Search - Rome Opera House Orchestra and Chorus, Marie Costa, Adelio Zagonara :: La Boheme

La Boheme
Rome Opera House Orchestra and Chorus, Marie Costa, Adelio Zagonara
La Boheme
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (20) - Disc #1
  •  Track Listings (17) - Disc #2

In its day--the early 1960s--this Bohème recording ruled. Now, its appeal lies mainly in two disparate listening camps: Anna Moffo fans and audiophiles. As the sickly flower maker Mimi, Moffo is at her vocal peak and ...  more »

     
   

CD Details

All Artists: Rome Opera House Orchestra and Chorus, Marie Costa, Adelio Zagonara
Title: La Boheme
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 1
Label: RCA
Release Date: 10/25/1990
Genre: Classical
Style: Opera & Classical Vocal
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaCD Credits: 2
UPC: 078635396928

Synopsis

Amazon.com
In its day--the early 1960s--this Bohème recording ruled. Now, its appeal lies mainly in two disparate listening camps: Anna Moffo fans and audiophiles. As the sickly flower maker Mimi, Moffo is at her vocal peak and producer Richard Mohr came up with an atmospheric production that remains one of the best Living Stereo efforts in the opera repertoire. The rest is oddly dated. Richard Tucker sounds strangely hoarse and throaty; long known as the king of sobs, he really blubbers through the final scene. Robert Merrill's Marcello ought to be ideal but while being vocally sumptuous, it's dramatically underplayed. Mary Costa is the unexceptional Musetta. Though known for German repertoire, conductor Erich Leinsdorf gives Puccini's score elegance. --David Patrick Stearns
 

CD Reviews

A good buy
Dr. Fartmeister | Vancouver BC | 01/21/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)

"This La Boheme does not disappoint, although it does not particularly impress either. Richard Tucker's portrayal of Rodolfo is rather good, although he doesn't quite compare to Jussi Bjoerling. Some passages sound a little nasal, but his tone overall is good. Robert Merrill's Marcello is one of the highlights of the recording, as is Giorgio Tozzi's singing of "Vecchia Zimarra." Mary Costa's Musetta is rather good also. It's a relief to hear her pay attention to the written dynamics in "Quando m'en vo" and hit the high B's with great precision and control....unlike some sopranos (*cough* Eva Mei *cough*).I've always sorta been partial to Leinsdorf so my opinion of the conducting is a little biased, but the orchestra is sounding particularly good.Overall, it's a good buy, worth adding to your collection."