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Giacomo Puccini - La Bohème / Franco Zeffirelli ·  James Levine -  T. Stratas ·  R. Scotto ·  J. Carreras ·  MET

Giacomo Puccini - La Bohème / Franco Zeffirelli · James Levine - T. Stratas · R. Scotto · J. Carreras · MET

List Price: $29.98
Your Price: $26.98
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: GREAT!!!!
Review: This is a great La Boheme. However, the soprano that sings Mimi is a *not so good soprano* (if you will) Stratas, (the soprano that sings Mimi) shakes her tounge and jaw which means that she is using a poor vocal tequnie. (sorry, I cant spell!) That is the reason that I took off one star, cause of Stratas.

But, on the other hand, Scotto's "Quadro men vo" is one of the cutest I have ever seen. And in this video, Carreras is a hottie! (hey hey, I am a teenager, what can I say?)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Dessert Island DVD
Review: This is an absolute opera to have...i have the laser disc version and i have been watching it numerous times since I bought it in 1993. At least few times a month and now plan to buy the DVD. Stratas and Carreras and Scotto were in perfect form...Stratas interpretation of Mimi in my opinion is amongst the top Mimi on CD and DVD. Her aria melts my heart everytime and Carreras sensitive Rodolfo....so caring and so extraordinarily sung. I am now speechless, this video is definitely one of the BEST opera on screen.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Breathtaking in everyway
Review: This production of La Boheme is a masterpiece. The voices blend beautifully, and the sets and costumes are simply amazing. This is a must see for any opera buff! The Met performances shown on PBS's "Great Perfomances" are all wonderful and I wish that I could find more on VHS, but, for now, I will make due with La Boheme!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Boheme to die for .....
Review: This version of La Boheme has never been available in England, at least I have never been able to track down a copy. I actually bought the DVD directly from the Met opera shop, ask for Jack and he will give you all the advice you need, although I should warn you that it is much cheaper to buy it from amazon.com. Even more so if you live in Europe, because the shipping is much less from amazon. I have always loved San Francisco's Boheme, probably because I am obsessed with Pavarotti and Freni, and I do believe that this is the most beautifully sung Boheme available on DVD. However, if you are after an emotive and perfectly executed Boheme in which the performers and production get right under the skin, of what can be very "card board cut out characters", then look no further than this Met production. Teresa Stratus has by no stretch of the imagination a beautiful voice, but her acting and total commitment and understanding of the role of Mimi counteract this. She delivers her line at the end of her Act I aria " Altro dime non le saprei narrare." absolutely perfectly. I have never seen anyone equal it; and her intense portrayal of Mimi is full of moments like this. Hers is a truly wonderful performance and interpretation. As is Carreras' Rodolfo. I have always considered Carreras to be the better actor of the three tenors, and although he can't match their vocal splendour, he here gives the performance of a life time. Mind you, try and get a copy of a VHS of him at La Scala in La Forza del Destino - and you will see it again. The rest of the cast, with the exception of Scotto's Musetta, pale into insignificance against these two - my only major critisism is "why does James Morris look so absurd as Colline"? The production by Zeffirelli is excellent. So in conclusion, if you want exemplary singing throughout - then go for San Francisco's production with Pavarotti. If you want a Boheme from the heart, then the Met production is for you. In an ideal world, have both!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Carreras doesn't sound so good
Review: This would be a perfect video of La Boheme, if only Carreras sounded better - the forced high notes, and hardened voice are a shame, when previously his voice was so beautiful. For me, Rodolfo's singing is the most important, so I would opt for one of the Pavarotti videos, however, if you're after realism, and aren't quite so picky about the tenor, you'll probably enjoy this one. I personally hardly ever watch it - Carreras disappoints me terribly.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: nice to look at, awful to hear...
Review: truly, if one is to sing a role, it is one thing to look the part, but it is much more crucial to sing it well. Stratas is anemic looking enough to pass as a victim of consumption; unfortunately, her shrill tone far outdoes any advantage that her appearance gives her. Rather would I be momentarily amused by a robust, overly nourished diva belting out full, rounded tonesthan to hear these strained notes. Carreras is over-rated as well. As one who was raised listening to Tebaldi and Bergonzi sing these roles to perfection, this pair is horribly disappointing.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: positive.I purchased the VHS
Review: Unfortunately the introduction by AMOZON cites G Puccini as one of the stars of this production ( which is of course true (in essence) but failure to mention MS Stratas is a major blow to us who use the discography of this fine companhy to do our shopping.In any case, the Zefferelli production at the MET is fine not only on the VHS but in person.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Great performance, so-so presentation
Review: While I agree with most of what other reviewers say about this DVD, I have to disagree with both Amazon's editorial review on one point - about this being "the best visual treatment of this opera that anyone's ever likely to see." I highly doubt that: Not only is the lighting very dark throughout and the picture not widescreen, one would think that, for a DVD, the producers would film without an audience as has been done for several other opera DVDs in my collection.

Aside from the so-so presentation, the music is wonderful and the performances are excellent. I just wish the audience wasn't clapping over all my favorite parts.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Best La Boheme Production on Video!
Review: Zeffirelli has struck again with a wonderful version of La Boheme. Beautiful voices are sharply contrasted with the tragic storyline. Zeffirelli's magic rules costumes and sets, creating an unbelieveable experience. Lovers and non-lovers of opera can appreciate this one!


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