BaL 15.02.25 - Puccini: La bohème

[Pulcinella]

1500
Building a Library
Flora Willson chooses her favourite version of Puccini's La bohème

Puccini's ever-popular opera is set in Paris around 1830 and depicts the life and loves of four Bohemian artists and students. The world premiere of La bohème was in Turin in 1896. It has become part of the standard Italian opera repertory and is one of the most frequently performed operas worldwide. It is full of great tunes, passionate love duets and light-hearted student frolics.

Presto listing here:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/works/57893--puccini-la-boheme/browse

[Barbirollians]

Flora Willson - a total switch off reviewer . Its really depressing how they now have this small army of preferred reviewers many of whom are not experts in the particular field.

I suppose what we do not know is whether many of the apparently now banished reviewers either won't do twofers or are too old or infirm to review. .

[gradus]

Beecham's recording still commands my affections but Karajan's is wonderful too.

[Pulcinella]

Karajan (Freni/Pavarotti), Schippers (Freni/Gedda), and Serafin (Tebaldi/Bergonzi) here.

[Keraulophone]

I suppose what we do not know is whether many of the apparently now banished reviewers either won't do twofers or are too old or infirm to review.

Can you imagine a flailing A McG attempting to interrupt the seasoned flow of the likes of Richard Osborne talking about Beethoven or Bruckner? Would Andrew feel obliged to utter kind words about Karajan recordings in RO's presence?!

[Barbirollians]

Can you imagine a flailing A McG attempting to interrupt the seasoned flow of the likes of Richard Osborne talking about Beethoven or Bruckner? Would Andrew feel obliged to utter kind words about Karajan recordings in RO's presence?!

Or critical words in Stephen Johnson's presence !

[Barbirollians]

On topic - Beecham, Chailly, Karajan,Erede , Serafin,Schippers ( studio and live with Albanese/Bergonzi) and the Callas/Moffo/di Stefano with Votto. I think that's enough La Bohemes for me.

[Expianoman]

Here I have Serafin (Tebaldi/Bergonzi) 1959, Leinsdorf (Anna Moffo) 1962 and Schippers (Mirella Freni) 1964. I used to have Beecham on LP 1956. Nothing later. Oh dear!

[Lordgeous]

Beecham for me, loved since my teens, along with his Carmen. But I'll look forward to this BAL.

[Wolfram]

I grew up with Gigli/Albanese/Berrettoni and later Pavarotti/Freni/Karajan. Despite having Beecham and Serafin on the shelves - along with several others - it’s these two that I always take down to play. But there’s such an embarrassment of riches in these recordings that I totally respect those who hear them differently.

[Wolfram]

I grew up with Gigli/Albanese/Berrettoni and later Pavarotti/Freni/Karajan. Despite having Beecham and Serafin on the shelves - along with several others - it’s these two that I always take down to play. But there’s such an embarrassment of riches in these recordings that I totally respect those who hear them differently.

However, Bergonzi is quite superb on the Serafin.

[Barbirollians]

As he is on the live Schippers

[Darloboy]

Previous BaL recommendations:

Alan Blyth (Feb 84): Beecham + Serafin as stereo choice

Jeremy Sams (Oct 98): Serafin + Pappano as modern recording choice

Alexandra Wilson (Jun 08): Beecham + Lopez Cobos as DVD/Modern Recommendation)

Personally my guilty pleasure is Karajan with Pavarotti

[Barbirollians]

I dont think it is anything to be guilty about . Its fab

[Maclintick]

I dont think it is anything to be guilty about . Its fab

Agreed. In addition to HvK/Pavarotti/Freni I only have Serafin/Tebaldi/Bergonzi, which will probably suffice unless I encounter the Beecham in a charity shop. I haven't heard Bohème in the opera house since the last outing of John Copley's classic ROH staging in 2012, was it ? Great cast headed by Joseph Calleja and Carmen Gianattasio.