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ACT I
 In a Latin Quarter garret, the poet Rodolfo and painter Marcello try to keep warm by burning pages from Rodolfo’s latest manuscript. They are joined by Colline, a philosopher, and Schaunard, a musician, who arrives with a bounty of food, wine, and money. As the four toast their good fortune, the landlord, Benoit, arrives to collect the rent. The friends invite him in, ply him with wine, and urge him to recall a current flirtation; they then throw him out in mock indignation when he mentions his wife. The friends depart for a Christmas Eve dinner at Café Momus but Rodolfo stays behind to finish an article, promising to join them shortly.
A knock on the door introduces Mimì, a neighbor, who begs a light for her candle. Out of breath from climbing the stairs, she faints, dropping the key to her apartment. When she recovers they begin to search for her key but both of their candles go out and in the darkness Rodolfo touches her hand. Drawn together, Rodolfo tells the girl of his dreams as a writer while Mimì confesses her life as a seamstress, embroidering flowers and waiting for the spring. Bathed in moonlight, they find themselves falling in love and depart for Café Momus together.
ACT II
 Amid the noise of street venders, Rodolfo buys Mimì a bonnet and the two join his friends at a sidewalk table outside Café Momus. The toy-seller Parpignol is followed by a crowd of noisy children as Musetta, Marcello's old flame, arrives accompanied by Alcindoro, a wealthy, older gentleman. Although Marcello feigns indifference, he finds himself increasingly jealous. To regain Marcello’s attention she sings about her popularity. No longer wishing Alcindoro’s company, Musetta cries out that her shoe pinches and sends Alcindoro to buy a new pair, after which she falls into Marcello’s arms. Joining a group of marching soldiers, the Bohemians leave Alcindoro to pay the restaurant bills.
ACT III
At a tollgate on a cold February morning, Customs Officers search people coming into Paris. Musetta and revelers are heard in a nearby tavern where she and Marcello are working. Mimì appears looking for Marcello and she confides to him that Rodolfo’s jealousy is the cause of their constant fighting. She is convinced that they should part. Rodolfo comes looking for Marcello, and Mimì hides. She overhears Rodolfo explain why he is so tormented. Mimì is ill and his poverty is weakening her condition. Overcome, Mimì comes forward to bid Rodolfo farewell as Marcello runs into the tavern to investigate Musetta’s raucous laughter. Mimì and Rodolfo try to end their relationship but, still deeply in love, they decide to remain together until the spring. Meanwhile, Marcello confronts Musetta with her flirtations, causing Musetta to storm off leaving Marcello behind.
ACT IV
 The following summer in the garret Marcello and Rodolfo try to work but each is distracted by thoughts of the woman he loves but no longer has. The somber mood changes when Colline and Schaunard arrive to share a paltry meal. They momentarily forget their poverty until Musetta arrives with Mimì. The girl is dying and wants to be with Rodolfo again. Musetta and Marcello, reunited, leave to find a doctor. Colline leaves to pawn his overcoat for medicine. Schaunard follows them out. Left alone, Rodolfo and Mimì recall their first meeting and their love. Mimì tires and falls asleep. The others return with gifts and medicine but it is too late: Mimì has died.
—Timothy Ocel, Director
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