Search - Giacomo Puccini, Erich Leinsdorf, Anna Moffo :: La Bohème

Thoroughly enjoyable Boheme

Michel | Montreal, Quebec | 06/23/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Another good old-fashioned opera recording from the RCA's archives.

Though recorded in Rome in 1961 this version features stars from the

Metropolitan Opera of the era. All principals are at their very best.

Anna Moffo is a warm and vibrant Mimi while Mary Costa is a rather

elegant and sophisticated Musetta - not the screaming shrew often

portrayed. Richard Tucker, Robert Merrill, Giorgio Tozzi and Phillip

Maero make a fine team of rambouctious bohemians. Very well conducted

and recorded. A lovely performance of a beloved opera.





"

The All American "La Boheme" still delights

daniel0302 | New York, NY United States | 01/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A little context may be helpful to appreciate this "La Boheme". Anna Moffo was the All American Diva when this went to vinyl in 1961. Her highly successful Metropolitan Opera debut in "La Traviata", and her RCA recording of the same role placed Moffo at the top. And, she became known to American households from her numerous television appearances. Her costars were also top American singers. Richard Tucker and Robert Merrill were established artist with already rich discographies; Mary Costa, opera's Hollywood-styled Blonde Bombshell, had sung her way into American pop-culture as the voice of Princess Aurora in Disney's "Sleeping Beauty". Despite being recorded in Rome, this was an American "La Boheme" for the American public, in a record market dominated primarily by European singers.From her entrance, Moffo commands our attention like a true star. In the first act, she seems a little concentrated on the beauty of her own voice, but this self consciousness disappears in Act 2, and by Act 3 she sounds fully the consumptive and desperate heroine. With the help of Merrill, the Mimi / Marcello scene in Act 3 is perhaps the best on record. The line "ti prende un altro amantre, non fai per me" is infused with a shocking degree of panic and bitterness, unlike any other recording. This is followed by an extraordinary "Donde lietta". For the rest of the opera the listener cannot help but be captivated and moved. Richard Tucker is a bit too big of a voice for the role, and a little lacking in the requisite legato, especially for those of us familiar with more recent, lighter voiced Rodolfos (including Carreras, Pavarotti, and Alagna), but he still has much success with the role. The under-recorded Mary Costa sings Musetta with the aplomb of a seasoned musical theater performer. She finds colors and contrasts in a role where many sopranos find much less; Costa is among the very best in this role. Likewise, Robert Merrill is surely one of the best Marcellos ever recorded, consistently musical and beautifully sung, and ably supporting his costars. Philip Maero and Giorgio Tozzi complete the ensemble with fine performances. Conductor Erich Leinsdorf contributes a well-paced and thoughtful reading of the score. The new "Living Stereo" re-mastered release has a bit more hiss than the pervious CD version, but it also is much more vibrant and exciting. The reproduced original booklet art is nice, but the biographies of all are missing. Given its high quality, as well as the favorable price, this recording is an excellent choice for anyone's first "La Boheme", and a welcome supplement to someone who already owns any of the other many fine versions."