- Actors: Mirella Freni, Luciano Pavarotti, Gino Quilico, Stephen Dickson, Nicolai Ghiaurov
- Directors: Brian Large
- Writers: Giuseppe Giacosa, Luigi Illica
- Format: Classical, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC, Import
- Language: Italian
- Subtitles: English
- Region: All Regions
- Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
- Number of discs: 1
- MPAA Rating:
- Studio: Koch International
- Release Date: May 2 2006
- Run Time: 116 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00003M5GA
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Product Description
From 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
Video Details
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
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Heartbreaking!
Jun 24 2003
Format:DVD
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.
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.
Pavarotti and Freni pretending to be bohemians
Jan 17 2003
Format:DVD
One thing I find dissapointing in many Pavarotti opera productions is that everything seems to be adapted for Pavarotti instead of Pavarotti being adapted for the plot (or the music). Everyone knows who is the star, there is no Rodolfo in Paris having a romance with a ill-fated girl; it's just Pavarotti with a wig pretending he is still able to sing a good Rodolfo and some other singers trying not to distract us. Excellent Freni does awful singing in this production and her overacting ruins her singing many times.
A special thrill for fans of Mirella Freni
Nov 10 2001
Format:DVD
As someone fell in love with Mirella Freni as Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro and who heard of her pre-eminence as a Puccini interpreter, I have been quite satisfied with this DVD. Because I am not a particularly devoted or knowledgeable fan of Puccini, I cannot really compare the merits of this version of La Boheme as opposed to any other. Nevertheless, not being immune to Puccini's legendary ability to write music that goes directly to the heart, I am invariably transported into a painful but beautiful world every time I watch this DVD.
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Most recent customer reviews
star-studded dull performance
Despite the vocal stars (and the previous effusive reviews), this performance is quite simply dull thanks to the leaden conducting. Read more
Published on Sep 22 2000 by W. Russell
Great!
Since we don't have an opera house in our city, I am thrilled to see any production of Puccini's operas. The music is so beautiful, it makes up for any other disapointments. Read more
Published on May 8 2000 by Kathryn E. Turnquist
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. Read more
Published on Mar 13 2000 by N. Gallimore
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. Read more
Published on Feb 12 2000
The vocals are 5 star, the lip-syncing no stars.
Operas are meant to be heard primarily in theatres, especially Scalla, with live big performances. In front of your small TV this video seems contrived because the wonderful... Read more
Published on Jan 5 1999 by dgtw23a@prodigy.com
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