Rating: 
Summary: LA BOHEME
Review: je voulais voir encore une fois si c est possibl
Rating:
Summary: delightful production
Review: Just for the record, this is a video recording of the performance of January 16, 1982 at the Met, which features Teresa Stratas as Mimi, Jose Carreras as Rodolfo, Renata Scotto as Musetta, Richard Stilwell as Marcello, James Morris as Colline, Alan Monk as Schaunard, Italo Tajo as Benoit and Alcindoro, and Dale Caldwell as Parpignol. James Levine conducts. The performance as a whole is very enjoyable; the two principals look very credible on stage, and their voices blend successfully. Scotto does not overdo the coquettish nature of her role. All 4 Acts are well paced, sung, and presented. The costumes are distinguished, and Franco Zeffirelli attends to minor details in the production - as discussed in the excellent 20 minute interview which follows the opera - that often get overlooked. The sound quality for this medium is excellent. The total playing time is 141 minutes. At medium price, less than many CD recordings, this can be recommended with enthusiasm.
Rating:
Summary: Carreras stupendous as Rodolfo!
Review: Just from the title of this review you know how I feel about Carreras in this particular opera. Of course, that was before his illness. His voice contained such great beauty (to me, even moreso than Pavarotti's) and he used it with great effectiveness in interpretation. His acting was excellent too. With Carreras in such a fabulous lyrical role, how can one go wrong with this production? His singing was top notch, and the acting was up to par. Teresa Stratas, one whom I feel is a great singing actress, was incredibly convincing as Mimi. Her soprano was one essentially of lyrical tone, so, combined with her acting, Stratas delivered an extraordinary performance. In contrast to how others feel about Scotto as Musetta, however, I can't say she did a good job. I feel she did an awfully lousy job. Her rendition of Quando Men vo was appalling, especially toward the end of the aria, during that high note. Her singing was choppy, her voice heavy, and her acting mediocre. As much as I love Scotto and admire and honor her achievements, I don't think she made a good Musetta to begin with. Having said thus, everything else and everyone else was great (WOW, the sets were absolutely gorgeous!). Oh, and fabulous conducting, Levine....
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous Boheme
Review: La Boheme is one of the most beautiful operas ever written, and it's also one of the hardest to sing perfectly, but this comes about as close as any. First of all, Jose Carreras was a joy here. His Rodolfo was very moving and beautiful. Even Pavarotti's beautiful voice doesn't make up for his poor acting, but Carreras has both voice and stage presence. Teresa Stratas, next of all, is one of the most wonderful Mimi interpreters ever. her acting is also top notch, and she looks very believable, like she's truly ill. By the way, she also sang wonderfully in another part that requires illness (La Traviata.) The rest of the cast were all fine, especially Renata Scotto in the role of Musetta and James Morris as Colline. Scotto, having sung Mimi on an earlier recording with Alfredo Kraus as Rodolfo, knows this opera well and her Musetta is unique. Perhaps best of all are the sets, designed by Franco Zeffirelli. Levine was a great conducter and the choruses were well done. Buy this! I really suggest it.
Rating: 
Summary: On stage motion has "Matrix" effect!
Review: Not having seen the VHS version, I can't say if it's the DVD transfer that is at fault. But of the two camera angles used, the main one shot from the rear is the only one that to me, exhibits this motion phenomena. Whereas, from the other camera angle, shots of the conductor and orchestra pit appear just fine. Maybe the low light and distance to the stage have something to do with it? Overall a wonderful production.
Rating:
Summary: must have La Boheme
Review: stupendous,awesome,and spectacular are only a few adjectives i can think of to describe this performance of La Boheme. the sets are fantastic,the acting and singing i feel were superb.the only dissapointment i had was that the ending was not as profound as the covent garden production with Neil Shicoff as Rodolfo. however in lieu of this minor dissapointment,i feel this dvd is definitely a must have.
Rating:
Summary: La Boheme
Review: Teresa Stratas and José Carreras are absolutely superb. Great and Great voice. I saw this DVD three times.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Performance but Poor Production Quality
Review: The cast, music and scenes are as good as one can expect from a stage opera. Voices are beautiful. But the video quality is not even as good as VHS - the DVD is probably a digital copy of the analog VHS to begin with. In addition, the video compression is poorly done, with ghost images that occur with fast movements. Audience noices are a big distraction. I also own a Gulda Mozart concert DVD made by Pioneer, same problem, ghost images and audience noices. Someboy also mentioned that Pioneer's "Metropolitan Opera - Centennial Gala" is also a low-quality production. Music lovers, when it comes to Pioneer Classics, think twice before you buy.
Rating: 
Summary: Great production... but singers beware!
Review: There are two problems with this DVD that buyers,(especially singers)should know. Number one, subtitles, or more accurately, the lack thereof. The only subtitles available are in English and they cannot be turned off. Number two, I agree with other reviewers that Carreras does a marvelous job of acting and of singing. But on this DVD, one thing he does not have that Pavaratti most certainly would is a high C! Che Gelida Manina is marked down a half-step and only goes to a B natural. I realize these things might not matter to the casual viewer, but as an opera singer I bought the DVD not only to watch but to learn as well. In order to do this I would have certainly appreciated subtitles available in the original Italian as well as all the music sung in the original key!
Rating:
Summary: Great production... but singers beware!
Review: There are two problems with this DVD that buyers,(especially singers)should know. Number one, subtitles, or more accurately, the lack thereof. The only subtitles available are in English and they cannot be turned off. Number two, I agree with other reviewers that Carreras does a marvelous job of acting and of singing. But on this DVD, one thing he does not have that Pavaratti most certainly would is a high C! Che Gelida Manina is marked down a half-step and only goes to a B natural. I realize these things might not matter to the casual viewer, but as an opera singer I bought the DVD not only to watch but to learn as well. In order to do this I would have certainly appreciated subtitles available in the original Italian as well as all the music sung in the original key!
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