La Bohème (1982)

	Don D.

0 out of  0  people found this review helpful

An absolutely wonderful and sensitive performance. The production is pure Zefferelli, of course, but it's amazing at how much intimacy he achieves with the mammoth sets. Stratas and Carreras are the two best looking singers yet for these parts and their facial expressions are truly reflective of their inner feelings. Anyone who thinks this opera is tuneless is not only tone deaf but wouldn't hear a melody if it fell on him or her.

Was this review helpful? Yes   |   No

	Sally N.

0 out of  1  people found this review helpful

Looking at this movie, you wonder why opera is still popular. Puccini's "Aida" is a much better choice for music. The music in this is nearly "tuneless." I agree with the other reviewer that the production is flat and Stratas and Scotto casting very strange. Stratas looks funny so that's hard to take, although Carrera's was pretty good. But the amount of oversinging during nonimportant moments which is dictated by the music is simply ridiculous. You almost feel embarrassed for them. Skip this opera and see Stratas in "La Traviata" or see "Aida" or Madame Butterfly. The half star reflects the sets, which were great!

Was this review helpful? Yes   |   No

	Paul G.

0 out of  1  people found this review helpful

Too old to be playing 20 somethings. This was a cast of heavyweights, but it was sort of flat. An immense amount of money had to be thrown into this lavish production, but it did not make up for some inherent problems. I know that the Mimi character was sick, but 'make-up' went overboard making Theresa Statas, (normally good-looking) ready to play the gypsy in Il Trovatore. The premise that Rodolfo fell in love with her eyes is quite a lot to swallow. The cast (including an aging Carreras) wasn't enough to save it. Some people have claimed to love it, but I would recommend you see the Australian Opera version first. I have not yet seen the Pavarotti version.

Was this review helpful? Yes   |   No