La bohème (The Bohemians) - Giacomo Puccini
Information about the opera La bohème by Giacomo Puccini, and the best recordings available on CD or DVD, or for download.
Puccini's most popular work.
Synopsis
The opera describes scenes in the life of four bohemian artists and their lovers.
Recommended recordings on CD
Votto/Callas/Stefano (Naxos Historical 8.111332-33)
A superb version for Callas lovers, and an excellent performance by Di Stefano.
Milan La Scala Orchestra, Milan La Scala Chorus, conducted by Antonino Votto, 1956.
Cast: Maria Callas (Mimi), Giuseppe Di Stefano (Rodolfo), Anna Moffo (Musetta), Rolando Panerai (Marcello).
Naxos Historical 8.111332-33 (mono)
Billy/Netrebko/Villazón (Deutsche Grammophon 477 6600-GH2)
Recorded live at the Philharmonie am Gasteig, Munich, in 2007, this is an outstanding performance by all concerned; highly recommended.
Bavarian Radio Symphony Chorus and Orchestra, conducted by Bertrand de Billy, 2007.
Cast: Anna Netrebko (Mimi), Rolando Villazón (Rodolfo), Nicole Cabell (Musetta), Boaz Daniel (Marcello).
Deutsche Grammophon 477 6600-GH2
Beecham/Angeles/Björling (Naxos Historical 8.111249-50)
Beecham's classic studio recording now available at budget price.
Columbus Boychoir, RCA Victor Chorus, RCA Victor Orchestra, conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham, 1956.
Cast: Victoria de los Angeles (Mimi), Jussi Björling (Rodolfo), Lucine Amara (Musetta), Robert Merrill (Marcello).
Naxos Historical 8.111249-50 (mono)
Humburg/Orgonasova/Welch (Naxos 8.660003-04)
Slovak Philharmonic Chorus, Bratislava Children's Choir, Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra Bratislava, conducted by Will Humburg, 1990.
Cast: Luba Orgonasova (Mimi), Jonathan Welch (Rodolfo), Carmen Gonzales (Musetta), Fabio Previati (Marcello).
Naxos 8.660003-04
Humburg/Orgonasova/Welch (Naxos 8.660907-09)
An Opera Plus version combining La bohème (c. Humburg) with a commentary CD.
Slovak Philharmonic Chorus, Bratislava Children's Choir, Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra Bratislava, conducted by Will Humburg.
Cast: Luba Orgonasova (Mimi), Jonathan Welch (Rodolfo), Carmen Gonzales (Musetta), Fabio Previati (Marcello).
Naxos 8.660907-09
Karajan/Freni/Pavarotti (Decca 421 049-2)
Karajan's is still the finest stereo recording of La bohème.
Schoenberg Boys' Choir, Berlin German Opera Chorus, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Herbert von Karajan, 1972.
Cast: Mirella Freni (Mimi), Luciano Pavarotti (Rodolfo), Elizabeth Harwood (Musetta), Rolando Panerai (Marcello).
Decca 421 049-2
Also included in the boxed set:
Puccini: Pavarotti
Beecham/Angeles/Björling (EMI 567 750-2)
The definitive, classic recording, now remastered. Also available on La bohème (c. Beecham).
Columbus Boychoir, RCA Victor Chorus, RCA Victor Orchestra, conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham, 1956.
Cast: Victoria de los Angeles (Mimi), Jussi Björling (Rodolfo), Lucine Amara (Musetta), Robert Merrill (Marcello).
EMI 567 750-2 (mono)
Recommended recordings on DVD
Nelsons/Gerzmava/Ilincai (Opus Arte OA 1027 D)
From a production at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in 2009.
Royal Opera House Covent Garden Chorus, Royal Opera House Covent Garden Orchestra, conducted by Andris Nelsons, 2009.
Cast: Hibla Gerzmava (Mimi), Teodor Ilincai (Rodolfo), Inna Dukach (Musetta), Gabriele Viviani (Marcello).
Opus Arte OA 1027 D
López-Cobos/Mula/Machado (Opus Arte OA 0961 D)
A superb production recorded live at the Teatro Real de madrid, March 2006. Its excellent singing and acting, fine sound, and detailed, cinematic-style sets make it a first choice.
Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro Real, Children's Chorus of the Comunidad de Madrid, conducted by Jésus López-Cobos, 2006.
Cast: Inva Mula (Mimi), Aquiles Machado (Rodolfo), Laura Giordano (Musetta), Fabio Maria Capitanucci (Marcello).
Opus Arte OA 0961 D
Bartoletti/Gallardo-Domâs/Alvarez (TDK DV-OPBOH)
A beautiful Zeffirelli production from La Scala, Milan, in 2003 which perfectly captures the opera with first-rate performances and excellent sound.
Milan La Scala Chorus, Milan La Scala Orchestra, conducted by Bruno Bartoletti, 2003.
Cast: Cristina Gallardo-Domâs (Mimi), Marcelo Alvarez (Rodolfo), Hei-Kyung Hong (Musetta), Roberto Servile (Marcello).
TDK DV-OPBOH