LA Boheme (The Black Dog Opera Library)

Rating:
Summary: This book has caused me to fall in love with opera.
Review: Having found opera intimidating I was looking for something to help me understand and appreciate the genre. This book exceeded all expectations. I intend to acquire the entire series.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Book with Fine Recording
Review: I bought this book and CD set a few years ago to learn the opera LA BOHEME. The beautifully illustrated book includes a history of the opera and of Puccini's career, a clearly printed libretto in Italian and English, and information on the conductor and the principal singers. The recording is a fine one, dominated by the partnership of Nicolai Gedda and Mirella Freni as Rodolfo and Mimi. Gedda has a firm, pure tenor and a delightful sense of humor too often missing from portrayals of Rodolfo. I also like his sad sigh in the last act just before Mimi dies: it's a refreshing change from the outright weeping usually heard at this point in the opera. Freni lights up the performance with her luminous, youthful lyric soprano. The supporting cast are all-Italian and make a good team, and Maestro Thomas Schippers paces the opera nicely. This book and CD set is a wonderful bargain for anyone wanting to learn LA BOHEME. Check out the other Black Dog Opera Library sets, too.

Rating:
Summary: Well-balanced and vividly theatrical "Boheme"
Review: Looking for a good, moderately priced recording of "Boheme"? This is it. Schipper's conducts a delightfully theatrical performance. The young Freni is ideal: fresh and touching as Mimi should be. Gedda has a lighter, more youthful sound than Pavarotti or Bjoerling, and makes an excellent match for Freni. Good stereo sound. Excellent supporting cast: Sereni a charming, youthful Marcello. Other sets have great casts and great conductors (and you may want to augment your collection with Beecham's classic recording and Kleiber's live La Scala performance, but this one is a perfect introductory "Boheme", with its user-friendly book and libretto. Beautiful.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Book with Fine Recording
Review: Looking for a good, moderately priced recording of "Boheme"? This is it. Schipper's conducts a delightfully theatrical performance. The young Freni is ideal: fresh and touching as Mimi should be. Gedda has a lighter, more youthful sound than Pavarotti or Bjoerling, and makes an excellent match for Freni. Good stereo sound. Excellent supporting cast: Sereni a charming, youthful Marcello. Other sets have great casts and great conductors (and you may want to augment your collection with Beecham's classic recording and Kleiber's live La Scala performance, but this one is a perfect introductory "Boheme", with its user-friendly book and libretto. Beautiful.

Rating:
Summary: Well-balanced and vividly theatrical "Boheme"
Review: Looking for a good, moderately priced recording of "Boheme"? This is it. Schipper's conducts a delightfully theatrical performance. The young Freni is ideal: fresh and touching as Mimi should be. Gedda has a lighter, more youthful sound than Pavarotti or Bjoerling, and makes an excellent match for Freni. Good stereo sound. Excellent supporting cast: Sereni a charming, youthful Marcello. Other sets have great casts and great conductors (and you may want to augment your collection with Beecham's classic recording and Kleiber's live La Scala performance, but this one is a perfect introductory "Boheme", with its user-friendly book and libretto. Beautiful.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Package for Opera Beginners and Aficionados
Review: See my review under "Die Zauberflote"