«Not quite great»

I had enthusiastically looked forward to this live HD transmission and attended the performance at a local movie theatre. While there is much to enjoy in this version, the shortcomings left me with an overall lukewarm impression.

A big disappointment for me was the transposition of Rudolfo's famous aria, Che gelida manina, down a half step so that it peaks at a high B instead of a C. This is as good of a place as any to explain why I think transposition in a piece such as La Boheme just does not work. Puccini used an almost "through-composed" style in his operas (following the lead of Wagner), which means all of the musical moments are seamlessly attached. Key transitions, of course, are essential for the piece to come off as a unified whole. When one section is changed, as is the case here, the whole scene suffers. Even my brother, an avid Boheme fan but almost totally unschooled musically, remarked to me, "Something doesn't sound right." Of course it doesn't. It's not that I'm in love with high notes; it's the tonal flow that matters to me. What surprises me is that any conductor would go along with this common practice to accommodate the tenor. Also consider that this was a highly publicized live production seen all over the world and destined for immortality on DVD. Surely Ramon Vargas, a fine singer, could handle the higher tessitura for just one afternoon!

Another gripe is the casting of two cameo roles, Benoit and Alcindoro, with the same bass, Paul Plishka. Sure, this would be fine in any other production, but here, with close-ups galore, it just looks cheap.

Angela Gheorghiu stills delivers all her trademark vocal goods, which are nicely suited to her vulnerable and believable Mimi, but alas, her age is starting to show and the camera is not always friendly.

I was most impressed with Frenchman Ludivoc Tezier as Marcello. Ironically, in this unmistakably Italian work, he offers an authentic Parisian flair with a deep portrayal of the beloved painter.

All in all, these HD recordings are a treat, and I would not discount even this one. When I watch it, I think "If only..." So close, and yet so far.

[Sunday, November 09, 2008]

«An excellent La Boheme»

This is another filming of Zeffirelli's well-known La Boheme production, but it still looks fabulous. I loved what conductor Luisotti is doing with the orchestra, and it is good to have a recording of Gheorghiu singing Mimi, while her voice is still in good shape. Ramon Vargas is a good Rodolfo and baritone Ludovic Tezier is excellent as Marcello.

Highly recommended!

[Thursday, October 16, 2008]

«Beautiful in HD...»

I saw this at the local cineplex in HD. These are wonderful events for those of us far from New York. We were thrilled by the performance. This is the same production (different singers) as the Pioneer DVD which has been available for a long time.

When THIS "event" is available in Blu-Ray...I'll buy it.

PS: And I already have the earlier DVD of the Zeffirelli production.

[Tuesday, October 14, 2008]

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