Henri Murger’s piece, Scenes from a Latin Quarter, portrays the Bohemian lifestyle by closely delving into the lives of four friends, Schaunard, Rodolphe, Marcel, and Colline. The work carefully details the conditions under which Bohemians lived. The Bohemian lifestyle is described as a way of life where people make commitments to unconventional lifestyles and live freely, despite hardships. As a result of their sacrifices, the main characters live in poor conditions and can not afford themselves luxury, however they fervently pursue their artistic passions such as music, art, education, and more. Schanaurd struggles to afford himself a normal living, constantly borrowing money from others to pay off the rent for his living space, thus he ultimately ends up sharing the apartment from which he is evicted with Marcel, who can not afford furniture. Colline makes money by tutoring people and Rodolphe who is later revealed to be a former member of the band, Water Drinkers. Another member of this band was Jacques, who is opposed to Rodolphe’s character. Whereas Rodolphe prioritizes Bohemian life over his personal relationships, Jacques leaves his band in order to attain a stable job and earn enough money to sustain his partner, Francine, proving that there are disparities in the lifestyles and priorities of Bohemian members due to the challenges that certain individuals are willing to face. Rodolphe has a brief affair with another lady, however he is unable to commit to a serious relationship unless he leaves the Bohemian lifestyle behind, a fate only Jacques is willing to undertake. Similar themes are recounted in the movie Rent, a musical detailing the lives of a group of New Yorkers during the late twentieth century. These residents struggle with various aspects of their lives such as the outbreak of AIDS, their careers, and personal relationships, similar fates that are experienced by the characters of Scenes from a Latin Quarter. Roger is a musician afflicted with HIV who scrambles for money in order to pay rent to their landlord, Benny. This showcases the difficulties that unconventional and artistic lifestyles may lead to, intensified by the consequences of the epidemic, exemplified by the fatal conditions that their friend, Tom, is afflicted with due to AIDS. Overall, these artistic themes connect with the displayed culture of Opera. The progression of Opera is recounted, where the precursors to opera were medieval dramas which included songs. Italian groups of poets and artistic minds yearned for the aesthetics of Greek style. The first opera performed was in 1958 in Italy, Florence. Baroque was a style characterized by an irregular period of musical changes where lavish things and grandeur were appreciated; mythology and religious stories exaggerated bold colors. Later, Puccini’s work in the late twentieth century explored lives of the common folks. The first all-African-American cast was featured in an opera that also introduced the influence of jazz. On a conclusive note, John Adams’ work on the Oppenheimer opera is shown, revealing the emotional intensity of his coming-to-terms with what he has done regarding the atomic bomb’s development. Overall, the Scenes from a Latin Quarter, Rent, and history concerning Opera, reveal foundational aspects of their significance and interconnectedness.
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