Customer Reviews

La Boheme

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This recording from the late 1950's is superb in every detail. Carlo Bergonzi was a tenor of immaculate quality, refined and romantically subtle. There are many singers who today could learn at the feet of this glorious tenor. Renata Tabaldi was one of most gloriously, full-voiced yet refined sopranos of her day. She was definitely a Diva of the first magnitude. Ettore Bastianini, as Marcello had such wonderfully rounded sounds from a rich baritone voice. Serafin conducts this opera with his accustomed devotion. Love oozes from every bar of the score, brought to life with engulfing affection by the master. Some make think his approach as 'schmultz' all I can say is long may that be the case. But, really it is devotion to romance that is probably the cause! When I first listened to this recording, on disc, some 30 years ago, I cried. It still has this power to do so today, and no other rendition of this opera has done so. None other are anywhere near to approaching the emotion as experienced in this recording , now dating over 40 years.

This is a great recoding of La Boheme. There are others which rank highly but this is about as good as it gets. It is worth the price of the CDs just to hear the last three numbers of Act One alone (including Tebaldi's unbelievably powerful rendition of 'Mi chiamano Mimi'). What a great voice. And at this price it's a bargain.

I first heard this recording in it's mono form. Being a true opera fan, I was almost afraid to admit that I didn't like it. MUCH to my surprise, it had to do with the faulty recording. THIS STEREO set is incredible. Mimi's death scene, conducted by Serafin, is one of the most shocking moments I've ever heard on records or CDs!! Bergonzi and the GREAT Bastianini adds the true talent that makes this recording TRULY classic. These voices are all captured in TRUE stereo, and will make your walls shake, not with fright, but with ecstasy!!

This is an essential recording of Puccini's most beloved opera. Tebaldi's second recording of Mimi is more gentle, thus an ideal. She may not sound as fragile as De Los Angeles (another thrilling Mimi) but there is no soprano that can surpass the beauty and luxury of Tebaldi's instrument. Listen to her dramatic outbreak "Rodolfo m'ama" in her duet with Bastianini. Her vocal caliber produces shocking experiences rarely heard! Her "Mi chiamano Mimi" is responsible for my first tears when listnening to opera recordings.

If one can argue that Tebaldi is the best Mimi since De Los Angeles is certainly not less memorable, the role of Rodolfo is a closed matter. Bergonzi is the poet for whom the role of Rodolfo was written. It's mostly used for vocal fireworks forgetting the lyrical sound. (P. Domingo has also stated this) but Bergonzi has both. Along with Renata, they'll make with their duets the most demanding listner cry. However, beyond them the cast includes legends like E. Bastianini, C. Siepi and the less popular G. D'Angelo. T. Serafin's superb conducting completes this legendary La Boheme. (Keep in mind that this double decca is the one with a complete libretto, not the London release)

It's quite interesting that the only review (until now) which has rated with less than five stars this gem is written by one of those crazy Callas fans.To them anything that does not include Callas is worthless (whether that's Tebaldi, Caballe, Price etc). This shows how much you can trust their reviews.

This performance sparkles with all of the warmth, humor, and humanity of Puccinni's most popular opera. Renata Tebaldi possessed one of the most beautiful voices in this century. 'O gelida manina' highlights this beauty of tone, as well as the steadiness of her voice.

In fact, there is not a weak voice on this recording. Particularly moving is the emotional music throughout Act III.

Tullio Serafin conducts with characteristic style, eliciting clarity of line as well as emotional expression.

If you are looking for a 'Boheme'for your library, I recommend this one. Treat yourself!

Puccini

La Boheme

Tullio Serafin
Orchestra e coro dell'Accademia di Santa Cecilia, Roma

Renata Tebaldi - Mimi
Carlo Bergonzi - Rodolfo
Gianna d'Angelo - Musetta
Ettore Bastianini - Marcello
Cesare Siepi - Colline
Renato Cesari - Schaunard
Fernando Corena - Beniot & Alcindoro
Piero de Palma - Parpignol
Attilio d'Orazi - Sergente
Giorgio Onesti - Doganiere

(London/Decca - 1959 analogue to digital remaster - 1989)

This magnificent performance from 1959 is still the best buy for any music lover. A true masterwork performance from all involved. This deserves a Sixth Star.

In my opinion, no one has come along to rival Tebaldi in her many Puccini roles. Her voice is mellifluous yet powerful. She is paired here with Bergonzi, who is equal to her in artistry. I much prefer this version to the Pavarotti/Freni outing. Freni is simply not one of the foremost talents of this century; her tone is childish at times, her vibrato annoying. I will gladly put up with D'Angelo's callow Musetta in this fine recording, which is surprisingly well engineered for its time.