I am very excited to be taking my students to see a performance of "Boheme" at the Met in a few weeks. Needless to say we have been studying and digesting the piece so we can fully understand it when we arrive at Lincoln Center. Typically I do not like to write about works I am studying and teaching. My original intent was to use this as a way to expose myself to new works, or think about familiar wotks in a more critical manner, rather than write about works I am teaching. Having said that, I have heard Act I of Boheme dozens of times, and it still thrills me, so I must make an exception just this once!
Factoids:
- This aria occurs midway through Act I of "Boheme."
- Rodolfo, the writer, is alone in his Parisian apartment.
- His neighbor,the frail Mimi, knocks on the door, and asks him to light her extinguished candle.
- The two have almost an immediate attraction.
- Rodolfo sings this aria as he grabs her cold hands.
- A rough translation of Che gelida manina is "your icy little hand"
- Rodolfo continues to sing of his work as a poet, boasting that although he is poor he has the soul of a millionaire.
- As the piece ends, Rodolfo asks Mimi to tell him about herself.
- Mimi responds with her equally famous aria, Si, mi chiamano, Mimi or "Yes, I'm called Mimi."
- When I listen to the opening passage, I can't help but think of a first meeting with a new love interest.
- The instrumentation is sparse, aside from lush string interjections and the harp.
- I can't help but think of this section as timid and playful, much like a first date.
Enjoy!
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