A great live recording of one of Giacomo Puccini's masterpieces (his opera "La boheme"), featuring a starry cast: Mirella Freni, Jose' Carreras, Rolando Panerai, Paolo Washington, Renate Holm, and the inspired baton of Herbert von Karajan at Wiener Staatsoper (1977)! Another real gem and treasure from our friend Andy at Opera Depot! Thank you ever so much, dear Andy!

Most of us have heard Karajan's famous studio recording with Freni and Pavarotti. It is a lovely performance, if a little studio bound (and missing sound effects: one doesn't hear Mimi knocking on the door in the first act). This one has Freni and a young Spanish tenor named Carreras and they are terrific together. In 1977 the bloom had not eroded from Carreras' tone and his passionate singing is heavenly. He makes the end of the opera more touching by not indulging in histrionic sobs. He transposes the big aria a half-step down, but sings the written ending of "O soave fanciulla", allowing Freni to get off a great high C which she holds forever and diminuendos. She sings with some darker colors than in previous performances and is a truly lovely Mimi.Renate Holm sings Musetta with all the charm and grace one would expect of such a singer. She and Panerai play off each other well and make the "seconda" couple just as interesting as Rodolfo and Mimi. Maffeo is a first-rate Schaunard; Washington breaks our hearts with his simply sung, sincere Coat aria. Karajan sounds more flexible here than in the studio. He asserts himself without attempting to take over.The sound is good, the voices slightly recessed, but never drowned out by the orchestra. If you love Boheme or any of the singers, you should get this.

The sound compromise the performance that would be excellent

Bohème with Freni Carreras and Karajan, What else ???