Leoncavallo wrote his opera La bohème contemporaneously with Giacomo Puccini's own treatment of the same story.

[3] Café Momus The innkeeper Gaudenzio tries in vain to eject the Bohemians, who never pay and are continually up to no good.

The neighbours, awakened from sleep, protest in vain and the scene ends in a general fight between the two factions.

During the festivities in the courtyard, Mimì has allowed herself to be carried off by Count Paul, but she returns, motivated by love for Rodolfo.

Musette, who accidentally meets her there, sacrifices her jewels to procure fuel to warm the room for Mimì.