Puccini - La Bohème feat

Puccini - Pavarotti · Freni · Ghiaurov · Harwood · Panerai· Maffeo · Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra · Herbert von Karajan – La Bohème Label: Decca – SET 565/66, Decca – SET 565-6 Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Stereo, 180 gram Box Set, Stereo Country Germany Released: 2000 Box with three lp's and a 80-page booklet with extensive notes and the full libretto in Italian with translations into English, French, and German. Box: NM / Vinyl: NM Numerous recordings of Giacomo Puccini’s fourth opera La Bohème are available. But there is just one which is truly exceptional and which fully justifies being dubbed a true work of reference: the present set recorded by Decca in 1972. Indeed, this album has not only been called the best Bohème recording, but even the very best opera recording ever! And why? For one, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra was at that time a world-class ensemble in every sense of the word and they were conducted by the inspiring Herbert von Karajan, a man who managed to extract every ounce of feeling from his musicians without a trace of exaggerated sentimentality, providing tailormade support fort he vocal soloists, while taking the dynamic and emotional extremes of the score to their limits. The stage presence of this recording is so direct and vivid that it is hard to believe that one is not experiencing a live recording. Mirella Freni and Luciano Pavarotti, two singers with whom Karajan worked together over many years, are the very incarnation of Mimi and Rodolfo. And in view of all this, any little flaw in this musical chain of pearls could well be forgiven – but one searches in vain for something to criticise. In short: although this recording really doesn’t need any recommendation, it should be given a hearing just to confirm its truly exceptional status. Originally released as 'Decca Stereo SET 565-6'. Recording: October 1971 at Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin-Dahlem by Gordon Parry, James Lock, and Colin Moorfoot. Production: Ray Minshull and James Mallinson. Date of release: November 2000. Speakers Corner Records, Germany.

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