La Bohème

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Mimi's tragic story is impossible to ignore. With La Bohème, Puccini wrote his most heart-rending opera, set to sublime, poignant music. It's a masterpiece, and an excellent introduction for the emotion-seeking neophyte.

Building on the success of his previous opera ‘Manon Lescaut’, Giacomo Puccini continued his collaboration with Giuseppe Giacosa, adapting for the opera a novel by Henri Murger entitled ‘Scenes from Bohemian Life’. On the timeless theme of impossible love, Puccini describes the creativity and carefree nature of the Parisian artistic milieu, the harsh living conditions of the working class and the constant dissatisfaction of the bourgeoisie. He also contrasts the ability to enjoy the simple joys of life with the harshness of the times. Moving and heartbreaking, but also sparkling and sparkling, La Bohème was a growing and enduring success, even if its premiere on 1 February 1896 left audiences with mixed feelings.

 It was love at first sight when the little cousin Mimi met the poet Rodolpho in the squalor of the Latin Quarter where he lived with his student and artist friends. But Mimi's illness and lack of money made their bohemian life and love impossible. Separated, they are not reunited until Mimi's tragic death from tuberculosis.