La Bohème

Giuseppe Giacosa (1847 - 1906) and Luigi Illica (1857 - 1919)
Translated by William Grist and Percy Edward Pinkerton (1855 - 1946)

In 1830s Paris, four struggling Bohemian artists: the poet Rodolfo, the painter Marcello, the musician Schaunard, and the philosopher Colline, live poorly, but happily. On Christmas Eve, to celebrate, the four split the month's rent and decide to go out drinking in the Latin Quarter. Rodolfo stays behind to finish a poem, when their frail neighbor, Mimi, knocks on the door. An equally poor seamstress, she begs him to light her candle. In an instant, his candle goes out as well, and Mimi drops her key in the dark. As they search for it, they fall in love. And thus, a tragic love begins, as tuberculosis threatens to tear Mimi away from person and people she has come to love. Originally written in Italian, but translated into English, this libretto is the base for one of Giacomo Puccini's most beloved and often performed operas. It is also the inspiration of the famous 1994 rock musical and 2005 movie Rent by Jonathan Larson. This recording is a dramatic reading. Summary by Mary Kay.

Cast List:
Narrator: Kalynda
Rudolph: Tomas Peter
Schaunard: alanmapstone
Benoit: Donald Gilmore
Mimi: Lydia and Linda Olsen Fitak
Marcel: ToddHW
Colline & Sargant: Nemo
Musetta: Eva Davis
Parpignol: Joseph Tabler
Alcindoro de Mitonneaux: Jason in Panama
Customs House Official: Algy Pug
Chorus Members: Donald Gilmore,
Leanne Yau,
Grace Keller Scotch,
Algy Pug,
MaryAnn,
Kieren Metts and
Nemo

Editors: Linny,
Devorah Allen and
Eva Davis

Prooflisteners: afutterer and NemoR

Genre(s): Tragedy

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 00 Dramatis Personae 00:07:49
Play 01 Act I Group 00:26:39
Play 02 Act II Group 00:22:49
Play 03 Act III Group 00:15:12
Play 04 Act IV Group 00:20:51