Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, based on “Scènes de la vie de bohème” by Henri Murger
The opera is performed in Italian with Ukrainian subtitles
| Сhief conductor |
Ruslan Dorozhivsky Honored Art Worker of Ukraine |
| Conductor |
Ivan Cherednichenko Winner of international competitions |
| Stage director |
Giuseppe Visciglia (Italy) |
| Set designer |
Mykhailo Ryndzak People's Artist of Ukraine |
| Costume designer |
Oksana Zinchenko Honored Artist of Ukraine |
| Chorus masters |
Vadym Yatsenko Winner of Ukrainian competition Iryna Koval |
In the garret
It is Christmas Day. A cold room affirms the poverty and total indifference of its inhabitants to household. Poet Rodolfo gazes dreamily out of the window. Painter Marcello is painting with his nearly stiffened fingers, hoping that his masterpiece will bring him fame.
Young men meet life’s misfortunes with humour. Company warmly greets their friends, a philosopher Colline and a musician Schaunard, who has managed to earn some money. Friends bring firewood, food and wine.
Benoit, the landlord interrupts their banquet. He comes to collect the rent. Marchello flatters him and plies him with wine. Being drunk, Benoit begins to boast of his love affaires, but when he reveals that he is married, they thrust him from the room with comic moral indignation but without any money and go out to have some fun. Only Rodolfo stays at home, he has to finish an article for a magazine.
It is knocking at the door. A neighbor, Mimi, comes to ask for a fire. Young people get talking. Mimi drops a key. Suddenly the candle goes out so it is very difficult to find the key. It is impossible because Rodolfo has found the key and put it into his pocket. They both want to continue their conversation. Young people talk about their life and fall in love.
Quartier Latin
The streets are overcrowded with joyful people. The four friends have decided to enjoy themselves in a cafe. Rodolfo comes with Mimi. He has presented her a bonnet which she admires greatly.
Musetta comes with her new admirer, an old rich Alcindoro. She wants to provoke Marchello’s jealousy. Musetta and Marcherllo had once been a beloved couple but they parted, however “their hearts are still beating in unison”. Everybody can notice it. Musetta is “naughty” to attract attention of her beloved Marcello who is pretending to be indifferent. Finally the girl decides to send old Alcindor away to embrace her beloved Marcello once again. Cheerful company is celebrating victory of love, singing a hymn to beautiful Musetta.
At the tollgate
On the outskirts of the city in the tavern Marcello paints and Musetta sings.
It is winter daybreak. Workers pass through barriers and enter the city. Mimi appears. Knowing that Marcello is working there she tries to find him. Perhaps he knows where Rodolfo is.
Mimi retells Marcello a sad story of her love: Rodolfo was terribly jealous of her and they parted yesterday.
Rodolfo comes out of the tavern. Mimi hides and overhears Rodolfo telling Marcello that Mimi is mortally ill. Miserable Mimi hears everything. Her weeping and coughing reveal her presence, and Rodolfo hurries to her. Musetta’s laughter is heard and Marcello goes to find out what has happened. Mimì tells Rodolfo that they have to part.
Musetta and Marcello come out of the tavern with shouts. Another quarrel has ruined their temporary reconciliation.
Problems of their friends make Mimi and Rodolfo understand that their love, which unites their hearts, is the most important thing. However, bitter reality makes them separate till better time.
In the garret
Rodolfo is writing and Marcello is painting, but they cannot work calmly. They think about their beloved. Sadness is changed by joy as Schaunard and Colline bring food. The friends are singing, dancing and having fun.
Suddenly Musetta enters. She brings Mimi who has parted with her lover and wants to die near Rodolfo. Mimi is weak and trembling with cold. Musetta proposes Marcello to sell her earrings to pay a doctor. Marcello and Musetta, Schaunard and Collen who promised to sell his coat to buy medicine leave. Mimi and Rodolfo stay alone. They recall how they got acquainted.
Mimi is overwhelmed by a coughing fit. Friends return. Marcello brings medicine and Musetta brings a muff, which has been presented to Mimi by Rodolfo.
Mimi is getting warm and falls asleep not to be awoken for good.
“La Boheme” composed by Giacomo Puccini is one of the most lyrical works of the famous Italian composer. Sophisticated melodies and impressive orchestration provides music lovers with an exquisite pleasure. The libretto is based on the story of the life of the Latin Quarter, the place the Parisian Bohemia has been living in since old times. These people, despite poverty and misfortune, have chosen art, creativity, and love.
| Rodolfo, a poet |
Roman Trochymuk Honored artist of Ukraine Mykhajlo Malafij winner of the international competitions |
| Mimì, a seamstress |
Lyubov Kachala People’s Artist of Ukraine Daryna Lytovchenko winner of the international competition Mariana Mazur laureate of international competitions Luydmyla Korsun (Ostash) Honored Artist of Ukraine |
| Marcello, a painter |
Petro Radeyko winner of the international competition Orest Sydir People’s Artist of Ukraine Roman Strakhov winner of the international competition |
| Schaunard, a musician |
Vitalij Zagorbenskyj winner of the international competition Yuriy Shevchuk winner of the international competition |
| Colline, a philosopher |
Taras Berezhanskyy winner of the international competition Volodymyr Dutchak Yuriy Trytsetskyy Honored artist of Ukraine Volodymyr Shynkarenko winner of the international competition |
| Musetta, a singer |
Alina Didenko winner of the Ukrainian competition Anastasiya Kornutyak winner of the international competition Marianna Tsvietinska winner of the international competitions |
| Benoît, their landlord |
Dmytro Kokotko Roland Marchuk |
| Alcindoro, a state councillor |
Roland Marchuk Ihor Mikhnevych Yuriy Trytsetskyy Honored artist of Ukraine |
| Parpignol, a toy vendor |
Yuriy Hetsko Oleh Lanovyy winner of the international competition Oleh Lykhach People’s Artist of Ukraine |
| A customs Sergeant |
Mykola Kornutyak winner of the international competition Оleksii Kuvitanov |