Product Description

Puccini's bittersweet opera of high-spirited bohemians and the doomed love between Rodolfo, the idealistic poet and Mimi, the consumptive flower-maker, is a beautifully balanced series of tableaux depicting the infectious joie de vivre of youth and the tragic waste of disease and separation. The legendary and incomparable partnership of Mirella Freni and Luciano Pavarotti as the two lovers has been captured in this special live recording from stage of the San Francisco Opera. Brian Large has adapted Francesca Zambello's production for the video, further illuminating the fascinating interaction of Puccini's deeply human characters. Gino Quilico sings Marcello, the colorful and moody painter, whose tempestuous relationship with the flirtatious Musetta (sung by Sandra Pacetti), comically mirrors the more profound love of Rodolfo and Mimi. Nicolai Ghiaurov sings Colline. "Luciano Pavarotti and Mirella Freni turned in incandescent performances as Puccini's young lovers."--San Francisco Times

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #25025 in DVD
• Released on: 1999-11-30
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Classical, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: Italian
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 116 minutes

Amazon.com
In 1989 when this production was taped, Luciano Pavarotti and Mirella Freni had already enjoyed long, distinguished careers. In other words, they were considerably older than La Bohème's romantic young couple, Mimi and Rodolfo. If you find this consideration important, it might be wise to skip this Bohème and invest instead in the bright, youthful, and energetic Sydney Opera production or the visually striking 1998 Metropolitan Opera production. So far, La Bohème has fared better on DVD than any other opera, and the San Francisco Bohème faces serious competition.

But this is a vintage production deserving attention on its own merits. As a matter of survival, veteran singers learn how to make experience compensate for the loss of youth, and Freni and Pavarotti are outstanding examples of how this can be done. They are aided by a sensitive stage director, a visual treatment responsive to the opera's changing moods, and an expert supporting cast deeply involved with the story and the music. They fit convincingly in roles with which they have been living for decades; both are still in good vocal condition, and the emotions are convincingly conveyed. In the supporting cast, note the excellent performances of Gino Quilico and Nicolai Ghiaurov. --Joe McLellan

Customer Reviews

An outstanding production
Although not listed under La Boheme and not as easy to find under Comp/Boheme, the search was well worth it for this oustanding production of La Boheme. Pavarotti (Rodolfo) was probably at the zenith of his abilities when this was filmed in 1989. Mirella Freni does a spectacular job as Mimi. She has a depth and "thickness" perfect for this role. The supporting cast is also extremely good. Sandra Pacetti delivers the flirtatiousness needed for Musetta. Gino Quilico also does a superb job as Marcello. The filming is good and the subtitles are placed well. What more can I say? A first-rate production by an oustanding cast. This would be an ideal DVD to have as an introduction to opera as it is well done and Boheme may be the most accessible of all operas. Definite buy!

Heartbreaking!
Anyone who has read my reviews knows that I am the biggest Freni fan imaginable. She does not disappoint me here. Yes, at this stage, her voice is a size too large for Mimi, more suitable for heavy verismo such as Tosca, Fedora and Manon Lescaut. The voice is far heavier than in her two previous studio recordings from the 60's and 70's. The vibrato is also a trifle wider than it was but all this is amply excused by her warmth and mature insight into the role. The tragedy of Mimi has never before been so heartfully portrayed. The emotions are stronger than before and by the end of the opera she totally hits her stride and a quarter of a century melts away. This is a must for all Freni fans.
Pavarotti, unfortunately, does not begin to match Freni's contribution. As many singers, such as Freni, experience a lowering of voice and a widening of vibrato, they become greater interpereters, greater artists. For Pavarotti, you don't find this. As his vocal resources diminish, so does his artistry. he sings faster than before, without as much inspiration. Still, he musters up some of the old magic and, in the end, provides a decent, if not splendid partner to Freni.
The rest of the cast is pretty darn good. The voice of Musetta may not be the most beautiful, but she provides much pleasure for this viewer. Quilico is a great Marcello! So is Ghiaurov as Colline, the one bass that can dominate an ensemble. The conducting doesn't set me on fire, but it's not bad.....serviceable. I love the staging and the sets.

An excellent La Boheme
To hear Pavarotti in the very best voice in one of his best roles was shear magic. The great Mirella Freni was fantastic, and the production near perfect. In England these productions are almost impossible to obtain, and yet one click of the mouse from Amazon.com was enough to deliver this wonderful DVD to my door in London, and all within 6 days.

I will certainly purchase from Amazon again.