La Bohème

Opera

Writers: Giacomo Puccini Luigi Illica Giuseppe Giacosa

Overview

Show Information

Category
Opera
Number of Acts
4
First Produced
1896
Genres
Settings
Multiple Settings
Time & Place
paris, france around 1830
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Medium
Dancing
None
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal for
Professional Opera, Regional Theatre
Casting Notes
Mostly male cast
Includes young adult, adult, mature adult, late teen characters

Synopsis

A group of friends are living a bohemian life in Paris and trying to make their livings creating art. Rodolfo, the writer, falls in love with the seamstress, Mimi, while Marcello, the painter, and Musetta, the singer, are the on-and-off-again couple by their sides. When the four are happy, they spend their time celebrating life and love. However, Mimi is revealed to be very ill, and Rodolfo struggles to come to terms with the fact that she will inevitably die. Rodolfo and Mimi break up, and months later, Musetta discovers Mimi extremely sick and close to death. She brings Mimi to Rodolfo and Marcello's apartment. Rodolfo immediately takes her in and tries to nurse her back to health, but he is too late. Almost as soon as the two are reunited and have professed their love for one another, Mimi succumbs to her illness and dies.

Lead Characters


La Bohème guide sections