Puccini - La Boh?me / Freni, Pavarotti, Harwood, Ghiaurov, Karajan
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Free Music Notes for Puccini - La Boh?me / Freni, Pavarotti, Harwood, Ghiaurov, Karajan
Free Music Review: "Che manina gelida"!! That's so beautiful, isn't it??!!
Hit: 5 Stars
I understand that this opera may be considered to be something of an 'old chestnut' by some, but I am a newcomer, pretty much, to classical music and I like such things anyway, old chestnuts or not. The minute this set was delivered I played it simply incessantly and thought the world of it. This is still true sometime later. Because I really know nothing about classical music (and am only able to learn what I can about it and enjoy it, really, thanks to my CD player, which continues to work well, plus wherever I get my information, especially as I have so very little money), I will not try to say much more about La Boh?me, except that I continue to play it because it's beautiful, and, if you buy it, you will find it to be also. I highly recommend it, therefore.Free Music Review: Library choice for La Boh?me
Hit: 5 Stars
Of course it is, this is one of the finest opera recordings of all time. Pavarotti, Freni and Panerai were born to sing these roles and they can stand comparison with any other singer in history. Pavarotti in his prime was one of the wonders of our time, his God-given voice was a miracle, and his honesty and passion are tailor-made for Rodolfo. You may prefer Di Stefano or Bj?rling, but Luciano is their peer. The same goes for the young Mirella Freni. What a pity some years later she decided to sacrifice quality of voice for sheer power, because as heard here, her voice was a ravishing delight. Karajan conducts with italianate passion and incomparable elegance, and it hardly needs saying that no greater orchestra than the Berlin Philharmonic has ever recorded La Boh?me. You may also want to investigate Beecham's recording with Victoria de los Angeles and Jussi Bj?rling, who next to Pavarotti and Freni are one of the ideal couples on record. Maria Callas and Giuseppe Di Stefano must not be forgotten either, they sing the most passionate Third Act on any recording, and Di Stefano sings those high pianissimi like no other tenor could ever hope.Free Music Review: The role Freni was born to play
Hit: 5 Stars
This recording beats all others hands down. The orchestra is perfectly contained by Karajan (who's often criticised attention to smoothness and containment work beautifully here) and provides an excellent backing to the singers, who sing marvellously. Pavarotti is fantastic throughout and even Harwood, who I didn't think would be very good as Musetta, is excellent. However the star of the performance is Freni, who is absolutely faltless as Mimi. Her Butterfly is excellent, but her Mimi is exquisite. Given the fantastic sound quality (neglecting the extraordinarily annoying pan from left to right at the end of Act II which I put down to a fascination with Stereo gone wrong) you could not wish for a better recording.Free Music Review: Just wanted to put my two cents in...
Hit: 5 Stars
For one of my favorite recordings. This performance is flawless. As a Pavarotti fan, this is one of his best recordings, but I cannot think of a single weakness in the cast. I won't go into the details as other, more experienced opera fans have, but you will NOT be disappointed in any way with this.Free Music Review: Excellence personified
Hit: 5 Stars
Without a doubt the best recording of La Boheme ever done. The arias "Che Gelida Manina" and "O' Soave Fanciulla" will send chills down your spine.