Set in Paris in 1830, the poet Rodolfo, the painter Marcello, the philosopher Colline, and the musician Schaunard revel in the carefree lives of young artists. On Christmas Eve, Rodolfo meets his neighbour, Mimì (a seamstress afflicted with tuberculosis) and it's love at first sight. However, their passionate romance faces the harsh realities of poverty and illness.
Act 1
Paris, 1830. The poet Rodolfo and the painter Marcello share an attic, embracing their bohemian lifestyle with youthful abandon. Together with their friends, the philosopher Colline and the musician Schaunard, they decide to spend Christmas Eve at Café Momus. After remaining at home to finish an article, Rodolfo meets his neighbour Mimì (a seamstress plagued by tuberculosis), and it is love at first sight for both of them.
Act 2
Rodolfo and Mimì meet up with friends at Café Momus. Musetta, Marcello's former flame, arrives accompanied by the wealthy Alcindoro but endeavours to attract Marcello's attention regardless. Her plan works: Marcello reconciles with Musetta, who asks Alcindoro to settle the Bohemians' bill.
Act 3
February. Both couples are in crisis: Marcello is fed up with Musetta's infidelities, while Rodolfo wishes to part ways with Mimì (whose health is deteriorating) to enable her to find a partner who is less impoverished and a warmer place to stay. Although she still loves him, Mimì agrees to the separation, but asks Rodolfo to wait until spring.
Act 4
Alone in the attic, Marcello and Rodolfo mourn their former lovers. They are later joined by Colline and Schaunard, followed by Musetta and Mimì, now in her final moments. In an attempt to ease Mimì's pain, the friends sell their belongings, including Colline's coat. But it is no good: after expressing her love for Rodolfo one last time, Mimì peacefully drifts into eternal sleep.
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“Che gelida manina, se la lasci riscaldar” on 19 and 27 July. These two dates mark the return of La Bohème, ready to evoke emotions and bring tears to the eyes of the Arena's spectators. This double event is even more unmissable if you consider that the opera (inspired by Henri Murger's novel Scènes de la vie de bohème) last graced Verona Arena’s stage in 2011.
La Bohème
by Giacomo Puccini
Opera in four acts
Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica
NEW PRODUCTION
Special Project to celebrate Puccini's Centenary
Conductor: Daniel Oren
Director: Alfonso Signorini
Designer: Guillermo Nova
Mimì: Juliana Grigoryan
Musetta: Eleonora Bellocci
Rodolfo: Vittorio Grigolo
Marcello: Luca Micheletti
Schaunard: Fabio Previati
Colline: Alexander Vinogradov
Benoit: Nicolò Ceriani
Alcindoro: Salvatore Salvaggio
Parpignol: Riccardo Rados
Children's Choir A.LI.VE.
Conductor: Paolo Facincani
Fondazione Arena di Verona Orchestra, Choir and Technical Team
Choir Conductor: Roberto Gabbiani
Technical Director: Michele Olcese