Giacomo Puccini's La bohème is an opera characterized by an aria of appealing melodies and musical powers that are successfully brought out by the use of literary elements such as poetry, dramatic context and music. The opera is in the form of a story that revolves around the love affair of Rodolfo, a youthful poet, and Mimi, a simple and charming young seamstress. The characters have musical and poetic ways of expressing their love to each other, such that they succeed to not only charm us, but also to inform us. Their words are blended musically to acquire a heightened emotional feeling. Puccini uses 'thematic reminiscence', wherein a melodic fragment recurs several times at appropriate moments to create effects of irony, nostalgia, or heightened emotion.
Act 4 begins with Rodolfo and Marcello trying to work while they primarily talk about their girlfriends, Mimì and Musetta. The young men are deeply troubled because their lovers have left them for wealthier men. Rodolfo and Marcello are soon joined by two other friends, Schaunard and Colline. Together the four indulge in a conversation about the attic as they assume mock dignities in order to forget their poverty and sorrow. Just when the fun is at its climax, Mussetta enters the room and announces that Mimi is dying. She further informs the men that Mimi's last request was to be brought back to the attic, where her love for Rodolfo had blossomed, and they had been so happy together. He rushes to get her, and she looks very feeble as he gently lowers her to the cot. The theme in friendship is highlighted when Musetta hands Marcello her earrings to go and sell so as to raise money to buy tonic for her dying friend. Colline also goes out to sell his coat so as to replenish the larder. Soon Rodolfo and his dying lover are left alone and as he holds her cold hands to warm them, their love seems to be reviving too late. As the rest return, they discover that the dying girl is beyond aid. Rodolfo turns away to hide his emotion as Mimi withers away.
Poetry
The poetry used in the speeches in this opera is unmatched. This style is used to make a listener take note of the parlando kind of style throughout. The poetry in the speech brings a naturalistic quality in the conversations. When Mimi extends a last request that she be brought to the attic where things between her and Rodolfo used to be so good, this statement is said in a poetic manner that tries to show her desire to be in the hands of her young love as she takes her last breathe. In addition, when Musetta hands Marcello her earrings to sell so as to afford tonic for the dying Mimi, this poetic statement depicts the depth she has for her dying friend. It shows that she is ready to trade her beauty to save her withering friend.
The same literary element is used in the poetic apostrophization in the "Song of the Coat," by Colline. This song is used to illustrate the value of a coat. Bearing in mind that this particular event was happening during the winter, the coat was like the shield of health. It was the survival resource and everyone needed it if they had a chance of making it through winter. Colline, however, also showed his level of friendship when he offered to sell his coat so as to replenish the radar. It was a poetic way of showing that for the sake of his dying friend, he was ready and willing to pay whatever price.
Music
The music in this opera is highly effective due to its big, soaring melodies. The choice by Puccini to apply the concept of symphonic developments ensures that we encounter and experience a sense of 'through-composed' opera. This manages to capture music continuity and flow, besides the kind we would have experienced in a symphony.
The musical tempo and instrumentation used to deliver certain emotions is done so well such that the audience can actually relate with the casts. The “Song of the coat” by Colline enables us to understand that his act of offering his coat for sale is not just an act of generosity, but sacrifice a great deal. When Mimi whispers the incidents from their early love, we are able to realize that at that point, Rodolfo must be having a hard time watching her die slowly. Puccini manages to use his deft ability to characterize a scene's setting through music and décor's art.
Dramatic context
The dramatic context in the chapter 4 of this La bohème opera manages to get the audience as emotional as the casts. The dramatization is done in such a detailed manner such that by the time Mimi dies, there is an atmosphere of sympathizing with her lover Rodolfo. Musetta uses both dramatic and musical elements to show the depth of her friendship with Mimi. Drama has been successfully delivered to depict the young love shared by Mimi and Rodolfo as well as the friendship with their friends.
La bohème easily passes with a certain amount of trepidation as one of the most popular opera in standard repertoire. There have been great works in the same field historically. However, the literary elements used in this particular opera have made it a legendary masterpiece. It is only great works that endure academic and philosophical analysis over generations.