The Project Gutenberg eBook, La Boheme, by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi
Illica, et al, Translated by W. Grist and P. Pinkerton

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Title: La Boheme

Author: Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica

Release Date: October 24, 2004 [eBook #13843]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)

***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LA BOHEME***

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LIBRETTO: LA BOHEME

An Opera in Four Acts

Libretto by
G. GIACOSA and L. ILLICA

English Version by
W. GRIST and P. PINKERTON

Music by
GIACOMO PUCCINI

CHARACTERS

RUDOLPH (a poet) Tenor
SCHAUNARD (a musician) Baritone
BENOIT (a landlord) Bass
MIMI Soprano
PARPIGNOL Tenor
MARCEL (a painter) Baritone
COLLINE (a philosopher) Bass
ALCINDORO (a councilor of state) Bass
MUSETTA Soprano
CUSTOM-HOUSE SERGEANT Bass

Students, Work Girls, Citizens, Shopkeepers, Street Vendors, Soldiers,
Restaurant Waiters, Boys, Girls, etc.

TIME ABOUT 1830--IN PARIS

SYNOPSIS

The opera is founded on Henri Murger's book "La Vie de Boheme."

ACT I

Rudolph and Marcel are sitting in the latter's attic-studio in the
Quartier Latin, in Paris. Marcel is absorbed in his painting. The day
is cold. They have no money to buy coal. Marcel takes a chair to burn
it, when Rudolph remembers that he has a manuscript which has been
rejected by the publishers and lights a fire with that instead.
Colline enters, looking abject and miserable. He had gone out to pawn
his books, but nobody wanted them. Their friend, Schaunard, however,
had better luck. He comes bringing fuel and provisions. They all
prepare their meal, when the landlord enters and demands the payment
of his rent. The friends offer him a glass of wine and turn him out
amidst joking and laughter. After their gay repast they separate and
Rudolph remains alone writing.

A knock is heard at the door and Mimi, a little seamstress, who