La Bohème Trivia Quiz

Answer: Henri Murger

Murger's "Scenes of Bohemian Life", depicting the poverty stricken, yet joyous life of young intellectuals and artists, was very successful.

Answer: Latin Quarter

The Latin Quarter was so named because so many of the people who lived there were students from around the world. The only method they had of communicating with one another was with Latin, the common language of scholars in times past.

Answer: Poet

Though Rodolfo introduces himself as a poet, he also writes plays and is a journalist. This is a wonderful role for tenor. In fact, Luciano Pavarotti always used this part when he debuted at a new opera house. He felt it brought him good luck.

Answer: Rodolfo's play

Rodolfo must have figured that his play might as well serve some useful purpose.

Answer: They get him drunk then throw him out

Benoit, the landlord, is plied with alcohol. The bohemians then feign shock at his supposed womanizing and literally throw him out the door. They are safe, at least until Benoit sobers up.

Answer: She needs a light for her candle

Mimi is a soprano role which is very hard to fail with. Puccini gives her gorgeous music, she is a very sweet and sympathetic character, and she gets a great death scene. Who could ask for anything more?

Answer: Che gelida manina

"Che gelida manina" roughly translates as "what a cold little hand." Poor Mimi is always cold, which does not bode well for her longevity. This is one of opera's great tenor arias. It has passion, romance, joy and a high 'C' thrown in for good measure.

Answer: Lucia

Mimi says that while she makes artifical flowers, it just makes her long for the the real flowers which will come in the spring. Also she says that while she lives in a garret, that means the first rays of spring are hers. She is a real sweetheart; you can see why Rodolfo falls in love with her.

Answer: Rent

"Rent" has been a hit around the world. Unfortunately, Mr. Larson died before it opened.

Answer: Momus

This act, which takes place on Christmas Eve, is filled with joy and humor. In contrast, the next two acts are filled with bitterness and sadness.

Answer: False

He buys her a hat. In the final act, Musetta gives the dying Mimi her own muff to warm her hands.

Answer: Alcindoro

Alcindoro is a rich old man who is continually made a fool of by Musetta.

Answer: Quando me'n vo

This is one of the big hits from the opera. In the aria, Musetta describes how people admire her when she walks along the streets. It develops into an ensemble for all the assembled characters and ends with Musetta and Marcello reconciling and Alcindoro stuck with everyone's food and wine bill.

Answer: Leoncavallo

Leoncavallo's "La Boheme" was much more succesful at its premiere than Puccini's. Today the only opera that Leoncavallo is known for is "Pagliacci."

Answer: A gate to the city of Paris

It is early dawn and bitterly cold. A fitting scene for the action, which dwells on the serious problems in Mimi and Rodolfo's relationship, as well as Marcello and Musetta's constant bickering.

Answer: False

Actually, Rodolfo admits the reason behind the quarrels is his jealousy. He is also frightened about Mimi's failing health.

Answer: Arturo Toscanini

Toscanini, without doubt, was one of the greatest conductors who ever lived. He also led the premieres of Puccini's "La Fanciulla del West" and "Turandot."

Answer: Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis, or consumption as it was known then, also claimed the life of Violetta in Verdi's "La Traviata."

Answer: His coat

Colline gives his coat to Musetta so she can sell it to buy medicine for Mimi.

Answer: Baz Luhrman

Luhrman's production, which updates the opera to the 1950's, opened to excellent reviews.