La bohѐme, originally set in the 19th century premiered in 1896, and Puccini’s masterpiece is still drawing audiences to opera houses the world over, including Welsh National Opera. This tale of love and loss has inspired a number of imitations in film and television, and Puccini’s incredible music has sparked a love for opera in a number of singers. But what gives La bohѐme it’s longevity and why does it remain such a relatable opera now, 126 years after its premiere in Turin? We explore.
A classic love story, La bohѐme is hard to resist for opera goers. The theme of love extends from the stage to the audience, and the tragic ending of the opera affects us so deeply because we believe the love we are witnessing is real and we can relate to the emotions. Who hasn’t fallen in love, perhaps even at first sight, like MimÌ and Rodolfo? Or perhaps you’ve chased unrequited love, in the same way Marcello chases Musetta? Romance aside, there’s more to this opera than meets the eye.
In act 1 we see the four roommates, Rodolfo, Marcello, Schaunard and Colline, enjoying each other’s company, and cheating the landlord out of rent money. Puccini’s introduction of these characters as everyday people, friends who tease and support each other endears us to their plight and situation, as it reminds us of our own friendships. This caring theme runs throughout the opera; in the opening exchanges we see Rodolfo burn his manuscript in the stove to provide warmth for his friends, and in the final act Colline pawns his overcoat to pay for Mimì’s medicine. Such selfless acts in service of their friendship are what bonds this group together and compels the audience to reflect on their own relationships and friendships.
While these themes are relatable, and form the backbone of this timeless opera, one of the more everyday moments within the opera happens in Café Momus. The group visit the café on Christmas eve, Mimì and Rodolfo celebrating finding their newfound love, and proceed to enjoy themselves – until the bill arrives that is. Schaunard’s shock at the length of the bill as he struggles to find his purse reminds us of one or two unfortunate nights of our own with a surprise bill.
These human moments smattered throughout the opera endear us to the characters and make La bohѐme a human story. As Puccini’s music leads us through the tale, his character’s talk to us on an emotional level, and perhaps that is why La bohѐme continues to be one of the most popular operas to this day.
To watch our production of Puccini’s timeless La bohѐme this Autumn, visit us in Southampton and Oxford this year.