Great Moments in Opera, Puccini's "Quando M'en Vo" From "La Boheme"

The aria "Quando m'en vo" takes place in thepeople can not help but stare and admire her
second act of Puccini's opera "La Boheme" and itbeauty from head to toe. Marcelo however gets
is sung by Musetta, a well known singer trying toslightly irritated as Musetta mentions this along
get back the love of the one whom she broke upwith how she is aware that he is dying of desire
with. As for the act, it starts with Rodolfo, Mimi,for her which his hurt feelings will not let him
Marcelo and the rest of their group going out to ashow yet she knows deep down that he still
café on Christmas eve. It being there wereloves her. Musetta's elder male companion for the
Rodolfo and Mimi sing about their newly foundevening, as can be expected is not amused, as he
love with Mimi claiming that love is sweeter thanasks her to speak softer; repeating the word
honey which prompts Marcelo to bitterly reply "it"piano, piano" yet Musetta caries on while all are
depends on weather it is faithful". Marcelo makingaware that Marcelo will give in to her desires as
it abundantly clear to all that he is grief strickenhe always has in the past. This being precisely
over the loss of Musetta yet only a few minuteswhat Marcelo does as he at the end of the aria
go by before she accompanied by a much olderjoins in by adding that if Musetta should ever
man enters the place where Marcelo finds himselfknock on his door he will always be there for her.
in.Musetta's aria in the second act of "La Boheme" is
Marcelo for his part tries to ignore Musetta, whoone which uses very high notes as she shrieks to
does everything within her power to be noticedcall attention to herself and even get on the
by him that includes talking loudly and evennerves of some in what is her capricious nature
smashing a plate on the floor which she claimsyet it in my opinion captures the essence of a
smells of grease. Musetta doing so despite thewoman who longs to not only perk a man's
fact that she is in the society of another man yetinterest but also fill him with jealousy. This as to
in her attempts Marcelo manages not to payinspire desire for the tenderness she posses. It is
attention though all can see that he is strugglingalso during Musetta's aria that other characters
not to show the love he feels for her. As all aresuch as Mimi lend a voice of support to her cause
aware that his resistance is but wounded pridethat she and Marcelo belong together; for they
and not lack of affection.were meant to be in spite of anything which
Musetta however seeing that there is hope thatmight have occurred. Another feature of this aria
Marcelo will notice her starts her aria "Quandoby Musetta is that she goes on with her almost
m'en vo", knowing that all eyes in the place arepleas, as if performing for one man in spite of
focused on her. It being in this aria in which shehow she is singing to others; who comment on
claims that when she walks down the streetwhat she has to say.