This “Red Sea” makes me feel damp and cold
As if the water is dripping down my back...
I shall take revenge against it by drowning a Pharaoh!
What are you doing?
In the grey sky, I see smoke rising up from thousands of chimneys in Paris...
...and I think of our old, deceitful, good for nothing stove...
...idly sitting on its rear like royalty!
It has been awhile since he received his just wages.
Dumb forest! What are those trees doing underneath the snow?
Now, Rodolfo, let me tell you some earth-shattering news:
I‘m freezing!
And I won‘t lie to you, Marcello...I‘m not exactly sweating either.
My fingers are frozen numb...
...as if they’ve been plunged into that great big icebox...
...known as Musetta’s heart!
Love is a stove that burns too fiercely...
And too quickly!
- Where man is the fuel... - And woman the fire iron!
- One burns in a flash...
- And the other stands by and watches!
- Meanwhile we‘re freezing!
- And dying of hunger!
We must have fire…
Wait! We‘ll sacrifice the chair!
Eureka!
You found something?
Yes!
Sharpen your wits! Let your idea spark into flames!
We‘re burning my painting?
No, that would stink too much...
But my play… My smoldering drama shall give us warmth!
You plan to read it? I‘m freezing already!
No! Let the paper burn. And while it turns into ash,
inspiration will fly back to the heavens. ...And Rome must be saved!
- What a noble heart!
Here‘s the first act. - Give it here.
- Tear it up.
- Lighting it...
What a happy glow!
Signs of the Apocalypse are upon us!
No pawning allowed on Christmas Eve?!
A fire!
Quiet! My play is being presented.
...to the flames, I see.
- I find it scintillating!
- Vivid!
But brief.
- Brevity has its merits.
Your chair, please, Mr. Author.
These intermissions can bore one to death. Get on with it!
The second act...
No whispering in the theater!
What profound thoughts! - How colorful!
In that languishing blue flame, a love scene is playing out.
A page crackles.
Those were kisses.
Now I want to see all three acts together!
And this is how daring ideas become one.
How beautiful to have it conclude in a joyous fire!
Oh God, the fire is dying already!
What a vain and fragile drama!
It’s crackling...curling...
...dying...
Down! Down with the author!
- Firewood! - Cigars! - Bordeaux!
Destiny has granted us an abundance of fare!
For you, the entire wealth of the bank of France, and then some!
- Come, pick them up
- What are they? Tin pieces?
Either you are deaf or you are blind!
Whose face is on these coins?
- King Louis Philippe! I bow to my king! - It’s Louis Philippe at our feet!
Now I will tell you…
This gold, or silver rather,
has a fine history…
Let’s fire up the stove! It‘s been cold for too long!
There was an English gentlemen… Lord…or “Milord” rather,
Needed a musician…
- Be gone! Let’s prepare the table.
- Where are the matches?
I introduced myself.
...He hired me. Then I asked him... - Cold roast beef. - Pastries!
…“When do we start?”
As I was saying...I presented myself; He hired me; Then I asked...
“When do we start the lesson?”
He answered, “Let’s begin now!”
“Look!”, and he pointed to a parrot on the first floor
…then he added: “You will play until that thing is dead!”
- …And so…I played for three long days!...
- Now light the candles!
…Then with the lure of my handsome looks…
- What? Eat without \a table cloth? - …I charmed the maid…
- Here’s an idea!... - The “Constitution!”
- Excellent! A feast for the body and the mind!
I fed the parsley to the parrot…
“Lorito” spread its wings,
then opened its beak...
...Lorito had a peck of parsley, and died like Socrates!
Who?
To hell with all of you!
What are you doing?
No!
These should be saved...
...for those dark and bleak days ahead!
To dine at home on Christmas Eve?...
...While the streets of the Latin Quarter...
...are decked with delicacies?...
...When the aroma of fritters permeates...
...through the ancient streets?...
...Where girls are singing merrily... - It is Christmas Eve!
...each tailed by a younger version of themselves?
Have yourselves a little religion, gentlemen!
We drink at home, but we will dine out!
May I come in?
- Who is it? - Benoît!
It’s the landlord!
Shut the door quickly!
No one is home!
It’s locked.
Just one word.
Only one!
RENT!
- Quick! Get this man a chair!
- Quickly! That won’t be necessary. I’d just like…
- Be seated. - Would you like a drink?
- Let’s toast! - Drink!
- This is for the last quarter of the year.
- I’m glad to hear it!
- So therefore… - Another sip?
- Let’s toast! To your health!
I’m here because, last quarter,
...you promised me…
A promise that I will be keeping.
- What are you doing? - Are you mad?
You see? Now then, stay for a few moments
and enjoy our company…
Come, tell me: How old are you, Mr. Benoît?
How old?... Oh please…
- More or less our age?
- Older! Much older! He says it’s about the same.
The other night at the Mabille,
they caught him in a moment of passion!
- Me? - At the Mabille. They caught you the other night!
- Don’t deny it!
- Perhaps…by chance. - A beautiful woman!
- Ah! Very! - You scoundrel, you!- Seducer!
- Oh! He’s an oak! A real cannon!
- And the man has good taste to boot!
- Her hair was curly and auburn.
And he was in high spirits! All lively and proud.
I may be old but I’m robust! - And he was ecstatic, frisky and puffed up!
To him she surrendered her feminine virtue.
I was bashful in my youth, and now I’m making up for it!
You see, it’s just harmless fun. A little cheerful maiden...
...with a bit of…
Now, I don’t mean a whale or the shape of a globe,
...or face as round as the moon…
…but skinny, really skinny? No, really no!
Skinny women can be tiresome and thorny…
…and full of headaches!
Take for instance…
- Who?
My wife!
This man has a wife and is harboring obscene thoughts?!
- The horror!
- His presence is polluting our sanctuary!
- Get out!
- We must fumigate this place!
- Let’s drive this swine out!
- You’ve offended our sense of morality!
Silence!
- But gentlemen! - Silence!
Get out! Be gone!
And good night to your lordship!
There! I paid the rent!
Momus awaits us in the Latin Quarter!
- Long live the one who pays! - Let’s divide the money!
Out there are beauties sent from heaven;
Now that you’re rich, make yourself more presentable!
Grizzly, it’s time that you trim your mane!
I will acquaint myself with the barber for the very first time.
Guide me to that ridiculous abomination: "The Razor"!
Let’s go!
I have to stay to finish my article for the paper, “The Beaver”.
- Hurry it up then! - Just five minutes. I know my craft!
- We’ll wait for you by the doorman. - You’ll hear us complain if you dawdle.
Five minutes.
Cut your beaver’s tail short - and hurry!
Watch your steps! Hold on to the railing.
Go slowly!
- It’s pitch dark! - Damned that janitor!
- Colline, you dead? - Not today!
Come, quickly!
I’m not in the mood!
- Who’s there? - Excuse me…
A woman!
- Please, my candle has gone out! - I’m coming…
- Would you mind? - Please, come in.
- That’s not necessary. - Do come in, please.
- Are you feeling ill? - No, it’s nothing.
You’re pale!
I’m just out of breath!... Those stairs!
Now what do I do? ...Like this...
How ill she looks!
- Are you feeling better? - Yes.
It is very cold here. Come sit by the fire. Oh! Wait…
- A bit of wine? - Thank you. Not too much please!
- Like this? - Thank you.
(What a beautiful girl!)
Please let me light my candle. I'm fine now.
So soon? - Yes...
Thank you. Good night.
Good night to you too!
Oh foolish me! Where did I drop my key?
Don’t stand by the door; the wind will blow out your candle.
Oh Goodness! Would you mind lighting it again?
Oh Lord! Now mine is out too!
- My key…where can it be? - It is pitch black…
- Unlucky me! - Where can it be?
- You have a troublesome neighbor!... - Not at all!
What a bother I must be!
Not at all, what a silly thing to say!
Help me look for my key. - I’m looking!
Oh where can it be? - Ah!
- You found it? - No.
- But I thought… - No, honest!
- Are you looking for it? - Yes!
What a frigid little hand! Let me warm it up for you.
What’s the use of searching when it is pitch black?!
But luckily, tonight we have moon light…
…and over here, the moon will be right next to us!
In a few words, my lady, I will tell you...
...who I am, what I do, and how I live.
Would you like that?
Who am I?
I’m a poet. What do I do? I write!
How do I live? I get by!
In my happy poverty...
...like a great Lord with money....
...I squander rhymes of love.
When it comes to dreams, chimeras, or castles in the air…
…I have the spirit of a millionaire!
Yet at times my treasure can be taken…
…stolen from my coffers by two thieves: two beautiful eyes.
They entered with you just now; And my familiar dreams…
…all my pretty and comforting dreams, gone in a flash!
But I do not grieve for this loss…
…because hope, sweet hope...
...has taken their place!
And now that you know who I am, please tell me…come, do tell…
Who are you?... Tell me? Please?
They call me Mimi, but my real name is Lucia.
My story is a short one… I embroider on fine cloth or silk, at home or away.
I am tranquil and happy...
...and in my spare time I make lilies and roses.
I love flowers, and all things with gentle magic…
…I love all things that speak to me, of love...of spring…
…and things that speak of dreams and fantasies....
...things they call poetry…
- …do you understand me? - Yes.
They call me Mimi. Why? I don’t know.
I live by myself and I eat alone. I don’t often go to church...
but I like to pray.
I live alone...
in my tiny white chamber...
...where I stare at roofs, and into the sky.
But when winter is over, the spring’s first sun is mine!
Yes! April’s first kiss is mine…
...the sun’s radiance is mine!...
A rose blossoms in my vase, I watch petal by petal...
How delicate is the flower’s fragrance!
But the flowers I make, alas...
...the flowers I make...
...have no scent!
More than this I cannot tell you…
I’m just a neighbor who disrupts you at odd hours of the night.
Hey! Rodolfo! Can’t you hear us?
- Hey you slow poke! - Some poet you are!
- Damned that lazy one!
Just three more lines! I’ll do it fast!
- Who are they? - Friends.
- Come or you’ll get an earful! - What are you doing there alone?
I’m not alone, there are two of us here!
Go to Momus and get us a table. We’ll be there soon.
Momus, Momus! To Momus we quietly go!
For Rodolfo has found his muse… Momus, to Momus here we go!
Oh lovely maiden...
with a face framed so sweetly by the gentle moonlight!
In you I see the dream…
...the dream I wish to have every night!
Such supreme tenderness, it shakes me to the core!
You alone command love!
Such supreme felicity...
Such silky praises…how they melt my heart!
- Only love can command such power! - Love reverberates in our kiss!
- No, please… - Be mine!
- Your friends are waiting… - You’re sending me away already?
I should like… No, I dare not ask!
Tell me.
May I come with you?
What? Mimi…
But wouldn’t it be much nicer to stay here? It is so cold outside…
But I’ll be near you!
- And…when we return? - Who is to know?...
- Take my arm, my darling…
- As you wish sir…
- Do you love me? Tell me…
- I do, I love you…
Oranges! Dates! Roasted chestnuts!....
Pies!.... Whipped cream!....
What a crowd! Hold on tightly now! Come let’s go!
Coconut milk! Nougats! Caramel Candies!....
How festive! Come along!....
Quickly, something to drink!.... Hey waiter, how about a beer?....
- Coats! Flowers! Carrots!.... - Don't dawdle! Let's go!....
The “Re” is off! This horn is out of tune!...
...Alright, how much for both?
- Hm…this coat's a bit worn… - Are we going for that bonnet?
…but the material is sturdy and it's cheap!
- Hold onto my arm…Come! - I'm holding on!
Yes, Let's go!
I’m in the mood to shout.
Hey girls! Who wants a piece of this lover boy?
Let’s play…buyer and seller!...
…I’ll sell you my virgin heart for a penny!
- Look at this frenzy… - Trinkets! Flowers for the ladies!
Check out the coat and this rare book I got!
He went into that hat shop…
- To dinner we go! - Rodolfo?
- Come, my friends are waiting. - You think this pink bonnet will suit me?
This color complements your dark complexion perfectly.
What a beautiful coral necklace!
My uncle’s a millionaire. And if the good Lord comes to his senses...
...I’ll buy you a prettier necklace.
- Let’s join the line! - Girls, be careful!
What a crowd! I’m suffocating! Girls be careful!
Let’s take Mazarine Street; See the café?
Let’s go! To Momus!
- Who are you looking at? - I hate crowds…
- Why do you ask? Are you jealous? - A happy man must also be suspicious.
I like to have room when I'm stuffing myself!
- Are you happy? -Waiter, get us your best dishes!
- Yes, I’m very happy! Are you?
So very much so!
To Momus! Quick! Let’s go!
Waiter!
Here are Parpignol and his toys!
- For two please. Here we are!... - Finally, they’re here.
This is Mimi, the happy flower maker.
Her presence completes this fine party;
…for I am the poet...
...and she is my muse.
From my head the songs burst forth, from her hands the flowers bloom;
…and from jubilant souls, love emerges…
…love blossoms!
Dear God, what a revolutionary metaphor!
(Latin) She’s a worthy inductee.
She must join us!
I won’t give anything but an “I agree”
Here’s Parpignol and his toys!
Salami!
Parpignol's here! With his cart decked with flowers!
I want the trumpet! The horsey! The drum and tambourine!
I want the cannon! The whips! And toy soldiers!
- Roasted venison! - A turkey!
- Rhine wine! - House wine!
Lobster, shelled!
Bunch of devilish brats! What are you doing in this place?
Go home! Be gone! Go to bed! Ugly rascals!
Get going before I decide you need more slapping.
But I want a trumpet and a horse!
And Mimi, what will you order?
The custard.
Bring out your best for the lady!
Long live Parpignol! Trumpets and toy soldiers hurray!
Now then Miss Mimi, what beautiful presents did Rodolfo get you?
A pink bonnet with embroidery; it matches my brown hair.
For the longest time I wanted a bonnet like this one;
…he read my heart and found my wish.
He who can read inside one’s heart is an expert in love.
Yes, an expert and professor...
A professor who has multiple diplomas, and is armed with polished rhymes.
Rhymes so good that you would think that it’s all true.
Oh the sweet age of deceitful utopias!
One believes and hopes, and everything’s rosy!
The most divine of poems, my friend, are ones that teach us to love!
Love is sweeter than honey, much sweeter.
Depending upon the palate, it’s either honey or bile!
- Oh Heavens! I’ve offended him. - Oh my Mimi, he’s just in mourning.
Let’s be merry and toast!
Here, more alcohol!
Out with the thoughts. Up with the glasses! Let’s drink!
Let me down some poison…
- …it’s her! - Musetta!
Well! Musetta! She has returned!
Aren’t we glamorous! What a getup!
Like a porter, running here and there… This just isn’t done!
- Come Lulu! - I can’t take it any more!
I think that ugly thing is sweating!
- What? Here? Outside? - Sit down Lulu!
The nicknames, please… save them for when we’re alone!
Stop acting like a Bluebeard!
- He is depravity personified!
- With the chaste Susanna!
Yet she is very well dressed!
Only because angels go naked!
Do you know her? Who is she?
Don’t ask him, ask me!...
- Her name is Musetta... - (Marcello saw me...
- …otherwise known as the Temptation! - …but he’s ignoring me, the coward!)
As for her vocation, she’s like the fowl of a wind vane…
…her love and lovers change whenever the wind blows.
(They’re vexing me!)
Like the owl, this is a blood-thirsty carnivorous bird…
…whose diet of choice is the human heart!
- It eats heart! My heart!... - (Just you wait and see!)
…And that’s why I have none left! Pass me the stew.
Hey waiter!... This dish…the frying oil smells stale!
No, Musetta. Calm down! Hush!
- (He won’t turn around!) - Hush! Manners! Show some decorum!
- He’s still not looking! I can do this, I’ll show him! - Who are you talking to?
I will do what I please!
- Not so loud! Softly! - I will talk as loudly as I want!
Don’t bother me!
Look who there? It’s Musetta all right! With that stammering old man!
(Could he be jealous of this mummy?)
(Let’s see if I still have some power over him...)
(...enough to make him give in.)
This comedy is stupendous!
- Hey! You’re not looking at me! - Can’t you see that I’m ordering?
You should know, for your reference… I will never forgive you, ever!
She’s really talking to this one...
I love you, so much! I am all yours!...
…Why do you speak of forgiveness to me?
Look at Marcello…He pretends to not care but he's secretly touched by her antics.
- But your heart is pounding for me! - Speak softly!
As I wander alone down the streets people stop and look at me…
…and they find beauty in me from head to toe.
- Shackle me to the chair! - What will people think of me?
And I savor the yearning that flows forth from their glances…
…from eyes that appreciate the hidden beauties of my obvious charms.
The bubbling desire that surrounds me…
…ah, how happy it makes me!
- And you, the one who knows… - How scandalous!...
This song sickens me!
- …who remembers and suffers… - I can see well that this poor girl…
- …and you think you can hide from me? - …is still infatuated with Marcello!....
I know you very well, you and your agony…
…you would never reveal your pain, yet you feel like dying!
What will the others say?!
Marcello once loved her...
Then the flirt abandoned him to devote herself to a better life.
- They both find the noose alluring… - Dear God, what a pickle!
- …both the executioner and the prisoner! - You won’t find Colline in such a trap!
(Ah! Marcello is raving! I’ve defeated him!)
- (Yes she’s pretty; But I like my pipe and books better!....)
- I pity that poor girl…for selfish love is joyless…. - Frail love can't defend itself; it cannot be resurrected.
I do what I want and I’ll do as I please!!!...
Don’t bother me!...
(Now it’s time to rid myself of this old man!)
What’s the matter?
What pain! It burns!
Where?
It’s my foot!
- Ah! My youth!... - Loosen it!
- ...You’re not dead! - ...Take it off! I beg you please!
- …and your memory lives on… - Down that street is the shoe maker…
- If you come knocking on my door… - …I want another pair! Ow! It pinches!
…my heart will open for you!
- Marcello! - My siren!
And here’s the finale!
The bill!
So soon?
Who asked for it?
Let’s see…
Oh dear!...Heavens!... Out with the money!
Colline, Rodolfo…and you Marcello?
- What?? - I only have thirty sous in all!
What?? There isn’t more?
Where did all my money go?!
The tattoo is here!.... Where?....
Waiter, please hand me my bill…
Add the two bills together please.
Make way for the tattoo!.... Let me see!....
Quickly, add up the two bills.
The gentleman who was here with me will pay.
Yes! The rich gentleman will pay!!....
And here, by his seat, he will find my parting gift!
At his place, he will find her farewell!
Keep watch! The old man might catch us with his prey!
This packed crowd is a perfect cover for us!
Here’s the drum major!...How splendorous! He salutes, passes, and marches on!
Long live Musetta and her roguish heart!
Glory and honor to the Latin Quarter!
Hey, there! Guards! Open up!
We’re the sweepers from Gentilly.
Its snowing. Hey! We’re freezing here.
Coming!
Some find pleasure in their cups.
On ardent lips some find love.
Ah! Pleasur e is in the glass! Love lies on your lips.
Here come the milkmaids!
Good morning!
Butter and cheese!
Chickens and eggs!
- Which way are you going? - To Saint Michel!
- Shall we meet later? - Yes, at noon.
Excuse me, can you tell me where the tavern is...
...where a painter is working?
- There it is. - Thank you!
Oh, good woman, please... Be good enough to find me Marcello, the painter.
I must see him quickly. Tell him Mimi’s waiting.
Hey! What’s in that basket?!
- Empty! - Let her through.
Mimi!
I hoped I’d find you here.
Yes. We’ve been here for a month …at their expense…
Musetta teaches the guests singing…
And I paint those warriors by the door there…
It’s cold. Come inside.
- Is Rodolfo there? - Yes.
- No, I can’t go in. No! - Why not?
Oh! help me, good Marcello! Help me!
What’s happened?
Rodolfo - he loves me but flees from me. He's consumed by jealousy…
A gesture, a word, a compliment, a flower...
they all arouse his suspicions, then dismay and anger.
Sometimes at night I pretend to sleep,
...and I feel his eyes trying to spy on my dreams.
He shouts at me all the time: “You're not for me!
...Go find yourself another lover!"
I know he is saying this out of anger, but how do I respond to that, Marcello?
When people are like you two, they can’t live together.
You’re right. It is best that we part... Please, help us separate!
- We’ve tried over and over, but in vain. - I do not take Musetta too seriously…
…and she too, treats me similarly. We love light-heartedly.
- Laughter and song... - Yes, you’re right…
- ...that’s the secret of a lasting love. - ...We should separate!
- Help us! Do what you can for us! - All right…
- Let me wake him up. - Is he sleeping?
He stumbled in here an hour before dawn and fell asleep on a bench…
Take a look for yourself.
What a cough.
- I’ve been aching all over since yesterday...
He left during the night, saying: “It’s all over”…
Then, at dawn, he set out to find you and came here.
He’s waking up… He's looking for me.
- He's coming… - He mustn't see me!
Go home now, Mimi. please.
Don’t make a scene here.
Marcello. At last! I need to talk. No one can hear us here.
I want to leave Mimi.
Are you that fickle?
Already once before I thought my heart was dead…
But it revived at the gleam of her blue eyes.
But now…boredom has sets in…
And you’ll bury it again?
- Forever! - You must change your ways!...
Gloomy love is madness and brews only tears.
If it doesn’t laugh and glow love has no strength or voice.
- Are you jealous? - A little.
You’re raving mad, like the green eye monster, a boor, a mule!
(He’ll make him angry. Poor me!)
Mimi’s just a flirt toying with them all.
A foppish Viscount eyes her with longing…
…And she shows him her ankles, luring him on.
Do I have to say it? You don't seem sincere...
All right, then, I’m not.
I try in vain to hide what really torments me.
I love Mimi more than the world! I love her so!
But I’m afraid…
…Mimi is terribly ill, she’s getting weaker by the day.
- The poor little thing is doomed... - Mimi?...
(What is he saying?)
A horrible coughing rattles her fragile chest...
…Her pale cheeks flushes blood red when she coughs...
- Poor Mimi! - (Am I dying? Alas!)
My room’s like a cave. The fire has gone out.
And the bitter cold wind…
...roars through my room so easily.
She laughs and sings; And I’m seized with remorse.
I’m the cause of the illness that’s killing her!
- What’s there to be done? - (Oh! My life!...)
- Mimi is like tropical flower... - (My life…it’s all over!....)
Every day it gets worse...
- To revive her…love is not enough!... - (Alas! To die!....) - Oh the poor thing!
- What? Mimi? You’re here! You heard me! - (She must have heard everything then!)
Pay no attention to it - I’m easily frightened. I’m fretting over nothing…
Come inside where it’s warm!
No! It’s too stuffy, I’ll suffocate!
Oh! Mimi...
That’s Musetta laughing! Who is she flirting with?!
What a hussy! I’ll teach her!
- Farewell! - What? You’re leaving?
Back to the place I left, at the urging of my lover…
Alone I will return to my solitary nest…
...to make fake flowers.
Good bye... ...without bitterness.
But listen...please gather up the few things I've left behind.
In the trunk there’s the little bracelet and my prayer book…
Wrap them…in an apron and I’ll send someone for them…
Wait! Under my pillow there’s my pink bonnet.
It's yours...it's yours...
…If you want it, keep it in memory of our love.
Good-bye, no hard feelings.
So it’s really over. You're leaving, my little one?
Good-bye to our dreams of love.
Good-bye to our sweet wakening.
Good-bye, to the life in a dream…
- Good-bye, to rebukes and jealousies... - Jealousies calmed only by your smile…
- Good-bye, to suspicions... - …to kisses…
…to the poignant bitterness...
…to rhymes that I made with caresses…
- To be alone!... - To be alone in winter is death!...
...alone...
But when spring comes the sun will be our companion.
- What were you doing with that man? - What are you saying??
Nobody’s lonely in April.
- Just now when I came in you blushed suddenly!
- All I did was blush at that man’s question...
“Do you like dancing Miss?”
Vain, frivolous minx!
- In spring one can speak to flowers… - …birds will sing softly in their nests…
- You knew your speech insinuates other desires!
I want my freedom!
Oh! I'll teach you a lesson...
...if you keep flirting like that!
- When the flowers blossom…. - …the sun will be our companion!....
I can’t stand lovers who act like husbands!...
- The chatter of the mountains… - I will not be laughed by some upstart!
- …the breeze of the ocean… - I will make love with whomever I please!...
- …they will wash away all our parting sorrows… - ...Don't like it? Then Musetta leaves! - You leaving? I thank you kindly!
I bid you farewell!
- Maybe it is best we part in the spring? - Good riddance!
House painter!
Viper!
Toad!
Witch!
I will always be yours.
- Our time for parting… - …will be when the flowers bloom.
I wish winter would last forever!...
We'll part when the flowers bloom again...
In a carriage?
With footmen and horses. She greeted me, laughing!
“So. Musetta," I said, “How is your heart?”
She said: “It doesn’t beat - at least I don’t feel it...“
“…Thanks to the velvet that covers it!”
Is that so? I'm glad to hear it! So very glad!
(Faker, go on! You’re laughing and fretting inside.)
Not beating? Good!!
- I saw someone as well. - Musetta?...
- Mimi. - You saw her? Really?
She was in a carriage as well dressed like a queen.
- That’s fine. I’m delighted. - (The liar! Love’s consuming him.)
- Let’s get to work! - Yes, lets!
- This pen is terrible! - So is this brush!
O Mimi, you won’t return! O lovely days!
Those tiny hands…those sweet-smelling locks…
I don't know how my brush works…
- …it seems to mix wrongs colors to spite me!... …that snowy neck! Ah! Mimi! My short-lived youth!
Whether I want to paint the earth or sky, spring or winter…
…my brush outlines two dark eyes, and inviting lips…
…and Musetta’s sweet face appears…
- And you, little pink bonnet... - Her face comes forward then…
- ...she hid under the pillow… - ...so lovely and false…
- …you know the joy that we had together. - ...Meanwhile, Musetta is enjoying life…
- Come to my cold heart, little bonnet… - …and my wretched heart calls for her here…
- …my cold heart that’s broken... - …my worthless heart, calls for her...
- ...by death of our love. - ...and awaits her.
What time is it?
- Time for dinner, yesterday’s dinner. - And Schaunard’s not back.
- Here we are. - About time! Well?...
- Just bread? - And a dish worthy of Demosthenes:
- Fish! - Salted fish!
- Dinner’s on the table! - This is like a feast day in wonderland.
Now let’s put the champagne on ice!
Which do you choose, Baron? Trout or salmon?
Well, Duke, how about the tongue of that poisoned parrot?
No thank you. It’s fattening. I need to dance this evening.
Full already?
I’m in a hurry. The King is waiting for me.
- Is there some plot? - Some mystery?
What could he mean? What could it be?
King and country had summoned me to a post in the ministry!
Excellent! Bravo!
So...I’ll get to see the Prime Minister!
- Pass me the goblet. - Here. Drink. I’ll eat.
May I make a toast?...
- Stop! No! - Make a toast with this stuff?!
I'm inspired to write a song about tonight…
- Something choreographic then? - Yes! That’s better.
Dance with vocal accompaniment!
Let’s clear the stage for dance.
- How about gavotte? - Minuet.
Pavanella.
Fandango!
- I suggest the quadrille. - Take your lady’s arm.
I'll call the figures.
Allow me lovely maiden...
Please sir, respect my modesty!
No! You animal!
What boorish manners!
If I'm not mistaken, I think you're insulting me!
Draw your sword!
Get ready! Have a taste of this!
I’ll drink your blood.
One of us will be done soon.
Have a stretcher ready!
And a graveyard too!
While the battle rages on, the dancers circle and leap.
Musetta!
Mimi’s here… and she’s ill.
Where is she?
She couldn’t find strength to climb all the stairs.
We’ll move the bed closer.
Here. Take a drink.
Rodolfo!
Hush! Rest now.
Oh my Rodolfo! Do you want me here with you?
Ah! My Mimi! Always, always!
I heard that Mimi had left the old Viscount...
...and was nearing the end of her life.
But where did she go? I went looking, searching...
Then I saw her, barely dragging herself along on the streets.
She said, “I won’t last long. I know I’m dying…”
“…but I want to die next to him… Perhaps he’s waiting for me..”
I feel much better...
She asked: “...Please take me, Musetta?”
Let me look around.
It feels good to be here!
I'll recover... I will…
- I feel life returning again. - Beloved lips, you speak to me again.
- What is there in the house to give her? - You won't leave me?... - No, never again!
No coffee? No wine?
Nothing, only misery.
She won’t last half an hour.
I'm so cold. If only I had a muff!
Won't these hands of mine ever be warm?
Here. They will be warm in mine. Don’t speak, you’ll tire yourself.
It's just a little cough. I’m used to it.
Oh, good day to you Marcello, Schaunard, Colline…
All of you are here, smiling at Mimi.
- Don’t speak, don’t... - I’ll speak softly. Don’t fret.
Marcello, take my word - Musetta is such a good girl.
I know. I know.
Take these. Sell them.
Bring back some cordial and send for a doctor!
Rest now!
- You wont leave me? - No! No.
Listen!
Perhaps it’s the poor thing’s last request.
I’ll get the muff. Let me go with you.
How good you are, Musetta.
Listen, my venerable coat, I’m staying behind;
you’ll go on to greater heights.
I give you my thanks.
You never bowed your worn-out back to the rich or powerful.
Deep in your cavernous pockets, you have protected...
...philosophers and poets.
Now that those happy times have fled...
...I say farewell, faithful old friend.
Farewell…farewell.
Schaunard, let us combine our unique contributions into two kindly acts.
I with my coat. And you... you can leave and let them be alone.
Philosopher, you're reasoning...
And you're right. I'll take my leave.
Have they gone? I pretended to sleep
because I wanted to be alone with you
I’ve so many things to tell you…
…or one big thing, the size of the ocean…
…and just as deep and infinite…
I love you...you’re my life, you’re my everything.
Ah! My beautiful Mimi!
Am I beautiful still?
Beautiful as the dawn.
You’ve mistaken. You should have said, beautiful as the sunset.
“They call me Mimi..."
“They call me Mimi... but I don’t know why.”
The swallow comes back to her nest to twitter.
My bonnet! Oh my pink bonnet!
Ah! Do you remember when I came in here for the first time?
Of course I remember!
The light had gone out.
You were so upset. Then you lost your key...
And you knelt down to hunt for it!
I searched and searched...
My dear sir, now we can be frank…
…you found it quick enough.
I was helping destiny.
It was dark. You couldn't see me blushing.
“How cold your little hand is..."
"...Let me warm it for you...”
It was dark. You took my hand in yours...
Good God! Mimi!
What's wrong?
Nothing. I’m fine...
- Please...don't talk. - Yes, yes forgive me. I’ll be good now.
- Is she sleeping? - She’s resting.
I saw the doctor. He’s coming. I made him hurry.
Here’s the cordial.
- Who’s speaking? - Me, Musetta.
Oh. how lovely and soft it is.
No more cold and pale hands...
…the warmth will heal them.
- Did you give it to me? - Yes!
You shouldn’t have! Thank you...but the cost...
You’re crying? I’m well. Why are you crying like this?
Here...beloved...with you always! My hands...the warmth…let me sleep…
- What did the doctor say? - He’s coming.
Oh blessed Mother, be merciful to this poor child who doesn't deserve to die.
We need a shade here; the candles are flickering.
Like this...
Let her get well! Holy Mother,
I know I’m unworthy of forgiveness, but Mimi is an angel from heaven.
- I still hope. You think it’s serious? - No…I don’t think so…
Marcello, she’s dead.
Take this, Musetta.
- How is she? - You see, she’s resting.
What is this? This going back and forth? Why are you looking at me like this?
Have courage!