In a garret. A wide window overlooks the roofs covered in snow. To the left, is a fireplace, table, bed, cabinet, a small bookcase, four chairs, a painters easel: scattered books, many bundles of paper, and two candlesticks. Rodolfo watches meditatively out of the window. Marcello works at his painting: "The passage of the Red sea," with his hands numb from the cold. It's Christmas Eve. Marcello (trying to paint) This Sea of Red passage makes me shiver, I feel as if it were flowing right over me droplet by droplet. So in revenge I'll make Pharaoh drown! (to Rodolfo) What are you doing? Rodolfo I'm watching thick gray smoke from a thousand Parisian chimneys, rise up into the skies. (Pointing to the fireplace without fire) While our stove sits there idle, making no moves to do its duty, but just relaxing like some noble Lord. Marcello It's been a while since he received his lawful dues. Rodolfo What are those stupid forests doing under the snow, then? Marcello Rodolfo, let me tell you what's troubling me so deeply. I'm really freezing cold. Rodolfo And I, Marcello, won't try to hide the fact from you that I don't believe in the sweat of the brow. Marcello My fingers are frozen, as if they were implanted in that great ice-box, known as Musetta's heart. Rodolfo Love is like a fireplace which wastes too much... Marcello ...and too quickly! Rodolfo ...where Man serves as the kindling... Marcello ...and Woman is the spark... Rodolfo ... one is burnt in an instant. Marcello ... and the other stands and watches. Rodolfo But at this moment we are freezing... Marcello ...and dying from hunger! Rodolfo We need a fire.

Marcello (grabbing hold of a chair and about to break it up) Wait... we'll sacrifice the chair! Rodolfo (stopping him, and seizing a bulky manuscript) Eureka! Marcello Have you found something? Rodolfo Yes! Sharpen your wits man.. Let thought burst into flame. Marcello (pointing to his painting) Let's set fire to the Red Sea? Rodolfo No, painted canvas stinks, but my drama won't, its ardent passion will warm us. Marcello (with comic fright) You're going to read it? I'll freeze while I wait.

Rodolfo No, the paper will crackle and turn to ashes, then the poetry will rise to Heaven. This threatens damage to our culture! Rome is in peril! Marcello Noble heart! Rodolfo Act one to start with! Marcello Right! Rodolfo Rip it! Marcello Now light it.

(Rodolfo sets fire to part of the manuscript, then they both pull up their chairs, sit down and warm themselves in the voluptuous heat) Rodolfo How brightly it glows! Marcello How brightly it glows! (The door crashes open and Colline enters: freezing cold, he stamps his numb feet to try and warm them. Angrily he throws a bundle of books on the table)

Colline The signs of the Apocalypse are upon us already! No one will accept pledges, on the day of Christmas Eve! (sighting the fire: astonished) A blaze! Rodolfo Quiet, my play is beginning... Colline ...to the fire. I find it really sparkling! Rodolfo Fiery!

Colline (as the fire dies down) A little brief though! Rodolfo In brevity lies great esteem. Colline (Carrying the chair away from Rodolfo) Author, I'll have the chair. Marcello These intervals are not at all amusing! Quick. Rodolfo (Seizing another part of his notebook) Second act. Marcello Not one whisper. Colline Profound thought! (Rodolfo tears part of the notebook and throws it on the fireplace: the fire rekindles. Colline advances forward with a chair and warms his hands: Rodolfo is on his feet, next to his friends, with the remains of his notebook)

Marcello Colourful too! Rodolfo Within that languid blue flickering flame, an ardent tale of love fades! Colline A page crackles. Marcello There are kisses in there! Rodolfo (tossing the rest of the notebook on the fire) Now let's have three acts at once. Colline Thus the bold ideas of thought are united!

Rodolfo, Marcello, Colline This beautiful flame vanishes in a cheerful flash. Marcello Oh Lord!... Already the flame is dying down. Colline What a vain, fragile drama! (They applaud enthusiastically: one moment later the flame diminishes) Marcello It's crackling and fading down to its death already! (the fire goes out) Marcello and Colline Down with him, down with the author! (From the door two boys appear, one carrying food supplies, bottles of wine and cigars, the other a firewood bundle. In all the clatter, the three friends go to the front of the fireplace, they turn and shout with amazement at the supplies provided by the boy, who places the provisions on the table. Colline takes the firewood and goes to the door near the fireplace: evening has started)

Rodolfo Firewood! Marcello Cigars! Colline Bordeaux! Rodolfo Firewood! Marcello Cigars!

Rodolfo, Marcello, Colline Fate has happily given us all the abundance of the fair. Schaunard (He enters by the door with an air of triumph, throwing to the ground some coins) For you the Bank of France has gone into deficit yet again. Colline (Rodolfo and Marcello pick them up) Pick them up, pick them up! Marcello -- (disbelievingly) They're just pieces of tin!... Schaunard Are you deaf? Are you dim-sighted? (showing him one of the coins) Look who it is? Rodolfo -- (bowing) Louis-Philippe! I bow to my King.

The Four (Putting the coins on the table) It is Louis-Philippe and he lies at our feet! (They place the coins on the table. Schaunard wants to tell them about their good fortune, but the others are not listening: they come and go, busily arranging the table) Schaunard Now listen; these gold coins, or rather, silver, have their own noble history... Marcello (placing the firewood in the fireplace) Let's heat up the fireplace! Colline Much cold it has suffered! Schaunard ...An English Lord...Lord... Milord, or whatever, wanted a musician... Marcello (throwing Colline's bundle of books off the table) Away! Let's set the table! Schaunard (continuing his narration) ...Me. maybe? I fly!...

Rodolfo Where's the kindling wood? Colline There. Marcello Here (They ignite a grand fire in the fireplace) Schaunard ..to present myself. He takes me on, I ask him... Colline (Laying out the dishes) Cold roast! Marcello (while Rodolfo ignites the other candle) Sweet pastry! Schaunard ...when should we start our lessons?... (realising that no one is paying any attention) ...I present myself, he accepts me, and I ask him: when do we start lessons?

He answers: (imitating the English accent) "Right now old chap!"... "Look!" he says and he points to a parrot on the first floor, then adds: "until the parrot dies you go on playing."... Rodolfo Let the room shine with splendour. Marcello Now the candles (Placing the two candles on the table)

Schaunard ...And that's what happened: I played for three long days... I'm a good looking fellow so I exercised my charm and won the maid's affection. Colline Sweet pastry! Marcello No tablecloth, we can't eat without a tablecloth?

Rodolfo (taking a newspaper from his pocket and spreading it out on the table) An idea!... Marcello and Colline The Constitutional! Rodolfo ...Optimal paper... We eat, and devour... Schaunard ..I prepared a parsley mix... Rodolfo ...the feast! Schaunard ...Lorito spread his wings out, Lorito opened up his beak; I fed him my parsley mix. and then like Socrates, he died!

(Seeing that nobody is paying attention, he seizes Colline who passes him while carrying a plate) Colline -- (with annoyance) Who? Schaunard To the devil with the lot of you! (Then, seeing that the others are beginning to eat the cold pie) What are you doing? No! These are for later, they have to last us through dark wintry evenings. (putting everything away in the little cupboard)

Dining at home on the night before Christmas! While all throughout the festive Latin Quarter is adorned with sausages and luscious titbits? I detect the aroma of fritters which permeates its old streets? There the young girls sing with contentment..

Rodolfo, Marcello, Colline (laughing, they encircle Schaunard) Christmas Eve! Schaunard With each girl there's a student for an echo! Religion had its place, gentlemen: we'll drink at home, but we're dining out! (Rodolfo locks the door, then they all stand around the table and pour the wine) Benoît (There's a knock at the door: they stop dumbfounded) May I? Marcello Who is there? Benoît Benoît!

Marcello It's the the landlord! Schaunard Close the door in his face! Colline --(shouts out) Nobody's home! Schaunard The door's locked! Benoît A word please!

Schaunard (After he consults the others, he opens the door) Only one! Benoît (He enters smiling: sees Marcello and presenting a paper that says rent) Marcello (receiving it with great cordiality) Here! Offer him a chair. Rodolfo Promptly. Benoît Don't bother, I'd like to...

Schaunard Take a seat! Marcello Can we get you a drink? (He pours some wine) Benoît Thank you! Rodolfo and Colline Your health, Sir! (They all drink. Seated are Benoît, Rodolfo, Marcello and Schaunard, Colline is on his feet. Benoît puts down the glass and shows Marcello the paper)

Colline Your health, Sir! Benoît It's the bill for the last quarter... Marcello (With naivety) I'm pleased to hear it. Benoît And therefore... Schaunard (Interrupting) Another drop, Sir? (Filling up his glass) Benoît Thank you! The Four We drink to your health, Sir!

(They are all seated having a drink. Colline takes the stool nearer to the fireplace and sits down) Benoît -- (resuming with Marcello) I've come to see you about the last quarter promised to me... Marcello (showing Benoît the coins that are on the table) I promised and now I'll honour the promise. Rodolfo (with astonishment, quietly to Marcello) What's this you're doing?

Schaunard -- (quietly to Marcello) Are you crazy? Marcello (to Benoît, without taking any notice of the two) Do you see? Come, please remain for a moment in our company. Tell us how old are you, dearest Monsieur Benoît? Benoît How old? You're joking! Rodolfo Our age, more or less.

Benoît More; a lot more. Colline He said more or less. (They refill Benoît's glass frequently) Marcello The other evening at the Mabille he was caught, in the sins of love! Benoît I was? Marcello At the Mabille, though, just the other evening he was caught making love. Try denying it!

Benoît Yes, you have a case! Marcello A pretty woman! Benoît Ah, yes, very! Schaunard You rogue! Colline Seducer! Rodolfo Rascal! Marcello Sturdy as an Oak! He's a cannon!

Rodolfo The man has good taste. Benoît Ah - ah! Marcello Those curly auburn tresses. Schaunard You rogue! Marcello He swaggered about, prouder than a Peacock! Benoît I'm old, but strong.

Rodolfo, Schaunard, Colline He swaggered about, prouder than a Peacock! Marcello To him female virtue yielded. Benoît (In full confidence) I was a shy young man, so now I need to catch up. Yes, just as relaxation, having a buxom vixen is fun... (Indicating and accentuating the shape of the female form)

I don't mean a whale, or a map of the world, I wouldn't want one with a round moon face or skinny, really skinny, no, oh no! Skinny women are hard to deal with and rarely worth the trouble. they are always complaining! For example my wife... (Marcello makes a fist on the table and raises it: the others imitate it: Benoît watches them astounded) Marcello -- (in mock indignation) This man has a wife, and his heart is full of lust! Schaunard, Colline Horror!

Rodolfo And it infects, our honest dwelling with the plague! Schaunard, Colline Out you go! Marcello We need to sweeten the room, we'd better burn some sugar! Colline On your way reprobate! Schaunard It is our moral offence...

Benoît I'm, err!...I... Marcello Silence! Schaunard ...that drives you away! Rodolfo Silence! Benoît My good Gentlemen, please... Marcello, Schaunard, Colline Silence! on your way, sir!

All Four Out you go, away from here! And good evening to your Lordship. Ha! ha! ha! (they throw him out) Marcello I have paid the quarter's rent!

Schaunard At the Latin Quarter, Momus awaits our attendance. Marcello Long live the spenders! Schaunard We'll divide the booty! Rodolfo Let's divide!

Colline Let's divide! (they divide the money that Schaunard brought) Marcello (presenting Colline with a broken mirror) There are beauties come down from Heaven here - now you are rich, pay heed to decencies you Bear, tidy up your hair. Colline I will make the acquaintance of a barber for the first time. Conduct me to the ridiculous insult of a razor. Let's go!

Schaunard Let's go! Marcello, Schaunard, Colline Let's go! Rodolfo I'll remain behind in order to finish the leading article for 'The Beaver.' Marcello Well hurry then! Rodolfo Five minutes, I know my profession. Colline We'll wait for you downstairs in the foyer. Marcello If you're late, you'll hear a chorus!

Rodolfo Five minutes. (They take a light and open the door: Marcello, Schaunard and Colline exit and go down the stairs) Schaunard -- (leaving) See your 'Beaver's' tail doesn't grow too long!

Marcello -- (from outside) Keep your eye on the stairs, hold on to the railings. Rodolfo -- (calling them) Slowly! Colline -- (from outside) It's pitch-black! Schaunard -- (from outside) Confound that janitor! (a thud is heard)

Colline Accident! Rodolfo Colline, is that you dead? Colline (from the bottom of the stairs) No, not quite! Marcello Come on hurry up! (Rodolfo sits at the table, and makes the effort to write. He later becomes impatient, and destroys what he has written, and tosses the pen to one side) Rodolfo I have no inspiration. (A timid knock at the door is heard) Who is there?

Mimì's voice -- (from outside) Excuse me please. Rodolfo -- (raising himself) A woman! Mimì's voice Please, my candle has extinguished. Rodolfo -- (He runs to open the door) Here!

Mimì (On the doorstep, with an extinguished candle in one hand and a key in the other) Would you? Rodolfo Do come in for a moment. Mimì It is not necessary. Rodolfo -- (insisting) I beg you... come in. (Mimì enters, but her breathing suddenly turns to gasps)

Rodolfo -- (Thoughtful) Are you unwell? Mimì No.. it's nothing. Rodolfo You look so pallid! Mimì I'm breathless, it's those stairs... (She faints, and Rodolfo hardly has time to support her. He carefully lays her down on a chair. Meanwhile from the hands of Mimì the candlestick and key fall) Rodolfo -- (embarrassed) What do I do? (He fetches a little water and splashes some on Mimì's face)

There! How ill she looks. (Mimì regains consciousness) Do you feel better? Mimì Yes. Rodolfo It's very cold in here, sit closer to the fire... One moment.. a little wine? Mimì Thank you. Rodolfo (He gives the glass to her and pours her a drink) For you. Mimì Just a little, only a little. Rodolfo So?

Mimì Thank you. (she drinks) Rodolfo -- (to himself) What a lovely young girl! Mimì Now if you wouldn't mind lighting my candle. Its all passed now. Rodolfo So much haste? Mimì Yes. (Rodolfo notices the candlestick on the floor, picks it up, lights the candle and gives it to Mimì without a word) Mimì Thank you and good evening. (she leaves)

Rodolfo (he accompanies her to the door) Good evening. (Returning to his work) Mimì -- (returning) Oh! dear, how thoughtless of me! Where can I have left the key to my room? Rodolfo Don't stand in the doorway; your candle's starting to waver in the draft. (Mimì's candle goes out once again)

Rodolfo (He runs over with his candle, but as he gets close to the door it goes out) Oh Heavens! my own has gone out now! Mimì Ah! Where can I have lost my key?... (Rodolfo closes the door) Rodolfo Pitch-black! Mimì Oh, how unfortunate! Rodolfo Where can it be? Mimì -- (She cautiously advances) What a nuisance you have for a neighbour... Rodolfo (turning towards Mimì's voice) You're not a nuisance. Mimì What a nuisance you have for a neighbour... Rodolfo (Searching the floor for the key with his feet) What are you saying? No not at all.

Mimì Help me look. Rodolfo I'll look. Mimì Where can it be? Rodolfo (finding the key) Ah! (putting the key in his pocket)

Mimì It is found? Rodolfo No! Mimì It seemed to me... Rodolfo In truth, no... Mimì Please look. Rodolfo I'm looking! (Pretending to search and guided by the voice and footsteps of Mimì, Rodolfo moves towards her, head bowed, hoping to touch her. Suddenly he finds himself close to Mimì, and their hands meet) Mimì -- (surprised) Oh!

Rodolfo (Holding Mimì's hand in a voice that's full of emotion) This little hand is frozen, let me warm it here in mine. What’s the use in searching? It's far too dark to find it. But by our good fortune, it's a night lit by the moon, and up here the moon is our closest of neighbours. (As Mimì tries to withdraw her hand) One moment, mademoiselle,? let me tell you in just two words, who I am, what I do, and how I live. Shall I? (Mimì says nothing: Rodolfo lets go of Mimì's hand. Full of emotion she reaches back for a chair upon which to drop)

Who am I? I am a poet. What do I do here? I Write. And how do I live? I live in my contented poverty, as if a grand lord, I squander odes and hymns of love. In my dreams and reveries, I build castles in the air, where in spirit I am a millionaire. Yet sometimes from my safe, all my gems are stolen by two thieves, a pair of lovely eyes! They entered with you just now! Now all past dreams have disappeared. Beautiful dreams I'd cherished, immediately vanished without a trace! But the theft does not wound me deeply, because, in their room they have been replaced by sweet hope! Now you know all about me. Will you tell me who you are? Will you say? Please do tell! Mimì (She is a little hesitant, then decides to speak; sitting throughout)

Yes, they always called Mimi, but my real name is Lucia. This story of mine is brief: To linen and silk I embroider, at my home or away... I have a quiet, but happy life, and my pastime is making lilies and roses. I delight in these pleasures. These things have such sweet charm, they speak of love, of Spring, of dreams and visions and the things that have poetic names. Are you understanding me? Rodolfo Yes.

Mimì They always call me Mimi, I know not why! All alone I make myself dinner. I don't attend mass often, but I pray to the Lord frequently. I live by myself, all alone, in my little white room. I look upon the roofs and the sky. But when the thaw comes, the first warmth of the sun is mine, the first kiss of April is mine! In a vase a Rosebud blooms, I watch as petal by petal unfolds, with its delicate fragrance of a flower! But the flowers that I sew, alas, have no fragrance. There's nothing more I can tell you about myself. I am your neighbour, who knocks at your door so late disturbing you at inopportune moment. Schaunard -- (from the courtyard) Hey! Rodolfo! Colline -- (from the courtyard) Rodolfo! Marcello -- (from the courtyard) Hello! Don't you hear us? (At the calling of his friends, Rodolfo starts to show impatience) Slowcoach! Colline Rhymester! Schaunard Down with you, idle one! (Getting more impatient Rodolfo holds the window open a little in order to answer to his friends who are down in the courtyard: from the open window the moon shines into the room) Rodolfo I have three more lines to write, I'll be quick.

Mimì (approaches the window a little) Who's that? Rodolfo -- (to Mimì) My friends. Schaunard You will hear...... Marcello What are you doing up there all alone? Rodolfo No! I'm not alone. There are two of us. Continue on to Café Momus and hold a place for us, we won't be long. (he remains at the window, waves to his friends to assure they go) Marcello, Schaunard and Colline (Drifting away) Momus, Momus, Momus, quietly and discreetly we'll be on our way!

Schaunard and Colline Momus, Momus! Marcello He's found his poetry! Schaunard and Colline Momus, Momus, Momus! Rodolfo Oh, beautiful maiden,... Marcello He's found his poetry! Rodolfo ...Oh, how sweet your face looks, its beauty softly kissed by the gentle moonlight. In you, sweet maiden, I see the dreams of love I have dreamt about forever. (encircling Mimì in his arms) Mimì -- (much affected) Ah! Love, only you alone guide us!

Rodolfo Such sweet love invades my soul. I feel such joy, and love so tender. Our kisses tremble with love. Mimì -- (much affected) Ah! Love, only you alone guide us! (Almost letting go) Mimì His gentle sweet words delight me, as they flatter my heart. Love, only you alone guide us! (Rodolfo kisses Mimì) Mimì -- (freeing herself) No, I beg you! Rodolfo You're mine now. Mimì Your friends are waiting. Rodolfo You're sending me away so soon?

Mimì -- (hesitant) I'd like to say, but dare not..... Rodolfo -- (with gentility) Speak! Mimì -- (with graceful cunning) What if I came with you? Rodolfo -- (surprised) what?... Mimì! (insinuating) It would be nice if we could stay here, outside its cold. Mimì -- (with great abandonment) I'll stay close by you. Rodolfo And when we return?

Mimì -- (mischievously) Wait and find out! Rodolfo (he tenderly assists Mimì with her shawl) Take my arm, my little one. Mimì -- (giving her arm to Rodolfo) Sir, I'll do as you say. (Arm in arm they start towards the door) Rodolfo Tell me you love me! Mimì -- (with abandonment) I love you. (they leave) Mimì and Rodolfo -- (from outside) Sweet love! sweet love! sweet love!

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END OF ACT I