Sending Alcindoro away to buy her a new pair of shoes, Musetta finally falls into Marcello’s arms. The ensuing tumult reaches its peak when, trying to gain Marcello’s attention, she loudly sings the praises of her own popularity. Marcello’s former sweetheart, Musetta, makes a noisy entrance on the arm of the elderly, but wealthy, Alcindoro. The toy vendor Parpignol passes by, besieged by children. Happy to have found each other, Mimì and Rodolfo leave, arm in arm, for the café.Īmid the shouts of street hawkers near the Café Momus, Rodolfo buys Mimì a bonnet and introduces her to his friends. He responds that he is not alone and will be along shortly. Rodolfo’s friends call from outside, telling him to join them.

She recounts her life alone in a lofty garret, embroidering flowers and waiting for the spring. In the moonlight, he takes Mimì’s hand and tells her about his dreams. Rodolfo finds the key and slips it into his pocket.

Mimì realizes that she lost her key when she fainted, and as the two search for it, both candles go out. Rodolfo gives her a sip of wine, then helps her to the door and relights her candle. As she enters the room, she suddenly feels faint. There is another knock at the door-the visitor is Mimì, a pretty neighbor, whose candle has gone out in the stairwell. As the others depart to revel at the Café Momus, Rodolfo remains behind to finish an article, promising to join them later. After getting the older man drunk, the friends urge him to tell of his flirtations, then throw him out in mock indignation at his infidelity to his wife. While they celebrate their unexpected fortune, the landlord, Benoit, comes to collect the rent. They are soon joined by their roommates-Colline, a philosopher, and Schaunard, a musician, who brings food, fuel, and funds he has collected from an eccentric nobleman. Paris, in the 1830s. In their Latin Quarter garret, the near-destitute artist Marcello and poet Rodolfo try to keep warm on Christmas Eve by feeding the stove with pages from Rodolfo’s latest drama.

La boheme opera new york