Act I

Christmas Eve. A small garret overlooking the snowy rooftops of 19th-Century Paris at night.

The painter Marcello reflects on the gloominess of his current work, a painting of the Red Sea, while his friend, the poet Rodolfo, laments the frigid chill of their small garret and the fact that no fires burn in their stove. He resolves to warm the place with his latest play. As he lights it on fire, their friend, the philosopher Colline, enters. The rest of the play is quickly consumed by flame. Their friend, the musician Schaunard, returns with money and an assortment of goods he earned in the charge of a nobleman. The landlord Benôit enters, demanding their rent, which is three months overdue. They provide him with a continuous flow of wine until he drunkenly admits to extramarital affairs, at which point the friends kick him out. They then resolve to visit Café Momus, but Rodolfo says he will join them shortly; he still has to write a few more lines of an article. Soon after his friends leave, there is a knock at the door. A woman’s candle has gone out and she needs help getting home. He opens the door, and a beautiful young woman enters. Rodolfo helps her to a chair, when she suddenly turns pale and faints. Rodolfo revives her by sprinkling some water on her head, then lights her candle. As she is about to leave, she realizes that she has lost her key. She and Rodolfo look for it together. He finds it but pretends not to notice, secretly slipping it into his pocket. As they search in the dark, their hands meet, and he warms her cold little hand in his as he sings to her of his poetry and of the hope of love that has been born within him. She introduces herself as Mimì, a seamstress. Rodolfo’s friends call out for him from below, and he tells them to go ahead without them; he’ll join them soon, with a companion. Mimì and Rodolfo profess their love for each other as they slowly leave the garret.

Act II

Café Momus.

Rodolfo and Mimì arrive at Café Momus, and Rodolfo buys her a small pink bonnet that she has wanted for months. They sit to eat, and Rodolfo introduces her to his friends. They all approve, though Marcello comments on the poisonous nature of love. As they all drink a toast, a woman’s boisterous laughter is heard from offstage: Musetta, Marcello’s old lover. She is followed by her rich patron, Alcindoro. She notices Marcello’s presence and wants to make him jealous, so she causes a scene, despite Alcindoro’s protestations. She sings a seductive waltz about love, which Marcello pretends to ignore. When her waltz doesn’t work, she gets up and screams, complaining that her shoe is too tight. She demands that Alcindoro go fetch her a new pair. Marcello can bear no more, and throws himself into Musetta’s arms. As the pair embrace, a waiter brings the check, which they cannot afford. Musetta tells the waiter that Alcindoro will pay for it, and she, Mimì, Rodolfo, Marcello, Schaunard, and Colline disappear into the crowd as a marching band passes by.

Act III

A small, snowy town on the outskirts of Paris. Dawn.

Mimì bids a customs officer to tell Marcello to meet her outside. Marcello emerges from an inn where he and Musetta have been staying under the employment of the innkeeper, and Mimì, racked with fits of violent coughing, begs him for help: she knows Rodolfo loves him, but he is torn apart by jealousy and accuses her of infidelity. Marcello advises her to leave him, and she agrees, but wonders how she can do so. Just then, Rodolfo enters, and Mimì hides. Rodolfo tells Marcello that Mimì is unfaithful, but Marcello asks what is really troubling him. Rodolfo confesses that he feels guilty: Mimì is gravely ill and will die soon. His garret is so small and cold that it is only worsening her illness and hastening her death. Mimì is seized by a coughing fit, and Rodolfo, startled by her presence, rushes to her, assuring her that he was overreacting. Musetta laughs coquettishly from inside the inn, prompting Marcello to storm off and confront her. Mimì tells him that they must leave each other, but that there should be no rancor between them. Musetta and Marcello exit the inn, hurling insults at each other as Marcello accuses Musetta of flirting with other men. Mimì and Rodolfo tenderly embrace and resolve to stay together until springtime comes: it is too depressing to be alone in the winter.

Act IV

Rodolfo’s garret. Springtime.

Rodolfo is working on a new poem, and Marcello, a new painting. Rodolfo tells Marcello he recently saw Musetta with a wealthy patron, and Marcello feigns indifference. Marcello tells Rodolfo that he has seen Mimì with a viscount, and Rodolfo reacts similarly. Neither man is able to work; they both miss their lovers terribly. They both sing of their sadness and their longing for the two women they love. Schaunard and Colline enter, carrying food. The four of them begin eating, dancing, and laughing. Suddenly, Musetta bursts through the door, and announces that Mimì is following her, too weak to climb the stairs. Rodolfo and his friends fetch Mimì from the doorway and support her to the bed. Musetta explains that she had heard Mimì had left the viscount and was dying. Musetta sought her out, and found her on the street. She said she wanted to die near Rodolfo. Mimì happily greets Rodolfo and his friends, and assures Marcello of Musetta’s goodness. There is no food in the garret, and Mimì says that her hands are so cold; she needs a muff. Musetta gives her earrings to Marcello and instructs him to pawn them to pay for a doctor. She comes with him to buy a muff for Mimì. Colline takes off his coat, which he has worn faithfully for so long, and goes to sell it for medicine. He tells Schaunard that he should leave Mimì and Rodolfo alone, and the two exit. Mimì sits up in the bed and passionately embraces Rodolfo. She tells him she was only pretending to be asleep so they could be alone together. She confesses her deep, infinite love for him. Rodolfo produces the pink bonnet he bought for her, and the two reflect sadly on the night they first met. She begins coughing violently, and Schaunard bursts in. Mimì assures them that she’s fine, and Rodolfo begs her to rest. Marcello and Musetta return, followed by Colline. Marcello says the doctor will come soon. Musetta gives Mimì a muff, and Mimì thanks her for her generosity. Rodolfo weeps at her bedside, but Mimì comforts him, assuring him that she is always with him. She slowly drifts off. Musetta prays to the Virgin Mary to save Mimì’s life. Schaunard checks on Mimì, then whispers in horror to Marcello: she’s dead. Rodolfo sees the stricken expressions of everyone else and asks what is wrong. Marcello hugs him and tells him to take heart. Rodolfo sobs in despair, calling out Mimì’s name.