Search - Giacomo Puccini, Luciano Pavarotti, Mirella Freni :: Puccini: La Bohème

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."