Search - Giacomo Puccini, Sir Thomas Beecham, RCA Victor Orchestra :: La Boheme

The best of all

S. Greer | Tallahassee, FL | 03/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

The Pinnacle Recording of LA BOHEME

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 11/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"'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"