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| |  | DVD-CD-VIDEO | Home » » Puccini: La Boheme (Great Recordings of the Century) | | | | | | | Description: | | 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 | | | Product Details: | | | Audio CD Release Date:
| April 09, 2002 | | Studio:
| EMI Classics | | Composer:
| Giacomo Puccini | | Conductor:
| Sir Thomas Beecham | | Orchestra:
| RCA Victor Chorus & Orchestra | | Number Of Discs:
| 2 | | Format:
| Limited Edition, Original recording remastered | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 25 reviews |
| | | Track Listing: | | | Disc: 1 | | | 1. | Act One: Questo 'Mar Rosso' Mi Ammollisce E Assidera | | 2. | Act One: Aguzza L'igegno | | 3. | Act One: Legna!... Sigari! | | 4. | Act One: Si Puo?... Chi E La? - Fernando Corena | | 5. | Act One: Al Quartiere Latin Ci Attende Momus | | 6. | Act One: Chi E La? - The Columbus Boychoir | | 7. | Act One: Oh! Sventata! - Jussi Bjorling | | 8. | Act One: Che Gelida Manina! - Jussi Bjorling | | 9. | Act One: Si. Mi Chiamano Mimi - Jussi Bjorling | | 10. | Act One: Ehi! Rodolfo! | | 11. | Act One: O Soave Fanciulla, O Dolce Viso | | 12. | Act Two: Aranci, Datteri! | | 13. | Act Two: Chi Guardi? | | 14. | Act Two: Viva Parpignol! | | 15. | Act Two: Oh! Musetta! - Fernando Corena | | 16. | Act Two: Quando Men' Vo Soletta - Fernando Corena | | 17. | Act Two: Chi I'ha Richiesto? | | | Disc: 2 | | | 1. | Act Three: Ohe, La, Le Guardie!... Aprite! - Lucine Amara | | 2. | Act Three: Sa Dirmi, Scusi, Qual'e L'osteria - Victoria De Los Angeles | | 3. | Act Three: Mimi!... Speravo Di Trovarvi Qui | | 4. | Act Three: Marcello. Finalmente. | | 5. | Act Three: Mimi E Una Civetta | | 6. | Act Three: Mimi E Tanto Malata! | | 7. | Act Three: Addio... D'onde Lieta Usci Al Tuo Grido D'amore - The Columbus Boychoir | | 8. | Act Three: Dunque E Proprio Finita? - Jussi Bjorling | | 9. | Act Three: Che Facevi? Che Dicevi? | | 10. | Act Four: In Un Coupe? - The Columbus Boychoir | | 11. | Act Four: O Mimi, Tu Piu Non Torni | | 12. | Act Four: Che Ora Sia?... L'ora Del Pranzo - The Columbus Boychoir | | 13. | Act Four: Gavotta... Minuetto... Pavanella | | 14. | Act Four: C'e Mimi... C'e Mimi - The Columbus Boychoir | | 15. | Act Four: Ho Tanto Freddo. Se Avessi Un Manicotto! | | 16. | Act Four: Vecchia Zimarra - John Reardon | | 17. | Act Four: Sono Andate? Fingevo Di Dormire - Jussi Bjorling | | 18. | Act Four: Mi Chiamano Mimi... Il Perch Non So - Jussi Bjorling | | 19. | Act Four: Dorme?... Riposa | |
| | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 25 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 21 found the following review helpful:
 Legendary!!!Feb 01, 2005
By The Cultural Observer
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!
20 of 22 found the following review helpful:
The best of allMar 23, 2005
By S. Greer
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.
12 of 12 found the following review helpful:
The Pinnacle Recording of LA BOHEMENov 26, 2004
By Grady Harp
'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
22 of 25 found the following review helpful:
The Alternative to Karajan's BohèmeOct 14, 2007
By Benjamin
This is in my opinion one of the best recordings of Puccini's opera 'La bohème', along with Karajan Freni-Pavarotti recording on DECCA. The orchestra is rich and Beecham's direction is masterful. The wonderful instrumental work goes its own way despite of what is going on on the stage, like if Beecham was more interested in the singing, but not in the acting, in what happens on stage. The Catalan soprano Victòria dels Àngels is a perfect Mimì, sweet and fragile, and she finds a perfect balance in the warm and fierce Rodolfo of Björling, making a good couple Mimì-sick woman / Rodolfo-vigorous man. Merrill sings very well and his role is very well represented in here.
This is a remastered edition in the wonderful Great Recordings of the Century collection by EMI, and again, highly recommended along with the Karajan version. Also, while I am writing this review, the amazon price is $13,97, which is an absolute bargain! So perhaps this is your first choice for Puccini's Bohème.
Bottomline: Along with Karajan's, this is the Bohème to go. And it is a bargain! Thanks for reading.
P.S. If you find my review helpful, vote YES (It does not mean you agree. It just means you found it helpful). You can read all my other reviews if you wish to. I modestly write them to help people form an opinion about movies, music and books, but if nobody reads them (if you don't vote I do not know if you did) there is no point in writing them.
17 of 19 found the following review helpful:
Beecham - 10, Toscanini - 0May 07, 2002
By James Weathers
"F.L.E.O."
Although Toscanini conducted at the premier and had a close relation with the composer, Beecham later received correspondence from Puccini that indicated he preferred a more leisurly pace to the opera as opposed to the almost frantic pace of Toscanini. The result is this marvelous recording; the slower tempo renders the music voluptuous and sensual. Probably would have been given an X-Rating if such a think existed at that time. The principal singers are in top voice. Well worth adding to your collection.
See all 25 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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