The Bohemian Life

La Boheme

Giacomo Puccini

High Notes

Callas never performed the role of Mimi on stage, but she did make a recording of this extremely popular opera.  Boheme is full of catchy melodies that are familiar to many people, whether they love opera or not.  It would be hard to mention high notes and not mention Rodolfo's cavatina "Che gelida mannina."  Originally written with a D flat, the aria features a high C for the tenor singing the role.  Rodolfo sings this note again when he shares it with Mimi at the end of the love duet, "O soave fanciulla", which closes the first act.  Mimi's cavatina, "Mi chiamano Mimi," features only a high A.  Her farewell in Act 3, "Donde lieta usci," demands only a half step higher (B flat).  The real high notes belong to Musetta, who receives second billing among the women in the opera.  Her waltz, "Quando m'en vo," has three high Bs and is followed by a comic section that requires a good amount of squealing.  The soprano performing the role of Musetta has great fun during that section.  Callas and Freni are equally good Mimis, but Moffo is the only choice for Musetta.   

Opera in four acts, 1 & 3/4 hours
Composed from 1893 to 1895
Set to a libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica after episodes from Henry Murger's 1845 play Scenes de la vie de boheme
First performed in Turin, Italy, Teatro Regio, on 1 February, 1896.

The cast at the premier included Cesira Farrani (Mimi), Evan Gorga (Rodolfo), Camilla Pasini (Musetta), Antonio Pini-Corsi (Schaunard), and Michele Mazzini (Colline).

Principle Roles

• Mimi, a poor seamstress.....soprano
• Rodolfo, a poet.....tenor
• Musetta, a singer and Marcello's mistress.....soprano
• Schaunard, a musician.....baritone
• Colline, a philosopher.....bass
• Marcello, a painter.....baritone
• Parpignol, a toy vendor.....tenor
• Benoit, landlord of the artists.....bass

The Story

Rodolfo, Schaunard, Colline and Marcello are living together in an attic apartment in the Latin quarter of Paris. They are all poor. When Schaunard comes into some money on Christmas Eve, they decide to go out for dinner. Rodolfo is delayed and the other three go on ahead of him. While Rodolfo is alone, he meets Mimi, who is looking for a light for her candle. They fall in love. Rodolfo takes Mimi to the restaurant, the Cafe Momus, and introduces her to his roommates. Musetta is also at the restaurant. Musetta abandons the older man she is with to join Marcello. The group leaves, stiffing Musetta's older suitor with the bill. Time passes. Mimi and Rodolfo have been living together, but they fight because of Rodolfo's jealousy. Rodolfo plans to leave Mimi. More time passes. Musetta brings the now very ill Mimi to the attic apartment. In vain, the artist try to comfort her. In the end, she succumbs to the tuberculosis that has been plaguing her.

Notable Incipits

• "Che gelida manina" (Rodolfo)
• "Mi chiamano Mimi" (Mimi)
• "O soave fanciulla" (Mimi & Rodolfo)
• "Quando m'en vo" (Musetta)
• "Addio. Donde lieta usci" (Mimi)
• "O Mimi, tu piu non torni" (Rodolfo & Marcello)
• "Vecchia zimarra" (Colline)

Recommended Recordings

• Callas (Mimi), Di Stefano (Rodolfo), Moffo (Musetta)
• Freni (Mimi), Gedda (Rodolfo), Adani (Musetta)
• Freni (Mimi), Pavarotti (Rodolfo), Harwood (Musetta)

Upcoming Performances

• November & December 2009 - San Francisco
• November & December 2009 - Stockholm (Royal)
• November 2008-January 2009 - Berlin (Komische)
• November 2008-May 2009 - Prague (Statni)
• December 2008-January 2009 - Berlin (Deutsche)
• December 2008-January 2009 - Budapest (Staatsoper)
• December 2008-January 2009 - New York (Metropolitan)
• December 2008-March 2009 - Vienna (Staatsoper)
• December 2008-May 2009 - Munich (Staatsoper)
• January & February 2009 - Hamburg (Staatsoper)
• February 2009 - Dallas
• February 2009 - Lisbon
• February 2009 - Zurich (Oper)
• February & March 2009 - London (English National Opera)
• March & April 2009 - Frankfurt (Oper)
• March & April 2009 - Pittsburgh (Opera)
• April & May 2009 - Vienna (Volk)
• May 2009 - Sacremento (Opera)
• August-Ocober 2009 - Buenos Aires (Colon)