Puccini - La Boheme / Karajan, Freni, Raimondi

Starring:Mirella Freni, Adriana Martino, Gianni Raimondi, Rolando Panerai, Gianni Maffeo, Ivo Vinco, Carlo Badioli, Virgilio Carbonari, Franco Ricciardi, Giuseppe Morresi, Carlo Forti, Angelo Mercuriali, Herbert von Karajan
Director: Wilhelm Semmelroth
Studio: Deutsche Grammophon
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Franco Zeffirelli's 1963 Milan production of La Bohème, preserved in this 1965 film, provides a richly satisfying take on Puccini's much-loved romantic tragedy. The staging is opulent, not least in the way Zeffirelli opens up the Café Momus and turns it into a warm, vibrant haven for the bohemians and their followers. But it's the relationships that really matter here. Puccini's score--conducted with restrained passion by Herbert von Karajan--develops in a wonderfully linear way, with some of his most intensely moving arias and duets underpinning the evolution of the bohemian artists, particularly Rodolfo and Marcello, from immature egotists to rounded human beings, touched by tragedy.

Amazon.com

Franco Zeffirelli's 1963 Milan production of La Bohème, preserved in this 1965 film, provides a richly satisfying take on Puccini's much-loved romantic tragedy. The staging is opulent, not least in the way Zeffirelli opens up the Café Momus and turns it into a warm, vibrant haven for the bohemians and their followers. But it's the relationships that really matter here. Puccini's score--conducted with restrained passion by Herbert von Karajan--develops in a wonderfully linear way, with some of his most intensely moving arias and duets underpinning the evolution of the bohemian artists, particularly Rodolfo and Marcello, from immature egotists to rounded human beings, touched by tragedy.

Customer Reviews:

pre-order priority.......2006-06-18

I own this,however I just pre-ordered it. It's one of the best La Boheme available. I own 4 of them,but this still is one of my favorites. Don't wait. Pre-order it now. Mirella Freni doesn't disappoint.

Freni Is Mimi.......2006-05-09

I like this best of the four I own. The audio isn't good at all. I get to hear the true Mimi in Freni. Mirella Freni is truly a great singer and it's sad that the audio is the way it is. But that still can't make me subtract any stars because I love her performance so much. Please remaster this DVD and put it out properly. I know I would buy it again. Also buy,Fedora,Don Carlo,Carmen and Ernani with Mirella Freni.

Unwatchable........2005-07-09

Despite a sumptuous production (reminiscent of 1930s Hollywood in many ways), I found this "Boheme" pretty much DOA from the first note. There is such a profound disconnect between the singers actions and their voices that I found it unwatchable. Did the singers lip-synch to a previously recorded track? Or did they dub the vocals after having shot the film? Either way, it makes for a very odd viewing experience. I can't even comment on the quality of the performances, as the soundtrack sounds as if it were recorded in a barrel, hollow and distant. You'll be far better off watching any of the marvelous Metropolitan Opera productions or the Covent Garden Cotrubas/Shicoff version. Even Baz Lehrman's updated, somewhat funky Australian Opera production is more true to the spirit of the piece than is this. And at least they're all LIVE.

Fine production.......2003-06-05

My very first La Boheme experience is "Puccini - La Bohème / Freni, Pavarotti, Harwood, Ghiaurov, Karajan", which, in my very own opinion, is the best one out on the market. Ever since, I have tried several reditions of CD productions including some historic recordings, none would come as close, not even de Los Angeles or Tebaldi. With this kind of expectation, I must admit that I was a little disappointed in this DVD. Nevertheless, it is one FINE DVD opera movie. True, it is a rather "old" production; the quality of the sound and picture is not that desirable.

Fifteen years or so later, the new interpretation by Karajan and Freni, with the impeccable performance of Pavaroti, added serious depth to this sweetbitter love story.

So if you are looking for a more-or-less historic semi-"offstage" documentary type of film, you would definitely like this DVD. Otherwise, go directly for the CDs - and they will have to be Freni, Pavaroti, and Karajan.

Final note: MET production is fun to watch but once is enough; Australian opera production is refreshing - Cheryl Barker has been a rising star; San Francisco Opera is another fine production worth collecting. But again, we have the CDs. Amen.

Total disagreement with other reviewer.......2002-09-03

I absolutely disagree with Robert G. VanStryland from Denton, TX USA and his review of this DVD.

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

pre-order priority.......2006-06-18

Freni Is Mimi.......2006-05-09

Unwatchable........2005-07-09

Fine production.......2003-06-05

Fifteen years or so later, the new interpretation by Karajan and Freni, with the impeccable performance of Pavaroti, added serious depth to this sweetbitter love story.

Total disagreement with other reviewer.......2002-09-03

I absolutely disagree with Robert G. VanStryland from Denton, TX USA and his review of this DVD.

DVD:

DVD