La Boheme ( 1988 )

Overview

Giacomo Puccini's bittersweet opera of high-spirited bohemians and the doomed love between Rodolfo, the idealistic poet and Mimi, the consumptive flower-maker, is a beautifully balanced series of tableaux depicting the infectious joie de vivre of youth and the tragic waste of disease and separation. The legendary and incomparable partnership of Mirella Freni and Luciano Pavarotti as the two lovers has been captured in this special live recording from stage of the San Francisco Opera. Brian Large has adapted Francesca Zambello's production for video, further illuminating the fascinating interaction of Puccini's characters. Gino Quilico sings Marcello, the colorful and moody painter, whose tempestuous relationship with the flirtatious Musetta (sung by Sandra Pacetti), comically mirrors the more profound love of Rodolfo and Mimi. Nicolai Ghiaurov sings Colline.

Top Cast

Tiziano Severini

Self - Conductor

Mirella Freni

Mimì

Luciano Pavarotti

Rodolfo

Gino Quilico

Marcello

Nicolai Ghiaurov

Colline

Stephen Dickson

Italo Tajo

Orchestra of the San Francisco Opera House

Self - Orchestra

Chorus of the San Francisco Opera House

Self - Chorus

Giacomo Puccini

Self - Composer