Puccini: La Bohème [Blu-ray]

This is a first rate version of everyone's favorite opera with excellent performances by all of the cast, especially Netrebko. Beczala might not make listeners forget Pavarotti or Bjorling, but he is very, very good and a fine partner for Netrebko.Their performances of the two big arias in the first act are beautiful, and their duet "O soave fanciulla" captures Puccini's romantic vision in all of its glory. The staging is contemporary Paris, and for me it contributes to the enjoyment of the opera.. I like this version even better than the Met production with Gheorghiu and Vargas, although the singing is terrific in both productions. I am frequently put off by updated or otherwise unusual staging that undercuts the singing, but when it works, it works. And it works here. Highly recommended.

Normally I do not like operas "modernized" (this one to 2012), but this version works. There are some problems in this updating -- for instance, in the subtitles. The great Russian soprano Anna Netrebko does not have "blue eyes" and Nino Machaidze, who plays Musetta, does not have "dark eyes". Why not switch these colors so they match the actual eye colors? Plenty of other changes have been made, both in the subtitles and in the staging of the opera. Nitpicks aside, this is a wonderful treat; Netrebko and Polish tenor Piotr Beczala are excellent, the rest of the cast very good, the second act is very colorful, and the ending when Mimi dies is heart-rending. I have three other versions of this opera, including the outstanding cinematic production of 2008 starring Netrebko and Villazon. This one is a worthy addition.

I will simply comment on the current two reviews. I have no problem with Netrebko's performance. In fact, I was swept away by her earlier performance under de Billy, who pushed the production with a contagious urgency. To some extent I miss that vitality in this current version, but in listening to Gatti's conducting I am impressed by the way he brings out the lyric aspects of the score--and this is a very lyric opera. I am frequently struck by the shear beauty of the music, perhaps more often than when listening to De Billy. I just listen, and so never bother to watch these Blu-ray operas, so I can't say anything about what is going on outside of the singer's mouths.

Brilliantly staged and sung. Salzburg has the confidence to try contemporary staging of the classics and I found their 2012 Boheme profoundly moving because it evoked feelings from contemporary events. You no longer had that emotional distance of the 1800s to rely on. Tastes differ to be sure, but the timeless music and story reimagined into today really gives you another facet through which to peer into this beauty.

The music and singing was great. Anna Netrebko was fantastic. I really missed having subtitles, however. The arias are lovely, but when I can't follow the dialogue something is missing.

I really loved it.I have about five versions of La Boheme and found this a nice change in the presentation.The setting and use of modern day venues working .The singing of course is where it all hapoens and with Anna Netrebko as Mimi how could one go wrong.If you are as I am a fan of Puccini and Netrebko then I say buy it.This the type of change Callas said needed to be done to productions so it isn't just he same old production over and over again.

ok Netrebko is amazing. ho hum. no kidding she is terrific in the role of Mimi.

Singing was of course great acting tremendous take off one star for the following the rent like costumes just didn't work for me . And the toymaker flying around the stage like radarman was just plain silly