Music

La Bohème is the masterpiece of Italian opera master Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924), created at the peak of his career and the most frequently played and popular work in major opera houses around the world. Director Lo King-man has rewritten the most beautiful song in the opera into a touching singing scene. Interspersed between these scenes, the author of the original novel writer Henri Murger (1822-1861) appears as a character, observing the action and telling the audience this touching love story in person. The plot describes the struggle for survival of a group of poor artists in the Latin Quarter of Paris, where they experience happiness and sorrow, love and hate. The play is accompanied throughout by sentimental music that beautifully conveys its powerful emotion. La Bohème is an undoubted treasure and eternal masterpiece in praise of art and love.

It’s Christmas Eve in the Parisian Latin Quarter and four struggling artists are meeting to dine together at the Cafe Momus. The poet Rodolfo needs to meet a deadline and asks his friends to reserve a seat for him. Someone knocks on his door. Seamstress Mimi holds a candle and asks for a light. She suddenly feels queasy and drops her key. The two search for it in the dark. Rodolfo takes Mimi’s hand and tells her all about his career and dreams. Mimi also shares her life experience. Under the moonlight, they declare their love for each other.

In front of Cafe Momus, a large crowd has gathered and is restless. The poet introduces Mimi to his three friends. Musetta, the ex-girlfriend of the painter Marcello, who is there with her new lover Alcindoro, a government minister, for dinner. Coquettish Musetta is actually still in love with the painter. She sends the minister away on a false errand while she rekindles her love with Marcello. Marcello and Musetta are now employed in a tavern near a toll gate in Paris. One day in winter, Mimi, who is ill, comes to the tavern in the morning and complains to Marcello in tears about Rodolfo’s terrible jealousy. When Rodolfo arrives to meet Marcello, Mimi hides in a corner. Rodolfo reveals that because of Mimi’s deteriorating health, he will leave her so that she can find someone better. Mimi reveals herself and sadly bids Rodolfo farewell. They finally agree to be together until the coming spring. Meanwhile, Marcello quarrels with Musetta for always trying to seduce the guests at the tavern. She teases him and finally they break up.

Through pining for their ex-girlfriends, the poet and the painter are both distracted from their work. Musetta appears suddenly and announces that Mimi is seriously ill, before fainting in the doorway. Rodolfo brings her indoors. The friends sell their jewellery and clothes to buy a muff and drugs for Mimi. The poet and the seamstress, alone in the shabby room, recall the good old days. When the friends return, Mimi succumbs to her illness and dies. Rodolfo is immersed in grief.