“Lovers”

Argentina
Through Harold’s Lens:

Please start the music first as you are enjoying the image and words. You will receive the full sensual experience of this story.

Opera La Boheme. Act 4. Finale.

Rodolfo-
Oh Mimi will you never return
Oh, beautiful days, tiny hands
the fragrance of your tresses…
…your snow white neck!

Mimi-(With great passion)
Rodolfo!

Rodolfo-(Carefully, helping Mimi onto a bed)
Hush now, rest.

Mimi-(Holding Rodolfo in her arms)
Oh, my Rodolfo!
May I stay here with you?

Rodolfo-
Ah! my dearest Mimi,
always, always!
(Gently Rodolfo persuades Mimi to lie down on the bed and covers her with a blanket Then with great care slips a pillow under Mimi’s head)

Rodolfo-
Heavenly lips,
still you speak to me!

Mimi-
It’s just a little cough!
I’m used to it.

Rodolfo-
Rest now.

Mimi-
You won’t leave me?

Rodolfo-
No! No!

Mimi-
(Mimi open her eyes, stretches her hand out towards Rodolfo, then kisses him lovingly. Mimi puts her arms around Rodolfo’s neck)
Your are my entire life, you are my love.

Rodolfo-
Ah, Mimi,
my beautiful Mimi!

Mimi-
(She lets herself fall into his arms)
Do you still find me beautiful?

Rodolfo-
As lovely as the dawn.

Mimi-
(Mimi has a sudden spasm of coughing, she falls back with exhaustion)

Rodolfo-
(Alarmed, Rodolfo gently supports Mimi)
Oh God! Mimi!
(Rodolfo carefully lays Mimi down on the pillow)

Mimi-
I’m here… my love… always with you!
My hands… in the warm… and… to sleep
Silence…………….

Rodolfo-
(Rodolfo dashes to Mimi’s bedside, scoops her up in his arms crying out in extreme desperation)
(weeping)
Mimì!… Mimì!..

THE END

Puccini’s Italian opera La Boheme is one of the most frequently performed operas in the world.

As I quietly strolled La Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires, I was reminded of the sad, passionate finale of the two lovers Rodolfo and Mimi. And, my tear-filled evening at the New York City Opera watching my Tenor Nephew Barton Green play the lead role of Rodolfo.

“What’s Up?”

ARGENTINA Through Harold’s Lens:

Sunday.

Streets are closed to auto traffic in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of San Telmo.

It’s a bizarre time!

Artisans, musicians, street performers and antique vendors from near and far are here to share their treasures and their talents with the public.

People of all nationalities are wandering, walking, strolling, gawking. It’s a unique and alluring experience.

Over here, there’s something weird happening.

Over there, what is that woman doing?

Where’s the reggae music coming from?

Sundays in San Telmo just go with the flow.

“San Telmo Sunday”

ARGENTINA Through Harold’s Lens:

The cobblestoned street neighborhood of San Telmo in Buenos Aires comes alive every Sunday.

Artisans, musicians, street performers and antique vendors come from near and far to share their treasures and their talents with the public at the weekly antique fair Feria de San Telmo.

“Really My Dear!”

ARGENTINA Through Harold’s Lens:

Gossip
About the personal and private affairs of others
Has been going on
For centuries.

“Stoned?”

ARGENTINA Through Harold’s Lens:

Never know!

Who cares!

In the middle of the San Telmo neighborhood, sitting in the middle of the street, dressed to the hilt, smothered in white powder, he remained stone motionless. A full tin cup of pesos by his side.

Many tried to get him to move, wiggle or blink.

I wondered how he emptied the tin cup.

“The Story?”

ARGENTINA Through Harold’s Lens:

So What Is Your Story Here?

A husband surprised by the appearance of his wife?

The husband covering his inebriated woman’s face?

Maybe a sister who thinks her brother is goofy?

The clue
His right hand.

The fun continues…only in Buenos Aires!