Search - Giacomo Puccini, Thomas Schippers, Luciano Pavarotti :: Puccini: La Bohème / Pavarotti, Freni; Schippers

One of the finest recordings Opera d'Oro has ever produced

Birdman | Minnetonka, MN USA | 05/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Opera d'Oro is a quirky label. One day, they issue an historic, live recording of Meyerbeer's LA PROPHETE remastered so poorly that it sounds as though the singers and orchestra were singing in an orange juice can.And then...they issue an absolute jewel such as this ravishing recording of LA BOHEME. Make no mistake about it. If you love Beecham's reading on EMI or Von Karajan's, you will not be disappointed. I daresay this may become your favorite.Schippers never had the chance to show the world all he could do, but in this instance we see what a marvelous Puccini conductor he was. Mimi's and Rudolfo's solos, Musetta's great solo and all of the ensemble pieces are consistently thoughtful, deeply heartfelt and surprisingly well-recorded.It's been a long, long time since I wept listening to any recording of this work, but I wept at this grand performance by the Rome Opera and RAI.There is a moment at which the informed listener hears a performance which seems to reflect all of the shades of meaning, the musical values and emotions which color all the best recordings. And they all come together here on this super, super budget issue -- which has become my favorite Boheme.Go for it."

Freni and Pavarotti exceed their studio version--amazing

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 02/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The classic Boheme on CD is the Decca set under Karajan, where Pavarotti and Freni make an unmatched pair of lovers. Their only competition could be themselves, and here in 1969, their younger selves are that much more tender, ardent, and vocally sublime. Because this live performance was made for Italian Radio, there are no stage or audience noises, and the stereo sound is excellent--quite up to studio standards. Just for the two lovers, this is an indispensable recording.



I must admit to never hearing of Rita Talarico before, but she is a good, rather old-fashioned Musetta, who sings carefully, if not with great sparkle or abandon. She's really a Mimi in disguise. Sesto Buscantini can be a little rough as Marcello, but he's a veteran and in fine voice (this must have come at the end of his admired career). In any event, to hear an all-Italian cast in Boheme is very welcome. Schippers had conducted Freni's first Boheme for EMI a few years previously, and as before, he shows himself to be attentive and lyrical, if not the last word in excitement and style.



In sum, I agree with the reviewer who calls this one of Opera d'Oro's best releases.



P.S. -- In the embarrassment of riches department, Opera d'Oro has another great La Boheme, this time from the Vienna State Opera in 1963. It features a very young Freni, this time opposite Gianni Raimondi rather than Pavarotti. Karajan conducts sublimely -- miles ahead of Schippers -- and if you can tolerate very good mono sound, the excitement of a staged performance makes this recording electric."

Astonishingly fine - and astonishingly cheap

Ralph Moore | Bishop's Stortford, UK | 01/14/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I never thought that the supremacy of the Karajan studio recording could be challenged by any other, not even the excellent Callas/Di Stefano or De los Angeles/Bjorling versions, but of course I did not imagine that there could exist another recording featuring the same two artists in comparable sound - but here it is, in splendidly rich stereo at a bargain price. Furthermore, Pavarotti and Freni are in marginally fresher, more youthful voice which proves a trump card just where, for example, Callas or Bjorling are open to the accusation that they sound a little too mature.



This being a RAI studio broadcast, there is no audience intrusion and everything emerges with extraordinary clarity. This was Pavarotti's signature role; his top C wavers ever so slightly in the big aria but he is in his element. Freni has given us several surpassingly beautiful accounts of Mimi, but this could easily be the best. Schippers conducts with sensitivity and affection, although occasionally the effects he seeks sound a little too deliberate and applied. He lacks the easy, seamless grace of Karajan's subtle overview, does not creat magic as Karajan does in the snow-scene introduction to Act 3, nor does he quite have Karajan's ability to create an overwhelming impact in the climaxes - but it's still a very satisfactory interpretation. The veteran Bruscantini gives us a Marcello slightly dry of voice but verbally acute and brilliantly acted; Gianni Maffeo as Schaunard does a delightful English accent on "Incominciam" when he narrates the parrot-snuffing incident, and the supporting cast in general is strong. Ghiuselev's gruff Colline does not erase memories of Ghiaurov or Tozzi but he is wholly apt, and the Musetta of Rita Talarico - an artist of whom I have never previously heard but who is quite up to the vocal demands of the role - equally so, if just a little staid and shrill.



This would make a great gift for introducing a novice to opera (though the provision of a libretto would be advisable if you don't buy the luxury Opera d'Oro issue) and it makes a very desirable and affordable supplement for the more experienced opera lover, even if you already own a couple of recordings. A real Opera d'Oro winner."