La Boheme exceeded my expectations I went in expecting to see a sad tale of impoverished artists in 1830’s France but it was a HILARIOUS sad tale about impoverished artists in 1830’s France. Of course only when appropriate but I found it really cool that an opera made in 1896 is still funny today, goes to show that comedy knows no time. My favorite joke was “I don’t want a skinny woman they complain too much” I immediately associated that with myself until professor Eversley explained the deeper meaning to me. Long story short skinny women were starving and complained about hunger… talk about dark humor.
Watching rent helped me prepare for the opera and resulted in making connections between rent and La Boheme. By far the most impressing factor of the opera was the sets. They were breathtakingly beautiful and extremely realistic. The set for the second act was my absolute favorite although we were physically so far I felt as if I was not only in the opera but in 1830’s France. 
Act 1:
Act one was very rapid and I feel like happened in the blink of an eye, the second Mimi and Rodolfo met they confessed their undying love for one another, talk about love at first sight.
Act 2:
My favorite act not only because of the beautiful visuals but I was living for the drama. When Musetta was trying to make Marcello jealous I was waiting for her date to notice but no he was too oblivious to see. I thought it was funny that she was using him as a sugar daddy and paid for everybody’s food including Marcello but it’s also messed up. If I remember correctly she married the man and he seemed madly in love with her and here she is playing with his feelings just to live comfortably. Extremely sad when you think about it, she had to give up the love of her life to ensure that she would always have a meal the next day. Also, the children were adorable in this scene!!!! Cute children singing = emotional happy Yina. Also after this scene, there was a break and we went with an ITF who walked us around the met and gave us historical background on paintings hung specifically the huge Marc Chagall paintings which were breathtaking.
Act 3:
Not going to lie act 3 pulled my heartstring and I’m always here for drama when Mimi showed up and was eavesdropping on the conversation between Rodolfo and Marcello I was really hoping Rodolfo wouldn’t say something out of anger but he did. However, I completely understand where Rodolfo is coming from it’s hard to let yourself continue falling in love with somebody when you know they are near death so you begin to make excuses explaining why you wouldn’t have lasted anyway. It’s a coping mechanism that helped him feel like he had more control over the situation than he really did.
Act 4:
Final act!!!! We all knew Mimi was going to die but it still felt unexpected I truly felt for both Mimi and Rodolfo, Mimi found love just to have it wither away and Rodolfo has to live knowing he had found love but it ended quickly because of a disease. A disease that during this time period predominately affected lower-income people, yes we all have the ability to love, be happy, and all other wonderful emotions but it’s always a different experience and outcome based on how much of a paper item you have.
