Customer Reviews

Puccini - La Bohème / Freni, Pavarotti, Harwood, Berlin Phil., Karajan [Highlights]

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am writing this review a few days after the death of Luciano Pavarotti. Even if I do not know music, I like opera, and I love Puccini. This recording is one of the most beautiful I ever heard, and will make it clear, if ever there was any doubt, that we just lost one of the most outstanding artists of the 20th century.

Forget about his incursions in pop music, forget about his late years marriage with a younger woman and forget about his frequent cancellations and all that. Just listen to "Che gelida manina" in this recording and weep... Mirella Freni is an amazing co-star, and her Mimi' is as superb as Pavarotti's Rodolfo. Everyone in this recording is superb. Here you will truly hear Pavarotti at his peak. Nothing less than magical. Indeed the full production is well worth its price, and if you can my recommendation is to purchase that rather than this (still beautiful) abridgment.

For another outstanding recording of the best Pavarotti, try the Turandot from the same label, directed by Mehta, and with an amazing Caballe' in the role of Liu'. Then, you will hear the most memorable "Nessun dorma" you will ever hear.

Thanks Mr Pavarotti for having made this world a better place.

This recording is among the top3 recordings in my opera collection. Really a special experience. I have an Erato recording of La Boheme with Carreras, which is not even getting close to this one. Just buy it! It is really a must have!!!!

Karajan's 1973 stereo version is the best all-around Boheme available. It stars his favorite soprano, Mirella Freni, and a young Luciano Pavarotti at his peak (unlike his post-climatic self these last decades). There is no faulting this version and an ideal way to explore Puccini and Italian opera generally.

I second what Des Greux said, although I own a set of highlights of Tebaldi (with Bergonzi) in Boheme and feel that it is very close to ideal. In my mind Freni will always be the perfect Mimi, with her perfect phrasing, vocal acting, and pure tones. What more the timbre of her voice optimally suggests a character of vulnerability. Tebaldi sings Mimi very well, but one can't help feeling her big, full voice to suggest health rather than tuberculosis. I enjoy both Freni and Tebaldi in the role of Mimi, but Freni is a step higher. As for Beecham/Bjorling/De Los Angeles. I'd say that version is 90% perfect. I like Los Angeles as Mimi, but she really doesn't hold a candle to Freni OR Tebaldi (or even Callas).

My critiques of music are clear and subjective. Do you not like opera? Don't waste your money. Do you really like great music and the art of opera? Give this a try. You will enjoy Puccini. I can find no fault with the recording, no fault, obviously with the music or the vocalists, an uplifting experience. Uplifting is the purpose of fine music, unless you have a savage breast to soothe.

Did I enjoy this? Very much. Will you enjoy it? Only you know. To quote the old advertisement, Try it; you'll like it.

I not only purchased this as a gift, but picked up one for myself. It's one of the best operas around.

I ordered this after I heard Paul Potts perform a song from this opera on "Britain's Got Talent". He won, by the way, performing it beautifully.

there is little doubt that this is a great recording, but don't let the editorial review blind you to the fact that there is considerable dispute over whether this is the "greatest recording ever" of this opera. Beecham's classic 1950s recording with De Los Angeles and Bjorling is very much in contention. Beecham's vocal performances are superior, and even though it is in mono this does not detract from the sheer quality of the recording. I have both sets, and enjoy the differing qualities of each, Karajan's orchestra is better, but then again opera is all about voice....listen to both sets, it will give you more perspectives of this wonderful opera.

La Boheme is Puccini's fourth opera and his second operatic success and what a great success it is! You don't have to love opera to enjoy this masterpiece, the music is enchanting, magical, and truly bears the mark of genius. A masterpiece delivered by the Maestro Pavarrotti at the peak of his vocal powers. This is the way we all want to remember Luciano, dynamic, strong, sustaining the high Cs with almost superhuman power. A wonderful recording.

you don't have to be an opera lover to love this album. Pavarotti 's golden voice is at its best in this recording of Puccini's wonderful opera.
I listen to this CD constantly and never tire of it. If you are hoping to convert someone to an opera fan, this is the recording to do it.