNOPSIS
ACT III A gloomy February morning at the customs barrier at the border between a Parisian suburb and the inner city. Workers, waggo ners and dairywomen are allowed to enter, passing the cabaret where Marcello and Musetta are lodging. Mimì is looking for and finds Marcello. She laments Rodolfo’s jealousy and their frequent quarrels. In conversation with Rodolfo, Marcello later learns the reasons for his disdainful behaviour: Mimì is deathly ill and has only a short time to live. Rodolfo believes that the cause of her illness is his poverty, so he now wants to separate from her. Mimì has overheard their entire conversation. The two lovers decide not to part until the spring.
ACT IV Several months later. Both couples have separated. Rodolfo and Marcello reflect wistfully on days gone by. Suddenly, Musetta arrives with Mimì, who is clearly close to death. The friends pawn their last few possessions to fulfil the invalid’s last wish for a muff and to purchase medicine. Rodolfo and Mimì once again find solace in happy memories. Surrounded by her friends, Mimì dies.
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