In an opera with this title, one character introduces a friend in an aria named for “[that friend] svaria sulla bocca viva,” after which that friend praises her as “la biondinetta.” A composer wrote, “Let him compose, I will compose. The audience will decide,” after being accused of stealing the libretto of an opera with this title. A deleted act in an opera with this title is referenced by a derogatory mention of a “moscardino di Viscontino,” and was cut to likely beat a rival to that opera’s completion. A tenor in an opera with this title often sings a unison, perdendosi high C to end a (*) duet whose female soloist is “bathed in moonlight.” Giuseppe Giacosa resigned three times as a librettist for an opera with this title based on an Henri Murger (“mur-ZHAY”) novel. That opera spurred Ruggero Leoncavallo to rewrite his own opera with this title to focus on Marcello and Musetta. For 10 points, name this opera in which “O soave fanciulla” (“o SWAH-vay fahn-CHOO-lah”) is sung by Rodolfo and Mimi. ■END■
ANSWER: La bohème [prompt on Mimì Pinson by asking “what was its original title?”]
<Ivvone Zhou, Classical Music and Opera>
= Average correct buzz position