Puccini: La Boheme (Great Recordings of the Century) [Limited Edition, Original recording remastered]

Giacomo Puccini (Composer), Sir Thomas Beecham (Conductor), RCA Victor Chorus & Orchestra (Orchestra), Victoria de Los Angeles (Performer), Jussi Bjorling (Performer), Giorgio Tozzi (Performer), Robert Merrill (Performer), Fernando Corena (Performer), John Reardon (Performer), Lucine Amara (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Victoria de Los Angeles, Jussi Bjorling, Giorgio Tozzi, Robert Merrill, Fernando Corena, et al.
• Orchestra: RCA Victor Chorus & Orchestra
• Conductor: Sir Thomas Beecham
• Composer: Giacomo Puccini
• Audio CD (April 9, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Limited Edition, Original recording remastered
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B000063UM0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #87,913 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. La bohème, opera: Questo 'Mar Rosso' mi ammollisce e assidera

2. La bohème, opera: Aguzza l'ingegno

3. La bohème, opera: Legna!...Sigari!

4. La bohème, opera: Si può?...Chi è là?

5. La bohème, opera: Al Quartiere Latin ci attende Momus

6. La bohème, opera: Chi è là?

7. La bohème, opera: Oh! sventata, sventata!

8. La bohème, opera: Che gelida manina!

9. La bohème, opera: Sì, Mi chiamano Mimì

10. La bohème, opera: Ehi! Rodolfo!

See all 17 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. La bohème, opera: Ohè, là, le guardie!...Aprite!

2. La bohème, opera: Sa dirmi, scusi, qual' è l'osteria

3. La bohème, opera: Mimi!...Speravo di trovarvi qui

4. La bohème, opera: Marcello. Finalmente.

5. La bohème, opera: Mimi è una civetta

6. La bohème, opera: Mimi è tanto malata!

7. La bohème, opera: Addio...D'onde lieta uscì al tuo grido d'amore

8. La bohème, opera: Dunque è proprio finita?

9. La bohème, opera: Che facevi? Che dicevi?

10. La bohème, opera: In un coupé?

See all 18 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Every so often in the recording industry, there's a miracle, and this is one of them. This 1956 recording was organized quickly in New York, not on the heels of a stage performance and not even with a noted orchestra. All the right singers were in town at the same time--some popping in to sing a few bars before heading for the airport--and the result is the single greatest recording of this oft-recorded opera. The leads--Victoria de Los Angeles and Jussi Björling--would make it special in any case. But Robert Merrill is excellent and Lucine Amara is a light-voiced, French-sounding, ultra-stylish Musetta. This is also the only full-length Puccini recording by the great conductor Sir Thomas Beecham. A classic. --David Patrick Stearns

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Legendary!!!, January 31, 2005

By 

The Cultural Observer - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Puccini: La Boheme (Great Recordings of the Century) (Audio CD)

This is THE La Boheme to own, and regardless of what others say, the Pavarotti/Freni version will never ever come close to the beauty of this recorded version with de los Angeles and Bjorling. Sir Thomas Beecham is also one of the main reasons to buy this recording, as his graceful musicianship gives this Boheme an insight that no other recording could ever provide. Truly a beautiful Boheme. De los Angeles is touching, and Bjorling is amazing as Rodolfo, truly passionate! Mimi has never been sung better by any other singer. Another great Boheme would be the Caballe/Domingo version, sung with great pianissimos, and if you want fire and drama, go for the beautiful Boheme by Callas and di Stefano, with Anna Moffo as the foxy Musetta!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Pinnacle Recording of LA BOHEME, November 26, 2004

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Puccini: La Boheme (Great Recordings of the Century) (Audio CD)

'Tis the season for LA BOHEME in opera houses around the world. One of, if not THE, most popular opera in the repertoire, LA BOHEME can endure even lackluster casting (as is the case with the present LA Opera production) and still the music is satisfying. Though there have been many recordings of this 'warhorse', this older version recorded in mono still satisfies on every level more than the rest. The conducting by Sir Thomas Beecham is free of his usual manipulations of scores and he is bent on allowing the flair, comedy and pathos of this near perfect creation to stand on its own. For the age of the recording the sonics are still as wondrous as a live performance.

As if the vision of Beecham weren't enough, this Boheme captures some of the greatest singers of the last century in their prime.
Victoria de los Angeles as Mimi is soaring, shy, broken hearted and ultimately sweet voiced in her demise. Jussi Bjorling rings to the rafters as Rodolfo in one of the most beautifully recorded documents of his artistry: try to keep a dry eye as he weeps when Mimi dies. Lucine Amara finds the finessed midpoint of Musetta's role and vocal line, and the Marcello of Robert Merrill is her perfect match. To cast Giorgio Tozzi and John Reardon as the other bohemians and even place Fernando Corena as Benoit gives you an idea of how important the casting is.

Sit back and enjoy every nuance of this perfect recording. It is a solid, reassuring reference point of just how this opera can sound - especially after lackluster performances occasionally encountered on stage. Grady Harp, November 2004

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of all, March 23, 2005

By 

S. Greer (Tallahassee, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Puccini: La Boheme (Great Recordings of the Century) (Audio CD)

I have heard several Bohemes in my time - my favorites being the versions with Pav and Freni; Tebaldi and Bergonzi; and this one. Neither of the first two can match this recording in overall effect. Karajan with Pav/Freni, while firmly in possession of his own wonder, misses by a hair Beecham's sensuous conducting logic. Also Pav is not the best Rodolfo: he sings too opulently to convey a blue, starving poet. The Tebaldi/Bergonzi set is a sure contender, and might have stood right with this one if its sound weren't so bad.

Now as for this set itself - three words say it: Bjoerling with Beecham. These were two of the finest artists of the last century, and it is a blessing to have this record of their collaboration. Jussi, while perhaps not as romantic as Bergonzi, was a Rodolfo for all time. That ringing golden tenor truly could build castles in air. And hell, he was romantic enough for comfort. Add Beecham, and, if you please, you've got glory. His pacing is perfect. Just listen to about midway through "che gelida manina," where Bjoerling soars and Beecham expands the tempo to let Jussi's voice raise the rafters and burn deep. And I tell you what, Jussi could burn. The quantity of air that man had was astonishing at the least, and he didn't waste it: his phrases are easy, well-drawn, and thrilling.

I have no important complaints about anyone else in the cast. I actually prefer de Los Angeles's Mimi, though I think she sometimes doesn't support high notes with enough air. As for the orchestra, there are a few mishaps where accurate entrances with the singers are concerned, but that is hardly surprising - the ensemble was assembled in roughly two days and its memebers had barely played with one another or with Beecham. The sound of the set isn't as good as one might expect from the Great Recordings series, but it is acceptable, and a well-informed ear can fill in any lacking overtones.

Buy it. You'll love it for many years, and then pass down through your family.