La Boheme Giaccomo Puccini's opera La Boheme is a mature work in the verismo mode in which the early aria "Che gelida manina" creates a dramatic situation that colors all that follows even as fragments from the aria appear again and again, tying together the lives of the common people portrayed in the opera. As E. Thomas Glasow writes, "In verismo scores, such motivic recall is common, putting greater emphasis on the dramatic effect of certain key situations" (Glasow 70). These fragments imitate the idea of the leitmotiv from Wagner, a theme that carries thematic weight and that reappears in different places in the opera to extend the deeper meaning of the action.

The poem itself has the simplicity of conversation, conveying the situation as Rodolfo holds Mimi's hand and reacts to her plight in a real and direct manner. One critic cites the lyrical elements in the poem and writes,

Rodolfo's first aria "Che gelida manina" in Act I, introduces a primarily conjunct melody of touching simplicity, conveying the innocence of pure love. This melody returns at the end of Act I, as Mimi and Rodolfo exit, and again, in Act IV as Mimi, on her deathbed, reminisces with Rodolfo on their first encounter ("Program Note" para. 1).

Puccini uses this method throughout with different themes from the early arias in Act I.

The situation in which this aria is sung colors its meaning and also marks its form as something special poetically. Rodolfo, after all, is a poet, and he has chosen to stay behind while his friends celebrate Christmas eve at a cafe. Mimi arrives at his door, her candle having gone out, and asks him to relight it for her. He has been writing poetry, and...

In this aria, Rodolfo expresses his feelings for the young women and his fears at the same time, for her hand is icy cold to the touch, reflecting the illness that is consuming her and evoking both love and pity at the same time.
Mosco Carner notes that this aria is actually part of a grouping of arias in Act I that are linked around the awakening of live in these two characters. He also writes, "Che gelida manina' is one of the purest and most fragrant melodies that ever came into Puccini's head. We note the chant-like opening in pp and the disembodied beauty of the orchestral texture, with muted strings drawing a filigree against the vocal lines which is gently continued by the solo harp" (Carner 320).

In this aria, Rodolfo introduces himself to this young woman by telling her of his dreams and ideals as a poet. He is found writing poetry, and now he expresses his essence as a poet through a poetic speech that opens him to her. The situation is dramatic and is carried by the action. Rodolfo first reacts to the coldness of her hand in an emotional way. When Mimi starts to withdraw her hand, he holds on and asks her to wait a moment while he tells her who he is and what he does. He does then release her, and she sits and listens as he tells her who he is, that he is a poet, that he writes in his room, that he is poor, but that he creates poetry from his dreams. This part of the aria follows the strictures of lyric poetry. There is one clear subject, this poet and how he lives, and an emotional underpinning to the narrative as Rodolfo expresses his sense of self. He uses…