Rating: 
Summary: A Most Alive Performance!
Review: Opera snobs might find it hard to believe the traditional opera they've known (or they think they've known) can be performed with such realism, and operatic singing can be such that one doesn't need to stand still and look totally prepared before shooting a sound - so they invented the theory of singers in this production being amplified. Their argument, to which I responded with laughs, is, however, an insult to the singers.For some singers opera means little beyond singing, but for some other singers it means tremendous amount of emotional and physical devotion, which will make an utterly different outcome in terms of the effectiveness of this art form, whether or not the singers are willing or able to make such commitment is another thing. The fact that this cast have brought the story totally alive and so many people (man and woman; young and old) shed tears is due to the entire cast's hard work, their belief in artistic creation, and of course, their talent. For those who expressed disbelieving of Hobson being real opera singer, it's a bit too late because he has already sung twenty-six lead roles with AO/OA and other companies in Australia, as well as with SFO. For those who believe Hobson uses amplification, you need to work out a better theory since one of his best sung roles - Orphée in Orphée et Eurydice - was bare-upper-bodied for the entire Act II & III.
In a world where people's vision could be locked by "traditions" or "standards", we are lucky to have directors and singers who are open-minded and aiming for more elastic approaches. It's true that this production may not be what Puccini had in mind, but in the end, the most authentic performance always belongs to the most alive performance.
Rating:
Summary: Chacun à son goût!
Review: Those who really know their opera (or operettas) will recognise the quote! For those who only think they know opera, but can't even get their facts straight I'll translate - "Every man to his taste"!
The question of 'amplified' artists of The Australian Opera was dealt with several months ago, and obviously the explanations concerning the SOH Opera Theatre acoustics rejected by some viewers, have they experienced them for themselves - I have! Perhaps, saying the artists were amped in Bohème was a back-handed compliment, but it's also insulting the talent of the singers. Cheryl Barker (note the spelling, please) will be singing with the HGO in two operas this year - do they also amp their performers?
As previously noted David Hobson has sung at the War Memorial Opera House, with the SFO - do they also amp their performers? There have been many appreciative reviews on this page, and it is pleasing to see that the recent release of the Bohème DVD in Europe is also being greeted with great acclaim, and questions as to why such an outstanding production took so long to reach them! The general consensus seems to be that this will be the definitive production for many years to come.
Rating: 
Summary: Real opera singers don't need mikes
Review: This is an embarrassment to Puccini. Real opera singers sing unamplified. If Baker and Hobson were Nilsson and Corelli, they wouldn't need mikes, no matter how bad the acoustics are. Baker and Hobson aren't even Freni and Pavarotti. Get other DVDs of "La Bohème". Leave this one to those who are deaf and have neither taste nor standards when it comes to real operatic singing.
Rating:
Summary: I Loved It
Review: I don't know very much about opera, but I enjoy creative, artistic presentations. Although I didn't like Luhrmann's "Moulin Rouge", I think he did a superb job here. He caught the spirit of the story. The set was simple but very effective in supporting the story (although I would have loved to have seen the "L'Amour" sign in red at the end). I thought the lead singers were wonderful. If you just want to enjoy a good opera with some fine music, you won't be disappointed in this dvd.
Rating: 
Summary: the one to have!? come on! this is opera!
Review: I will not comment very much, only that I have seen very strange reviews here. Even some people putting this soap-opera effort in a higher position to the GREAT ones (Pavarotti/Freni, for example), which is not only ingnorance, but also offensive to serious opera lovers. I will only say that if you know nothing, and care less about what singing and opera should be, of course this is the one to buy.
Rating:
Summary: LA BOHEME; ALIVE AT LAST
Review: This Austrailian Production from Sydney is perfect. The cast is young,energetic and of normal WEIGHT. It is difficult to imagine anyone being attracted to some of the fatties who have played Rodolfo, but David Hobson is believable and has a beautiful voice. He also LISTENS when he sings with mimi. I agree with other writers ....this is an excellant "beginners" opera because it makes sense and is believable. I bought several copies for christmas gifts...and here I am about to buy more for my "non opera " friends.I have seen boheme in columbus, cincinnati, the met, covent garden and la Scala and have always thought the productions were"nice" And I realize I am not part of the cognizatti: however, this performance is dazzling. I wish this had existed when I was studying music at O.S.U. but it was not. It would have been exciting to sit and debate the many reasons it is so good. Pay particular attention to Act II, there is a long shot of the stage with all the chorus and it appears to be a photo/flash shot, but then one real;izes that the chorus is all dressed in shades of gray which of course makes the major playerS stand out. I may have to buy a second copy for myself...i will wear mine out. In my opinion this would be a perfect gift for anyone who has any interest in music....and the timing is right too....Christmas Eve"(randius@aol.com)
Rating:
Summary: Can't go wrong
Review: I loved the music to Rent! and Moulin Rouge, but I wanted to become truly aware of the music of the bohemian lifestyle!
Viewing this after hearing/seeing the others, is like going to the Holy Land.
I didn't like the actress/singer for the part of Mimi so much... I just felt there had to be "something" more there. But that will not skew my score of a 5 out of 5.
This is my first time seeing an opera, and what a great first time it has been! I was only confused for a few minutes about some details of the background of the story, but once I viewed it over again it made perfect sense. The subtitles are done quite nice, but concentrate on the actual words for the music because the subtitles won't show you all of the repeats or simiple words like "yes." Keep an eye out for Musette's performance it is flawless!
Rating:
Summary: It Just Doesn't Get Any Better.
Review: La Boheme is one of the fundamental works in any opera lover's collection. It's plot has been called "saccharine" by critics who confuse sentiment with cloyishness, but it's score is nonstop lyricism from beginning to end. Anyone who has dry eyes at the end lacks a heart.I have seen it many times, but this performance, in many ways, is like seeing it for the first time. It is set in Paris in the 1950's rather than in the late 19th century. I believe that the staging is "minimalist", but if that is the wrong term, it is certainly unconventional. Yet everything works so well! The singers are all young, vocally talented and are capable actors. For example, in scenes where the camera does close up work on Mimi and Rodolfo, the singers are totally focused on each other. Neither looks for a prompter or at the conductor. All of the singers are good, from a vocal perspective. More importantly, they are all believeable in their roles, even when the viewer KNOWS that this is ...opera! Opera which has been referred to as the ultimate in unbelieveability. I cannot say enough about this aspect of this DVD. There are many versions on CD, some better than others, and at least one other version ( an excellent Met performance with Stratas and Carreras ), yet this performance, with all its departures from tradition, has a youthful intensity that has to be experienced to be understood The disc quality is excellent. The video is crisp, with no degredation at any time, and the sound has Dolby 5.1 as an option, which makes the immediacy of the performance so compelling. Conductor and orchestra, minor players and principals, stage director and producer combine to provide the viewer with a memorable theatrical experience. La Boheme is an excellent "starter" opera for those who want to learn about it, and this performance is an eye opener for those of us who are perhaps too familiar with it. For those who live in areas where stage performances are nonexistant, the DVD experience can enable the operatic experience as "next best" to live. I recommend this one without reservation.
Rating: 
Summary: Good production, good performances
Review: La Boheme happens to be one of my favorite operas along with La Traviata, Marriage of Figaro, and Pagliacci. I like Baz Luhrman's production of Puccini's work. It presents the original themes of the opera in a manner which bridges the gap between traditional theatre and today. The presentation is also easier for the younger audiences to understand, set in Paris in the 20th century.
The performances were satisfactory. Not the most spectacular ever heard, but still very very well done. Favorite scenes of mine include Musetta's aria in Act 2 and the opening of Act 4 (duet: Rodolfo, Marcello). I highly recomend this as an introduction to opera for those less knowledgeable. I highly enjoyed it.
Now, Moulin Rouge is a completely different story - more like a continuance of the same theme but with lame music. Listening to a regurgitated 80's love song medley is not my idea of a good musical. La Boheme is great. Moulin Rouge - not so much.
Rating: 
Summary: I simply did not enjoy their modern interpreation of the ope
Review: I couldn't understand how they could be poor bohemians in ski outfits.
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