SYNOPSES

Manon Lescaut
Act 4

A vast plain near the outskirts of the New Orleans territory

Having fled the jealous intrigues of New Orleans, the lovers make their way across a desert to seek refuge in a British settlement. (Louisiana, however, has no desert.)[5] Wandering in the desert, the ailing Manon is exhausted. She falls and cannot go any farther (des Grieux, Manon: Tutta su me ti posa); (des Grieux: Vedi, son io che piango); (Manon, des Grieux: Sei tu che piangi).

Des Grieux is alarmed by Manon's appearance and goes to look for water. While he is gone, Manon recalls her past and muses about her fatal beauty and her fate (Manon: Sola, perduta, abbandonata).

Des Grieux returns, having been unable to find water. Manon bids him a heart-rending farewell, however not before complaining about how her life has not been fair and that she is no longer beautiful. Before dying in his arms Manon asks des Grieux to tell her how beautiful she used to be, and how he must forgive her wrongdoings and faults before she dies, not listening to him repeat how much he loves her and will miss her. Overcome by grief at the death of his vain and selfish lover, des Grieux collapses across her body (Manon, des Grieux: Fra le tue braccia, amore).

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Madama Butterfly

Act 3

As dawn breaks, Pinkerton and Kate, his new wife, enter.  When Suzuki realizes the true identity of the woman, she collapses in despair, and out of consideration for her mistress, she begs that she be able to break the news to Butterfly.  Pinkerton is overcome with remorse and leaves the scene of his former happiness.  Cio-Cio San comes forth, expecting to greet her husband, but finds an American woman in the room.  She realizes the heartbreaking truth.  Butterfly agrees to give up her child, but with one condition—the father himself must come to get him.  Leaving, Kate agrees, and Butterfly brusquely sends Suzuki away.  She takes out the dagger with which her father killed himself, saying that she would rather die with honor than live with disgrace.  She then stabs herself, dying as she hears Pinkerton's voice calling her name.  

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La Bohème

Act 4

As Rodolfo and Marcello complain of the loneliness they feel, Schaunard and Colline arrive with a small meal.  The four are jokingly dancing together when Musetta bursts in and announces that Mimì is outside, too sick and weak to climb the stairs on her own.  Rodolfo runs out to assist her, and Musetta tells the others that Mimì has asked to be brought to die at her lover's side.  They attempt to make Mimì comfortable, and Marcello, Musetta and Colline leave to pawn prized possessions to raise funds for medicine.  Left alone together, Mimì and Rodolfo remember their happy first days together, but their reverie is interrupted by her coughing.  Musetta returns with a muff to warm Mimì's hands.  As Musetta says a prayer, Mimì quietly passes away.  Schaunard discovers that she is dead and Rodolfo sorrowfully cries out her name.