Programme

The Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and the French May 2026 is delighted to support “La Vie Bohème 2026” presented by the Minor in European Studies of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Opera Hong Kong.

Henri Murger’s Scènes de la vie de bohème captures a timeless French spirit of artistic passion and creative freedom. We are proud to see this heritage celebrated here in Hong Kong, and we commend PolyU for its ongoing commitment to deepening cultural and academic ties between France and our city.

We wish all the artists and audience members a truly inspiring journey into the heart of the bohemian soul.

Johanna Bouyé, Consul for Education, Science and Culture

Henri Murger’s novel “Scènes de la vie de bohème” is a vivid portrait of young artists and intellectuals scraping by in the Latin Quarter of 1840s Paris. In the 175 years since the novel was first published, it became the template for generations of “starving artist” narratives and inspired a lineage of adaptations from Puccini to Broadway. His vision crystallized a cultural archetype—one that continues to define how we imagine the creative life. Throughout 2026 we will paying homage to “La vie bohème” in art, music and film.

Prologue: A writer’s lover dies in the hospital. He turns to write…

Scene 1: A garret in Paris between the Wars ~ Rodolphe and Marcel, impoverished Chinese poet and painter respectively, share a small flat and are constantly hungry. Marcelo’s on-again, off-again flame, the singer Musette, arrives with food and drink earned by entertaining an elderly expat. Marcel is furious but can’t resist her. They agree to all go to Wan Chai to spend her earnings. Rodolphe stays behind to finish an article and there’s a knock at the door: it’s Mimi, a (beautiful) neighbour. Her light has gone out and in the darkness, she drops her key. They look together; Rodolphe finds it and pockets it — and finds her hand instead. They introduce themselves to each other and fall in love; the scene ends as they go off to join Marcel and Musette, arm-in-arm, proclaiming their love for each other.

Entr’acte: Paris audiences hear some of thee first performance of Chinese songs, courtesy of Musette.

Scene 2: some time later ~ The poor living conditions have taken a toll on the relationship. Mimi tells Marcel that Rodolphe is jealous and wants to break it off, but they don’t know what to say to each other. Rodolphe comes to speak to Marcel, while Mimi hides. Rodolphe tells Marcel that he wants to leave Mimi because she’s a flirt, but then admits that Mimi is in fact so ill that she is dying. He can’t care for her in his squalid flat. Mimi hears and comes out. She says she’ll leave but the two lovers convince themselves to stay together until the Spring when the flowers are in bloom.

Scene 3: a few months later ~ Marcel (who has had a fight with Musette) and Rodolph are mourning their lost loves when Musette bursts in, saying that Mimi is with her and is very, very ill and wants to be with Rodolfo whom she hopes has been waiting for her. Mimi comes up; Marcel and Musette leave to fetch a doctor and buy medicine. Rodolphe and Mimi recall their meeting, their happy days and renew their love, but it’s too late. Once Marcel and Musette return, she quietly expires in the arms of her friends.