La Bohème The four-act opera by Giacomo Puccini

Libretto by Luigi Ilica and Giuseppe Jacosa
Based on Henry Murray's novel "Scènes de la vie de bohème" (Scenes from Bohemian Life)

Conductor IVAN KOZHUKHAROV
Directed by ALEXANDER TEKELIEV
Artist RADOSTIN CHOMAKOV
Choir Conductor  NEVENA MIHAYLOVA
Concertmaster YORDAN KOVACHEV
Assistant Director DARINA GLAVANAKOVA-BAKARZHDIEVA
Prompter DORA FARTUNOVA
Subtitles SREBRINA SLAVOVA

Creation history:

Puccini is extremely attentive to the lyrics of his operas. Most of his librettos are the work of the experienced Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Ilica. The composer is known for the diligence with which he selects plots for his new works.

After focusing on the plot of "Scenes from the Life of the Bohemians" by the French writer Henri Murge, Puccini commissioned Giacosa and Ilica to write the libretto; the latter have been working on it for more than two years, mostly because of the composer's constant dissatisfaction with what he has created. On this occasion, Luigi Ilica wrote: "Our joint creative work on Bohemia was a real struggle. Not only individual scenes were thrown away, but whole actions, and this ruined our work for many months, so that we could start again with the same perseverance. Puccini used to bite his nails in excitement or tension, and he looked at them with regret after each meeting.

While "Manon Lescaut" was being created, Puccini without hesitation took the risk of his work competing with the sensational opera with an identical Massenet plot. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that he does not stop at the fact that the famous author of "Clowns" - Leoncavallo, also began work on the text of Murge. At that time, the two composers were quite close. When Puccini shares his intention with Leoncavallo, his friend is surprised to say that he has the same idea. "Then there will be two Bohemian operas," Puccini said. The rivalry in writing the two works was logically inflamed by the press and eventually became an occasion for cooling the relations between the two composers.

Puccini is working with great enthusiasm on this opera. He became so engrossed in his work that he managed to complete Bohemia in just eight months.

The first performance of "Bohemia" took place on February 1, 1896 in Turin under the direction of Arturo Toscanini. Immediately, in just a few days, the opera was performed in a number of Italian theaters - in Rome, Naples, Palermo, and in Palermo the whole first act was played. Unlike Puccini's Bohemia, Leoncavallo's opera of the same name was released only a year later and never made it to the stage.

In Bulgaria, "Bohemia" was performed for the first time at the Sofia Opera. The conductor was maestro Georgi Atanasov and the director was ND Vekov.

 

Actors:

Rudolph, poet

Marcel, artist

Shonar, musician

Colin, philosopher

Benoit, master

Alsindor, a wealthy old gentleman

Mimi

The museum

Parpinol, toy seller

Customs officer

The action takes place in Paris in 1830.

Contents:

Paris. Attic. The cold stifles Rudolf and Marcel, even their usually too hot creative impulses. By the way, the inhabitants of the attic are: the great poet Rudolph, the great artist Marcel, the great musician Shonor and no less the great philosopher Colin, who, however, do not know when fate will be favorable enough to pay tribute to their greatness. What is certain is that there is never any money in this attic and there is always a gushing sense of humor. Bohemian life! What will each next day bring… But… There is a way out of every critical situation. Nothing to heat the room with? There is almost a debate over whose ideas are "more suitably hot" - those of the poet or those of the artist? The material embodiment of poetic ideas turns out to be more worthy of the sacrificial path. The manuscript of the last drama is immortalized for a moment, burning in the name of life. For the first and last time the play is placed in the… stove. Colin, who had just entered, witnessed this scene full of sad joy. His philosophical speculation is in tune with the mood in the room. He welcomes the enlightened - literally - author of light. Nice company, although… there is nothing for more "substantial" support… But a lucky chance is always possible! Needless to think about where food, wine, wood come from in the attic. In vain Shonar tries to explain. Everything is so seductive that no one bothers to listen to it. It is unlikely that the explanation would be deserved for his recognized and appreciated mastery of a musician. No. However, friends are saved! What about the rent? It is possible that the landlord will come. Well, let him come - they will outwit him. They will trick him into telling about old love adventures, and when he goes into spicy details, they will send him away "outraged." As they do.

It's Christmas Eve. It's criminal to stop the fun. Then? In the Latin Quarter, in the students' favorite cafe! Nothing can stop the bohemians! At the last minute, however, Rudolph remembered that he had not finished his article for tomorrow's newspaper. With the stipulation that he won't be late, Marcel, Shonar, and Colin go out and let him work. But no one knows when a fateful moment will befall him… There is a timid knock on the door. It turns out to be an unknown, lovely girl. Her request is that they serve her with fire to light the extinguished candle she is holding in her hands. After an unexpected attack of exhaustion, she leaves, but fate is stubborn. Almost immediately, the girl returns - she lost her key. The candles go out from the air current. It is difficult to find a key in the dim light… By the way, captivated by the purity and naivety of the beautiful Mimi Rudolph, it suddenly becomes clear that they will never find the key… Trapped in the timelessness of the incomprehensible touch of love, two human destinies intertwine.

The festively decorated square in front of Momus's Café. Students, children, salesmen, cheerful shouts, gifts, noise, commotion - a colorful picture, boiling with mood. The whirlpool of the holiday is boiling, you swallow everything. Here are Rudolph, Mimi, Marcel, Shonar, Colin ни True to their original idea and in a great mood, the five sat around a table in the cafe and joked happily. Rudolph introduces Mimi to her friends, and from that moment on they are her friends as well. The attention of all present is attracted by the entry of a strange couple - a young girl and an important-looking gentleman of decent age. These are the notorious, charmingly flirtatious Musette, Marcel's lover, with whom, however, they are currently quarreling, and her rich suitor Alsindor, who, however, does not like to be in such a simple place. But it is no coincidence that Museta chose to come to Momus's cafe. The girl was planning to meet her lover here. To make him jealous, she flirts with her older boyfriend too boldly and unrestrainedly. However, Marcel pretends not to see her. Neither her whims nor even the breaking of plates can make the artist pretend to notice her. The vain Alsindor is horrified by his lady's behavior. Suddenly, Museta cries out in pain, which startles Alsindor, and Marcel Instinctively jumps to see what happened to her. The resourceful girl says that she is holding the shoe and that Alsindor must buy her a pair of new shoes immediately. With ill-concealed displeasure, the venerable gentleman sets out to fulfill the order. Marcel and Museta reconcile and she joins the rest of the company. It turns out, however, that the Bohemians allowed themselves to eat and drink more than Shonar's assets allowed. This worries them a lot; but Museta tells the waiter that the whole bill will be paid by her gentleman. This restores their elated mood and, amused, the four friends, along with Mimi and Musette, mingle with the crowd. Alsindor returns - just to make sure everything is paid… including the bohemian company's bill.

In the early morning of February, Marcel painted the company of a pub at a customs post in a Paris suburb. He accepted the job for food and lodging. Suddenly Mimi comes to consult Marcel. The relationship between her and Rudolph has deteriorated considerably. Mimi tells the artist that her lover is behaving rudely, harassing her for good and bad, and at the same time furiously jealous of her. But at that moment, Rudolph himself sets in and Mimi has to hide. The young poet, in turn, reveals to Marcel what is bothering him. It becomes clear that Mimi is seriously ill and does not know this, and her life with him is unhappy because he is poor and it is impossible for him to provide her with the conditions she needs in this state; in short, according to Rudolph, love destroys Mimi, and for her own good he wants to separate. Thus the hidden Mimi learns the terrible truth. Her sobs betray her and she has to show up. Overwhelmed with terrible remorse, Rudolph tries in vain to comfort her - now Mimi is the one who insists on separation. At this time, the amused Museta arrives. So far, she has had fun in the company of clients at the pub. Marcel, enraged, reproaches her for her frivolity and the two quarrel again.

In their Paris attic, Rudolph and Marcel try in vain to work. Although they do not admit it, they are both absorbed in the thought of their loved ones. Shonar and Colin come and they all sit down to a modest lunch. They jokingly try to lighten the tense atmosphere - they pretend that the salted fish is trout and the water is champagne. At this time, the very anxious Museta appears. She takes Mimi with her, but the unfortunate girl is so ill that she is not even able to climb the stairs. The friends immediately rush in, bring the sick Mimi in their arms and put her to bed. The girl needs a doctor and medicine - but she needs money for that. Musetta takes off his earrings and sends Marcel to sell them and use the money to buy a cuff to keep Mimi's frozen hands warm. Colin, who has nothing but his nice coat, also decides to part with him. They all go out to seek help. Left alone, Rudolph and Mimi relive the wonderful moments of their first meeting, of their passionate love. They are happy again, but only for a short time. Suddenly Mimi begins to gasp. Anxious, Rudolph began to cry for help. At that moment, the friends return with medicine, and Marcel wears the dream cuff. Mimi puts on the cuff and, smiling blissfully, relaxes. Rudolph thinks she's asleep, but the girl actually died quietly. The embarrassment on the faces of his friends reveals the cruel truth to the young man. He weeps inconsolably over the lifeless body of his beloved…