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Certain singers will always be associated with a particular role, and for Mirella Freni this is Mimi in Puccini's La bohème.
Although her much later recording on DVD from San Francisco with co-star Luciano Pavarotti has the special atmosphere of a live performance, her voice was never in such sublime condition as it is here, in Deutsche Grammophon's admirable film of Franco Zeffirelli's production from La Scala.
The Italian director-producer's classic sets were used, but with Zeffirelli behind the camera, this was no ordinary film of an opera performance. The sense of the theatre is almost completely eradicated, replaced by a vibrant cinematic approach. Especially successful is the Café Momus scene, whose umbrellas and mass ensemble could almost have been filmed in the open air. Perhaps the snow in the third act is a little two-dimensional, but otherwise this is a superb production.
The only negative aspect is the dubbing of the singers, who do not compensate for the physical effort that singing requires. At times, it is disconcerting to see one's favourite arias mimed almost as if by puppets. Nevertheless, it is the only distracting aspect of this highly recommended film.
It need hardly be said that Freni is a dream as Mimi. Vulnerable, frail, beautiful; she looks perfect and sings delightfully. The death scene has particular pathos, done with admirable restraint.
Her Rodolfo is the excellent Italian tenor Gianni Raimondi, much underrated and today relatively unknown. On the basis of this performance, one wonders why. He brings the early scenes to life as few singers do, sings the aria and duet in Act 1 with genuine romance, and brings complexity to the characterisation in the third and fourth acts. Don't miss this opportunity to be reminded of a great voice from the past.
His friend Marcello is sung by the youthful Rolando Panerai, then in lyrical voice and playful mood. He breathes life into the character by relatively simple means, namely understated but knowing acting with his face. His lover Musetta is played by Adriana Martino, another fine singer whose acting is one of the cornerstones of the set.
The La Scala Orchestra and Chorus sound wonderful under the inspired direction of Herbert von Karajan, then at his most energetic. The opera flashes by quickly, thanks to Karajan's careful pacing and this wonderful cast. Were it not for the dubbing, the DVD would gain 5 stars, though it's still highly recommended.
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