Act I. In a garret: Paris, Christmas Eve.

The painter Marcello and poet Rodolfo are distracted by the cold. Marcello is additionally frustrated because of a woman: his fingers are frozen, he says, as if he were holding them in the glacier of Musetta’s heart. Rodolfo throws his manuscript into the stove, providing a short burst of heat. Colline, a philosopher, joines them. The flames die, to cries of “down with the author,” when the musician Shaunard appears with food, wine, and money. As the friends celebrate, Benoit, their landlord, arrives, looking for three months’ rent. Marcello invites him in, serves him wine, and feigns outrage when Benoit boasts of amorous adventures. The bohemians toss him out, then leave for dinner.

Rodolfo stays behind to work, telling the others he’ll join them shortly. He hears a knock. It is a neighbor, Mimì. She has a coughing fit, then a fainting spell, dropping her candle and key in the process. Rodolfo relights her candle, but it blows out again, as does his. Hunting for her key, they touch. Rodolfo notices her hand is cold and tells her about himself, letting her know that he finds her attractive. She responds, revealing her gentle nature and vivid imagination. Rodolfo’s friends call from below. Rodolfo shouts back that he is no longer alone. He and Mimì declare themselves in love.

Act II. In the Latin Quarter.

Crowds of people, shopping and socializing, mill around outside Café Momus. Colline is pleased to find a good secondhand coat; Rodolfo buys Mimì a pink bonnet. The friends settle in at the café when, to Marcello’s dismay, Musetta enters with her package-laden escort, a rich old man named Alcindoro. She flamboyantly attempts to attract Marcello, who avoids her. She breaks down his resolve, much to the amusement of his friends, by publicly, seductively, calling attention to the pleasure she takes in being admired. Marcello cannot long resist. Feigning a hurt foot, Musetta sends Alcindoro off to buy shoes, then falls into Marcello’s arms. She directs the waiter to give the bohemians’ bill to Alcindoro. The group run off into the crowd with Musetta on their shoulders.

Act III. At the Barrière d’Enfer: Winter.

Before daybreak, sweepers at the tollgate call for the guards to let them enter. Countryfolk arrive enroute to their markets. Meanwhile, nighttime revelries continue at a nearby tavern. Mimì asks a sergeant for directions to the tavern. She seeks Marcello, who, with Musetta, works there. She tells Marcello that Rodolfo is overly jealous and suspicious of her. When Rodolfo emerges from the tavern, she hides. Rodolfo confides to the sceptical Marcello that he must leave Mimì because her flirtatiousness drives him crazy, then admits that her bad health is to blame. He feels remorse because he can’t afford to take care of her. Mimì, overhearing, realizes that she might die. As she sobs and coughs, Rodolfo finds her. Suddenly, Marcello hears Musetta’s laugh and, jealous, runs into the tavern. Mimì bids Rodolfo a fond farewell, but the two agree that parting in winter is difficult: They’ll wait until April. Marcello and Musetta break up.

Act IV. In the garret.

Rodolfo and Marcello each report on having seen the other’s former girlfriend. They voice pleasure that the women are prospering, but their true feelings are reflected in their inability to concentrate on work. Shaunard and Colline arrive with bread and herring. The four are interrupted by Musetta: Mimì is on her way, too weak to climb the stairs. They bring her in and put her to bed. Musetta leaves with Marcello to fetch a doctor. Colline decides to sell his much-loved coat, taking Shaunard off so that Mimì and Rodolfo can be alone. The two fondly reminisce about the night they met. When the others return, Musetta gives Mimì a muff to warm her hands, allowing her to think it is from Rodolfo. Mimì happily drifts off to sleep. As the friends wait for the doctor, they realize that Mimì has died. Rodolfo learns of it from the others’ faces. He cries out her name.