【La bohème】Synopsis, Character Map

What a cold little hand.

Please get to know me. I am a poet. In my poverty, I see love poems and dreams. Fantasies and fantasies are for gentlemen.

My name is Mimì. My real name is Lucia. For some reason, people call me Mimi.

I embroider flowers on silk cloth at home and in my store. My favorite things talk about love and dreams. I like poetry.

I’m too cold to paint. Hey, what are you doing?

I’m watching a lot of smoke rising into the gray sky. And I’m thinking that the rickety fireplace isn’t working.

Nei cieli bigi guardo fumar

It won’t work because we haven’t paid for the fireplace for the wood. Why don’t we just break down the chair and use it as firewood?

I’m going to burn my ideas. Let’s burn my manuscript!

Colline
The clerk told me I couldn’t pawn it on Christmas Eve. Oh, there’s a fire in the fireplace!

Quiet! Look at the fire caused by my manuscript.

Colline
But this isn’t going to last long.

Oh, it’s gone.

Firewood, wine, food! Gold coins, silver coins!

Schaunard
The Bank of France is going bankrupt because of you! Now, let me tell you how I got a lot of gold and silver coins.

La Banca di Francia

Let’s put some wood in the fireplace.

I need to find some flint.

Schaunard
I was hired by an Englishman as a musician.

Colline
(Putting the food on the table) This looks like good meat.

There’s even something sweet!

Schaunard
The Englishman said. I want you to play your instrument until the parrot dies.

I had been playing for three days when I had an epiphany. I seduced a maid and had her poison the parrot.

There’s no tablecloth.

Newspapers can be substituted.

Schaunard
Listen to me! Hey! Don’t try to eat the food right now! Put it in the stockpile! It’s Christmas Eve! Let’s go into town and eat out!

Christmas Eve!

Schaunard
We can drink here, but let’s eat out.

Benoît
Pay the rent for three months.

Of course, I do. We have the money. Oh, you look so young, don’t you? I heard that someone saw you with a young lady one night.

You’re so young!

Benoît
Well, well, I was serious when I was young. Now I’m a bit of a ruffian. I like women to be plump. Don’t go for thin ones. Just like my wife.

Well, well, well. You have a wife and you’re playing with other women!

This is terrible. I have to get rid of the dirty ones from my cleanroom.

Benoît
No, well listen!

Pretend we’ve paid our rent.

Then let’s go to town!

I have to finish an article for the paper, so I’ll stay here, and I’ll be with you guys in five minutes.

I’ll meet you downstairs. If you’re too late, you’re gonna hear us sing.

My candle is out, can you help me?

You don’t look well.

I’m having a little trouble breathing. I was in a bit of pain because I had come up the stairs.

What should I do?

She’s cute.

I feel a little better. Um, can I have a fire, please?

I think I dropped my room key…

If you stop near the door, the flame will go out.

I’m sorry for the inconvenience… Could you please find the key with me?

Ah!

Did you find it?

What a cold little hand.

Please get to know me. I am a poet. In my poverty, I see love poems and dreams. Fantasies and fantasies are for gentlemen. It’s a luxury for the mind.

Che gelida manina

My name is Mimì. My real name is Lucia. I don’t know why people call me Mimì.

I embroider flowers on silk cloth at home and in my store. My favorite things are the ones that talk about love and dreams. …I like poetry.

Sì, mi chiamano Mimì

Rodolfo! Slowpoke! You’re late. What are you doing?

I’m not alone now. You go on ahead!

O sweet maiden! Your face is beautiful in the light of the moon. In you, I can see what I have dreamed of.

O soave fanciulla

Love makes you do this. No…

You belong to me.

But you’re probably going out with friends. What if I could join you?

Excuse me? I think you should stay here. It’s cold outside…

I’ll be there for you. Even after we get back from the city…

Beautiful necklace!

I have a rich uncle. I’ll buy you a nicer necklace eventually.

Her name is Mimì. She’s a young lady who makes flowers.

Schaunard, Colline
We’re admitting you into our ranks!

Mimì, what did Rodolfo give you for a present?

It’s a pink hood. He knew right away what I wanted. He’s a poet, so he can read love.

It’s her!

Lulu. Come here!

Alcindoro
Please, just call me that when we’re alone.

Colline
That old gentleman looks like a well-dressed but empty man.

He has a chaste woman with him.

She’s very well-dressed.

She’s like an angel get naked.

You guys seem to know her, but who is she, anyway?

I’ll answer that. Her name is Musetta. She’s a little devil. My heart’s a wreck.

Marcello! Look at me. I’m going to test you to see if I still have a hold on his heart.

(To Marcello) You still have a crush on me, don’t you? I know you’re struggling with your memories of me. But you know what, I want to do whatever I want!

Musetta’s waltz: Quando men vo soletta per la via

I know how she feels. She loves Marcello, doesn’t she?

Marcello used to love Musetta. But that woman left him for a better life.

Marcello looks at me, he’s so upset. Let’s leave this old man now.

My feet hurt!

I still love her. My memory of her had not died.

My feet hurt! I can’t help it! Please go buy me some shoes.

Alcindoro
All right, just take your skirt down.

Four men
That’s a lot of money. Who ate that much?

(To the clerk) Give me my bill, please. Match their bills. The gentleman who was with me will pay for this.

Mimì! Come on. It’s cold in here.

I’m not going in if Rodolfo’s there.

Marcello. Help. He and I love each other, but I’m suffering from his jealousy.

No matter what I do, he gets cranky. When I pretend to be asleep at night, I can feel his presence and sense that he’s exploring my dreams. What the hell am I supposed to do?

At dawn he leaves, saying he’s done.

O buon Marcello, aiuto!

If I end up like you guys, we’ll never be able to live together.

Ah! Rodolfo’s looking for me in the store. He’s coming out of the store.

I can’t see him.

Then go home. Don’t make a scene here.

Marcello. No one will be able to hear me here. I’ve decided to break up with Mimì. I’m sick of being with her. She’s a slut and the worst.

Marcello. Finalmente!

You’re not telling the truth.

Yeah, she’s… She’s very sick. There’s nothing I can do.

Poor Mimì.

I’m gonna die!

Why are you here? Mimì. Did you overhear our conversation? I’m a worrier, so I take everything too seriously.

Poor thing, she was listening.

It looks like Musetta’s having fun with another man!

Good-bye. I’m going back to my days of embroidering fake flowers. You can keep the pink hood as a token of my love.

D’onde lieta uscì al tuo grido d’amore

Then we’re done, aren’t we?

Good-bye, sweet awakening.

Addio dolce svegliare alla mattina!

Good-bye, sweet life.

What the fuck were you doing with that guy?

I just danced with another guy, what’s wrong with that! If you don’t like it, I’m breaking up with you!

I saw Musetta. It looks like she’s got a rich patron.

I saw Mimì. She was all dressed up and riding in a carriage.

Mimì is not coming back. What a short youth.

I want to draw this and that, but I end up drawing Musetta.

Mimì is on the stairs. She can’t move anymore.

Rodolfo. Can I stay with you?

Yeah, forever.

I heard from someone that Mimì had run away from her patron. I found her walking down the street. She said, “I don’t have long to live, so I need you to take me to Rodolfo.”

It’s getting easier. It’s nice here. Don’t leave me alone.

Of course.

What’s in this room? Wine or coffee?

Nothing.

I’m very cold, my hands are cold. I wish I had a muff.

I’ll warm it up with my hands.

Sell these earrings and get a doctor for her. I’m going home to get my muff.

What a great idea. My Musetta.

Colline
Listen to me, old cloak. I will remain on earth, but you will ascend the sacred mountain. You have warmed poets and philosophers, defying the powers that be. Our happy days are over. Good-bye.

I’ll leave you two alone.

Vecchia zimarra, senti

Schaunard
Yes, you’re right. I’ll leave you two alone.

They’re all gone, aren’t they? I pretended to be asleep. I just wanted to be alone with you.

That’s my hood. I wonder if you remember the first time we met. You were so quick to find the key.

I saved our fate.

Who’s talking?

I’m Musetta.

What a beautiful, soft muff. Rodolfo, did you give it to me?

Yes.

Thank you. Rodolfo, are you crying? I’m fine. …my hands are warm. Let’s get some sleep.

…doctor?

Almost there.

God bless the poor girl.

Schaunard
(Whispering to Marcello) She’s dead.

Colline
Musetta. This is for Mimì. How’s she doing?

Why do you two keep looking at me like that?

Keep your mind on it.

Mimì, Mimì!