Not the best version of La Boheme, a tough one since there are some truly great ones available on DVD(it is between the Freni, Scotto, Cotrubas and Stratas productions, as of now Freni's gets the edge), but still a winner all round. The chorus in Act 2 are too blocky and cramped- actually not that uncommon a problem regarding La Boheme- and the additional stage business during the Act 3 duet and quartet was unnecessary in parts of the opera that are very suggestive of intimacy. A vast majority of Giancarlo De Monaco's directing is imaginative(especially in Act 2) with a very cinematic touch while not forgetting for a minute the heart and emotion of the opera. All the major arias and the ending are incredibly moving as they should while the singers have plenty of space to really feel and let out what the characters are feeling(Inva Mula is particularly great at this). The costumes and sets are sumptuous in period detail and colourful, the backdrop at the end beautifully designed, and the lighting is very clever and sometimes almost noir-ish. The video directing and editing as well as the sound are superb, one of the best shot La Bohemes on DVD and one of the most cinematic-looking and visually striking of any opera production seen recently by me.
Musically, there is next to nothing that came across as wrong. The orchestra play with such ravishing tone and elegant line as well as real poetry and nuance. The chorus sing in an animated and well-balanced way(it is a shame about dramatically chaotic they looked) and Jesus Lopez-Cobos' conducting is incredibly attentive to the singers with perfectly pitched pacing, letting the emotion breathe while still keeping the drama and music moving. Inva Mula is splendid as Mimi, you really feel Mimi's tragedy and you genuinely care for her while her singing has power but has real sensitivity and lyricism and it has a beautiful, heart-wrenching tone. Aquilles Machado sings with such ring and strength and is ardent and passionate, the most involved I've seen him act. His chemistry with Mula and everybody else has a lot of conviction.
Fabio Maria Capitanucci's Marcello is powerful yet sympathetic, with robust yet subtle singing. While Laura Giordano is one of the most youthful Musettas and loses none of the character's wit or seductive charm and her later more humble change of heart, her singing is bright and agile if not large in size. David Menéndez is one of the most entertainingly physical Schaunard and every bit as vocally robust, Felipe Bou is a noble and wholly likable Colline and sings Vecchio Zimarra with sensitive line and pathos and Alcindoro and Benoit are typically characterful. To conclude, a winner all round apart from a couple of staging oddities, performed superbly, very emotional, sumptuous and imaginative with a wonderful cinematic touch. 9/10 Bethany Cox
