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Puccini - La Bohème / Baz Luhrmann, The Australian Opera

Puccini - La Bohème / Baz Luhrmann, The Australian Opera

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Everybody and everything is perfect, and no fat guys!!
Review: I have seen every performance of La Boheme and this is the best in all regards. It has no 'Superstars', but everyone was a star on this day. The set is second to none. Each character is perfectly cast. Everybody fits. There are no forty something overweight performers pretending to be young starving artists. Puchini would be proud to see his masterpiece come to life with such perfection.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: My first introduction to opera...
Review: I saw this production televised in PBS years back and it was my first introduction to opera...Love and Tragedy: 2 elements Puccini geniusly used to manipulate emotions. This production has updated the opera's setting and casts young singers with fresh voices and energy. I've had this DVD for 2 months now and I just now noticed that Baz Luhrmann directed it. No wonder you could see hints from this opera in Mr. Luhrmann's recent movie, "Moulin Rouge." It was nice to see the "L'amour" sign again.
Anyway, this is a very good opera production with good-looking singers who are also good actors. Their voices reveal that they are a young cast but isn't that what this opera is about? "Freedom beauty, truth and above all, LOVE." (Ooops, wrong movie)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Moulin Rouge tie-in
Review: When I watched Luhrmann's more recent film, Moulin Rouge, it was fun to recognize the large "L'Amour" sign from Act I of this opera production.

I've used this version of Boheme to introduce friends to opera. It's a very entertaining production, and looks great on DVD. There are occsional minor lip-synch problems but not enough to be truly distracting.

The DVD has the bonus of removable English subtitles so both opera fans and newcomers to the work can get maximum enjoyment from the disc.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Brilliant!
Review: After the wooha over Moulin Rouge, I doubt one would ever expect that director Baz Lurhman (also known for the atrocious remake of Romeo and Juliet) to have anything to do with classical music. Well this video from 1993 is proof, and excellent proof a that. While there are some Lurhman-isms in there that are rather reminiscent of Moulin Rouge (ie: The big light-up red sign that says "L'amour"), this is pretty different ground for Lurhman. He sets it in Post-WWII Paris, which is a wonderful move that portrays the bohemians in an incredibly different light (Rent, anyone?) that breathes new life into this Puccini classic. Add an incredibly talented cast (and a pretty darn attractive Rodolfo) to boot, and this video easily earns 5 stars. If you're looking to buy a video of La Boheme, I would reccomend this one, however if you have never seen the show live, you may want to get a video of a traditional production to see what it's original intention was, it makes for some great comparisons!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: La Boheme, the best staging ever
Review: This is hands down the best staging ever of the beloved Puccini opera. From the stage design, to the pastel, bright colors of the customs; and the touching performances, this La Boheme is superior to any other version by the famous opera houses.
Even secondary roles like Musseta and Marcello are fantastic. Luhrmann's exhuberance from his movies is present and vibrant here. A collectors video.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Great Boheme for New Opera Buffs
Review: This is an interesting update of the most popular opera currently in the world (except for maybe "Figaro") and an excellent choice for young people or those new to opera. I have the LD and enjoy it but prefer the traditional treatment of Zeffirelli's Met production with Stratas and Jose Carraras (prior to becoming ill). It is adequately sung and acted with young singers who will never be international stars. Charming and worthy of adding to a collection. There are just others that I prefer. This opera is so beautiful that you can't have enough versions of it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Bravo David Hobson
Review: While all the singers performed admirably, the most impressive thing about this production was the singing of tenor David Hobson. His voice is perfectly placed at all times, reminiscent of singers such as John McCormack and Jussi Bjorling. Many tenors rest their fortunes only on their high notes. Hobson sings the entire range beautifully, including the high C in Che Gelida Manina. With his ease of production, it is just another note, as it should be. This is why he is a great singer and this is a great La Boheme.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: wait for soething better
Review: As a DVD, I found this disc a great disappointment both sonically and visually. This is particularly sad as the Sydney production obviously had something special that deserved a descent recording and presentation. The picture is often soft with poor blacks. Voices are aggressive at the top and need taming whilst the orchestra has little stereo space. It may have been partially due to the original TV recording but after Image Entertainment's ham-fisted effort with Parsifal one doubts their commitment to quality mastering. I have recently seen the Glyndebourne Touring Opera perform a modern interpretation of Boheme, which I thought in many ways surpassed the Sydney production. Considering the quality of Glyndebourne DVDs, eg Le Nozze di Figaro, my recommendation would be to pass on the Sydney Boheme and wait for Glyndebourne

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Introduce someone to opera
Review: This Australian production of Puccini's La Boheme would be a great tool for introducing someone to opera. The bright colors, close-up shots, not to mention the handsome features of the players would most definitely make an opera fan of anyone.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: My favorite Boheme
Review: This is my favorite production of La Boheme - set in the 1950's, the cast is young, talented and energetic. Boheme is my favorite opera, and this is the most-accessible production I've seen of it.


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