La Boheme
OPER in the CRYPT
La Bohème – Giacomo Puccini
Mimì – Katharina J.A. Gebauer
Musetta – Leah Manning
Rodolfo – Sergio Tallo-Torres
Marcello – Yechan Bahk
Schaunard – Minhyuk Choi
Colline – Florian Pejrimovsky
Benoit/Alcindoro – Michael Pinsker
Musical Direction – Ekaterina Nokkert
Production/Lighting Technology – Dorothee Stanglmayr
With "La Bohème," Puccini created his most lovable characters. His strength lay in musically capturing the little things in life, hitting straight to the heart.
OPER in the CRYPT offers an intimate, authentic opera theatre experience. Internationally renowned artists sing and perform dramatically right in front of and among their guests. Intense and gripping, “La Bohème” is presented here just as Puccini himself liked to present his work after completion – with exclusive piano accompaniment. A touching, powerful experience that one does not forget.
The hall is pleasantly tempered in every season.
Plot:
Act 1
The impoverished Bohemians Rodolfo, the poet, Marcello, the painter, Schaunard, the musician, and Colline, the philosopher, celebrate Christmas in their shared attic in Paris. Schaunard, who has made some money, treats them to a lavish meal and firewood for the freezing room. As they want to continue celebrating at the popular Café Momus, the poet Rodolfo decides to stay alone for a while to finish his work.
Suddenly, there is a knock at the door. Mimì, a neighbor, asks for fire for her extinguished candle, but a coughing fit leaves her exhausted. As she wants to leave, she realizes she has lost her key. Once again, the candlelight goes out in the draft. Rodolfo finds it first and cheekily hides it in his hand. While feeling the floor, their hands touch, and it's love at first sight for both.
The friends call for Rodolfo from below, whose heart has already completely fallen for Mimì. The couple leaves the attic together and follows their companions.
Act 2
On the way to Café Momus, Rodolfo buys Mimì a pink cap with his last money. He introduces her to his friends, and a conversation about love unfolds that particularly annoys Marcello, who has been disappointed by it.
Suddenly, Musetta, his former lover, appears and does everything to regain his attention upon seeing Marcello. The former couple reunites, and everyone leaves the café together, leaving the bill unpaid.
Act 3
Some time later, Mimì desperately searches for Marcello in the early morning hours in a small, snowy place. Rodolfo has left her after a fit of jealousy. When he suddenly appears, she hides nearby and listens. In shock, she learns the true reason for his behavior. Out of fear and helplessness, he could no longer bear her condition. Mimì is suffering from tuberculosis. Their life together in his freezing attic has worsened her health even more.
When Mimì can no longer control her coughing, Rodolfo discovers her, and they fall into each other's arms. But ultimately, they comfort each other and part ways. Meanwhile, Musetta and Marcello get into a heated argument until, furious, they also separate.
Act 4
Meanwhile, spring has come. Rodolfo and Marcello are working in their attic, but nothing goes right. Each thinks of their lost love. When Colline and Schaunard cheer up their friends, they briefly forget their heartache and engage in a carefree game.
Suddenly, Musetta rushes in and asks Rodolfo for help. The gravely ill Mimì wants to see her Rodolfo one last time. The friends lay her on their worn-out sofa. Musetta, whose big heart can hardly bear the suffering, fulfills her last wish. She goes and buys a muff for Mimì's icy hands. Colline decides to pawn his only possession, his coat, to raise money for the doctor. Marcello receives Musetta's earrings to also pawn them for the doctor.
Left alone, Mimì and Rodolfo reminisce about their great love. When the friends arrive, Mimì is delighted with the wonderful muff. Musetta assures her that it was from Rodolfo. Happy, she falls asleep on it.
While they prepare the medicine, Schaunard notices that Mimì has died. Distraught, Rodolfo collapses over his beloved.
Hallo, ich bin Maya.
