Act II is set in the café where Christmas Eve festivities are in full swing. Mimi and Rodolfo join their friends, who are enjoying a sumptuous and badly needed meal. Marcello’s former mistress, the glamourous Musetta, arrives on the arm of a decrepit but wealthy lover. Still in love with Marcello, she begins to tease him and he is once more drawn to her. But amid all the gaiety, Rodolfo displays troubling signs of a ferociously jealous nature - a bad sign for his fledging love affair with Mimi.

Act III begins at dawn outside the tavern where Marcello and Musetta now live. Mimi - coughing and feverish - speaks to Marcello of Rodolfo’s senseless jealousy. She resolves to leave him. As she goes, Rodolfo emerges from the tavern to speak with Marcello. Now Mimi hides and listens to his side of the story, shivering.

Act IV finds Marcello and Rodolfo back in the garret, alone again, abandoned by their sweethearts, sharing their troubles. Musetta bursts in to announce that Mimi, too sick to come any further, has collapsed in the hall outside. In her most desperate hour, she has returned to Rodolfo, the poor artist, who can give her nothing except his love.

Produced by the Canadian Opera Company and Primedia Productions in association with the CBC and TVO.