ACT I – A SHABBY GARRET ON CHRISTMAS EVE
Four young artists – a painter, a writer, a musician, and a philosopher – share a garret in the Latin Quarter of Paris. It is a wintry Christmas eve. Rodolfo tries to write, and Marcello struggles to paint, but both suffer from the cold. In desperation, Rodolfo throws the manuscript of his unpublished drama into the stove, but it provides only a few seconds of warmth. Colline, the philosopher, arrives, frozen and frustrated because he has been unable to pawn a few books for money.

Suddenly the musician, Schaunard, bursts in. He has just been paid, and he brings food, wine, cigars, and firewood. The four friends celebrate, but their rejoicing is soon interrupted. The landlord, Benoit, has come to collect their overdue rent. The Bohemians ply him with wine, and contrive to get him out of the room without paying. Marcello, Schaunard, and Colline leave to enjoy Christmas eve at Café Momus; Rodolfo says he will join them shortly, but must stay to finish an article he is writing first.

A timid knock on the door announces Mimi. Her candle has blown out, and she needs a light. Entering the garret, she faints momentarily, as Rodolfo remarks on her frailty and her beauty. She recovers, and is about to leave when she realizes that she has dropped her key. As they grope for it in the dark, the couple’s hands touch. They tell each other about themselves, and then, rejoicing in their new-found love, go off to join the others at the café.

ACT II – A FEW MINUTES LATER, AT CAFÉ MOMUS
A huge crowd swarms through a square outside the café. Rodolfo buys a pink bonnet for Mimi, and the two of them join the other three Bohemians at a table. Enthusiastically, they order a lavish dinner. But Marcello’s pleasure is cut short by the arrival of his ex-lover, Musetta, on the arm of Alcindoro - an elderly, rich admirer. As Musetta sings tauntingly to Marcello from the next table, his passion is reignited. Musetta contrives to get rid of the old man by feigning an injury, and as soon as he is gone the young couple fall into each other’s arms. A waiter presents the Bohemians with the bill for their extravagant meal, but none of them has any money. Musetta tells the waiter to put all the charges on Alcindoro’s bill, and the six friends march off behind a military parade.

ACT III – FEBRUARY, ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF PARIS
At dawn on a bitter, snowy morning vendors and street-sweepers pass through customs on their way into the city. Mimi arrives, looking for Marcello. They meet outside an inn where Marcello has been working as a painter. Mimi tells him that things are not going well. Rodolfo is jealous of her every glance, and driving her to distraction. Marcello agrees to talk with Rodolfo, who is sleeping at the inn. At Rodolfo’s entrance, Mimi hides and overhears the ensuing conversation. After hiding his real feelings at first, Rodolfo admits the truth: Mimi is desperately ill. Every day she becomes weaker, and he fears that the cold in his miserable garret is killing her. A coughing spell reveals Mimi’s presence. She has decided that she and Rodolfo must part. The two recall their better times together, while Marcello and Musetta have a furious lover’s quarrel in the background. Finally, Mimi and Rodolfo agree to stay with each other until the spring, and part then.

ACT IV – THE GARRET, SEVERAL MONTHS LATER
Rodolfo and Marcello are again trying to work, but both are distracted by memories of their loves. Schaunard and Colline arrive, and although the four friends have only the most meager supper to enjoy, a sense of fun takes over. Extravagant singing, dancing, and mock fighting lift their spirits.

Then, at the height of the laughter, the door flies open. Musetta enters with Mimi, who is now terribly weak and near death. Marcello and Musetta go to find brandy, a doctor, and a muff for Mimi’s frozen hands. To raise what little money he can, Colline plans to pawn his overcoat. Left alone, Mimi and Rodolfo recall their first meeting, and early times together. The others return, bringing the brandy and the muff. Mimi falls asleep. As Musetta prays for Mimi’s recovery, the men realize one by one that she has died. Rodolfo is the last to know, and collapses in despair.

The performance will last approximately two and one-half hours with two intermissions.