Great Moments in Opera, "Si Mi Chiamano Mimi" From Puccini's "La Boheme"

It is act one of Puccini's "La Boheme" and we seenight moon which makes him take the woman
a writer by the name of Rodolfo, sitting all alonewho he has come to look upon for all the beauty
in a humble one room apartment in Paris trying toshe posses; by the hand as he tells her all about
write a story yet can not get started as he doeshimself. Rodolfo informing her that he is a poet
not feel the motivation to do so. It is just as hewho lives in poverty but writes rhymes of love
puts down his pen in frustration that he hears awhich enrich his life like a great lord for his soul is
knock on the door which he naturally answers tothat of a millionaire which creates castles in the air.
find out it is the woman who lives across the hallIt is after Rodolfo formally introduces himself to
who has come to ask him if he can light herhis late night guest that she does likewise in an
candle which has gone out.aria that begins "Si mi chiamano Mimi ma mio
She comes in and Rodolfo is immediatelynome e Lucia". This meaning "they call me Mimi
attracted to her, he naturally doing what shebut my name is Lucia", it being after this opening
requested of him however it is in those fewsentence that Mimi starts to speak about herself;
seconds that his beautiful guest momentarilyrefereeing to herself as somebody who lives
faints; much to his disquiet. Rodolfo asks her ifalone and is calm; as she likes to look at roof tops
she is feeling ill, telling her she is pale and offersfrom her window. Mimi also tells of how she
her some wine which she accepts. It is after a sipmakes plastic flowers which have no smell while
of wine that this lovely lady from across the hallshe adores all that be romantic such as poetry
feels it would be best if she went back to heryet in all it is not in her words or what she
place yet it is as she is about to leave that shedescribes but the way she and Rodolfo seem to
realizes she has lost her key in Rodolfo's room.be understanding each other that creates a
She then worried informs Rodolfo about her keymoment of incredible harmony. As the one which
yet just as she does the light from her candleis shared by those whose desires are mutual to
blows out which prompts her host to do likewisefind themselves in relationship of adoration. Mimi in
as to make the mood more romantic.this aria makes us feel the simplicity of a woman
Rodolfo and his endearing guest begin to look forof few if any pretenses while allowing us to sense
the key while she mentions she is inopportune tothe love inside of her; for not only life but the one
hear him say nothing could be further from thewhom she has also stirred up emotions in. Mimi
truth yet as they continue to search in the darkand Rodolfo in their introductions become
the key is found. Rodolfo however hides it fromenamored, as is clearly the case in both their arias
its owner as he pretends to look further for whatwhich conclude with their voices joining in a
he already has in his pocket. It being after a fewdeclaration of what they feel as they take their
minutes that Rodolfo declares that there is noexit.
point to looking in the dark but fortunately it is a