Puccini:
- La Bohème
I often come very close to crying during the final scene of this opera masterpiece.
This is a great recording of the famous opera, with casting of Angela Gheorghiu and Ramon Vargas in the principal roles. Everyone in this line up is gifted with enormous talent, rich voice and fine musicality. The conductor is Nicolla Luisotti, who knows his Puccini, and one who knows how to accommodate his singers’ ideas without sacrificing the integrity of the music.
The performers are:
Angela Gheorghiu (Mimi), Ramón Vargas (Rodolfo), Ludovic Tézier (Marcello), Ainhoa Arteta (Musetta), Oren Gradus (Colline), Quinn Kelsey (Schaunard), Paul Plishka (Benoit/Alcindoro), Meredith Derr (Parpignol), Robert Maher (Sergente dei doganieri), Richard Pearson (Un doganiere)
Supported by The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Nicola Luisotti
La Bohème, set in Paris around 1830, depicts a society in the midst of conflict. Amid the turmoil, it is the love that blossoms between two young artists in a time that appears both bleak and turbulent that makes this story so very special.
The roles of Mimì and Rodolfo, sung by Angela Gheorghiu and Ramón Vargas respectively, charm us as the young couple that fall in love; while Marcello and Musetta are sung by Ludovic Tezier and Ainhoa Arteta. Gheorghiu sings the role of Mimì. She sings the role with the beauty and perfection that is expected by an artist of her great stature and experience.
Here is Angela Gheorghiu in “Si mi chiamano Mimi” from La Bohème by Puccini:
And next, here are Luciano Pavarotti and Angela Gheorghiu in La Boheme: “O soave fanciulla” (2001)
Tags: La Boheme, Angela Gheorghiu, Nicola Luisotti, Metropolitan Opera