La Bohème

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.

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.

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.

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.