Puccini's La Bohème: a beginner's guide

1. Paris, 1830

It's bleak in 1830s Paris (except in these pictures from the ENO's 2014 production, set 100 years later, where it's bleak in 1930s Paris). We meet painter Marcello and poet Rodolfo, who are trying to keep warm by burning pages from Rodolfo's latest drama. Young philosopher Colline arrives, shivering and penniless, after failing to pawn some books. But it's not all bad - Schaunard, a musician, has just got a job, and turns up armed with wine, food and cigars. Photo: ENO/Thomas Bowles

2. Benoît arrives

As the four friends celebrate their unexpected fortune, Schaunard offers to treat them to dinner at the nearby Café Momus. But they're soon interrupted by the landlord, Benoît, who's turned up to collect their rent. Photo: ENO/Thomas Bowles

3. Tricking the landlord

Luckily, the landlord soon forgets all about the money when they ply him with wine, tease him about his love life, and throw him out in mock indignation. Photo: ENO/Thomas Bowles

4. A girl at the door

Marcello, Colline and Schaunard go out, leaving Rodolfo alone to finish an article he's writing. No sooner have they left, a girl from the building knocks on the door to ask for some matches. Her candle has gone out on the stairs and she can't re-light it. Photo: ENO/Thomas Bowles

5. Rodolfo helps his guest

The girl from the building feels faint, so Rodolfo kindly offers her a seat and some wine. Photo: ENO/Thomas Bowles

6. Rodolfo takes her hand - 'Che gelida manina'

As she gets up to leave, she drops her key and her candle goes out once more. Eager to spend more time with her, Rodolfo pockets the key. Lit only by moonlight, the pair fall in love. Photo: ENO/Thomas Bowles

7. Mimì introduces herself - 'Sì, mi chiamano Mimì'

The girl introduces herself as Mimì, and tells Rodolfo about her life as an embroiderer. Drawn to each other, Mimì and Rodolfo leave for the café, after being prompted by Rodolfo's friends who are growing impatient. Photo: ENO/Thomas Bowles

8. 'Aranci, datteri! Caldi i marroni!'

A large crowd of children arrives, with a host of street sellers peddling their wares. Oranges, dates, and hot chestnuts are available, but Rodolfo decides to buy his new beloved a bonnet. Photo: ENO/Thomas Bowles

9. Rodolfo buys a gift

Rodolfo buys Mimì a pink bonnet before introducing her to his friends in the café. Photo: ENO/Thomas Bowles

10. Interruptions in the café

The four friends and Mimì dine in the café, but it's not long before they're interrupted by an unexpected guest... Photo: ENO/Thomas Bowles

11. Quando me'n vo'

...it's Marcello's former lover, Musetta, on the arm of a wealthy government minister Alcindoro. She tries to regain Marcello's attention by breaking into a risqué rendition of a sultry waltz. Photo: ENO/Thomas Bowles

12. Musetta and Marcello

The waltz works a treat, thrilling the Parisians and wooing Marcello. The sultry Musetta tries to get rid of Alcindoro by pretending her shoe doesn't fit properly, so sends him away to fix it. No sooner has he left, she falls into Marcello's arms and the party exit the café, leaving poor Alcindoro to pick up the bill. Photo: ENO / Thomas Bowles

13. 'O buon Marcello, aiuto!'

As we begin Act III, it's dawn in the snowy outskirts of Paris. Mimì appears, coughing violiently as she searches for Marcello and Musetta. She explains her dismay after Rodolfo abandoned her the evening before, and sings of his terrible jealousy. Despite how much she loves him, she thinks it might be best if they part. Photo: ENO/Thomas Bowles

14. Rodolfo breaks down

Rodolfo, who's been asleep in the tavern, wakes up in search of Marcello. Mimì quickly hides in the shadows, as Rodolfo explains his reasons for leaving her. Initially he blames her fickleness, but eventually breaks down and explains he hasn't been entirely honest... Photo: ENO / Thomas Bowles

15. 'Marcello, finalmente'

Rodolfo reveals he's trying to drive Mimì away by pretending to be jealous, because he fears she's suffering from a deadly illness. As a poor man, he can't help her, and he hopes she'll find a richer suitor who'll be able to pay for treatment. Unfortunately, before Marcello can silence his friend, Mimì has heard everything, and she bids him farewell. Photo: ENO/Thomas Bowles

16. Saying goodbyes: 'Addio dolce svegliare alla mattina!'

While Mimì and Rodolfo recall their happiness, deciding to stay together until spring, Musetta argues with Marcello. The painter and his lover quarrel fiercely about Musetta's flirtatiousness. Photo: ENO/Thomas Bowles

17. Mimì, will you not return?

We begin Act IV with Rodolfo and Marcello expressing their fond memories of their lovers, who have now left them. Colline and Schaunard turn up with a meagre meal, which the friends pretend is a plentiful banquet. But the lively dance is interrupted once more by Musetta, who bursts in to explain that Mimì has left her wealthy patron and has been found on the street. Photo: ENO/Thomas Bowles

18. Rodolfo remembers

The lovers recount their first meeting, remembering the lost key and the candle. Rodolfo presents her with the bonnet he bought her, which he kept as a souvenir of their love. Photo: ENO/Thomas Bowles

19. A tragic finale

The friends leave to pawn their belongings to buy medicine for Mimì, selling Musetta's earrings and Colline's overcoat. On their return, Musetta gives Mimì a muff to warm her hands and prays for her life, but it's too late: Mimì is overwhelmed by a coughing fit, and dies. Rodolfo weeps by her bedside. Photo: ENO/Thomas Bowles