Editing La bohème (section)

===Act 3===
[[File:Advertisement for the music score of La Bohème, 1895.jpg|thumb|Advertisement for the music score, showing the quartet that ends act 3]]
''At the toll gate at the Barrière d'Enfer (late February)''

Peddlers pass through the barriers and enter the city. Mimì appears, coughing violently. She tries to find Marcello, who is currently living in a little tavern where he paints signs for the innkeeper. She tells him of her hard life with Rodolfo, who abandoned her the night before, and of Rodolfo's terrible jealousy (''O buon Marcello, aiuto!''—"Oh, good Marcello, help me!"). Marcello tells her that Rodolfo is asleep inside, and expresses concern about Mimì's cough. Rodolfo wakes up and comes out looking for Marcello. Mimì hides and overhears Rodolfo first telling Marcello that he left Mimì because of her coquettishness, but finally confessing that his jealousy is a sham: he fears she is slowly being consumed by a deadly illness (most likely [[tuberculosis]], known by the catchall name "consumption" in the nineteenth century). Rodolfo, in his poverty, can do little to help Mimì and hopes that his pretended unkindness will inspire her to seek another, wealthier suitor (''Marcello, finalmente''—"Marcello, finally").

{{Listen|type=music|image=none|help=no|filename=Puccini - Melba - Donde lieta usci (La Bohème) - 1907.ogg|title=Addio di Mimì ("Donde lieta usci")|description=[[Nellie Melba]], 1907 (3:03)}}
Out of kindness towards Mimì, Marcello tries to silence him, but she has already heard all. Her weeping and coughing reveal her presence, and Rodolfo hurries to her. Musetta's laughter is heard and Marcello goes to find out what has happened. Mimì tells Rodolfo that she is leaving him, and asks that they separate amicably (Mimì: ''Donde lieta uscì''—"From here she happily left"); but their love for one another is too strong for the pair to part. As a compromise, they agree to remain together until the spring, when the world is coming to life again and no one feels truly alone. Meanwhile, Marcello has found Musetta, and the couple quarrel fiercely about Musetta's flirtatiousness (quartet: Mimì, Rodolfo, Musetta, Marcello: ''Addio dolce svegliare alla mattina!''—"Goodbye, sweet awakening in the morning!").