Giacomo Puccini, Elizabeth Harwood, Nicolai Ghiaurov, Rolando Panerai - Puccini - La BohA¨me / Freni, Pavarotti, Harwood, Berlin Phil., Karajan [Highlights]

These excerpts were taken from the recording that has established itself as the standard by which all others should be measured. Herbert von Karajan's orchestra is no less than perfect, as much a virtuosic performer as the singers, evoking each moment's unique mood. Can there be any doubt that Luciano Pavarotti and Mirella Freni were born to sing Puccini? Their sweet, creamy voices splendidly blend, creating a complete aural portrait of the bohemians' souls. Elizabeth Harwood is a wonderfully high-strung Musetta, with the vocal talent to support her many moods. After hearing these highlights, you won't be able to resist the whole set, which is the greatest recording ever of the world's most beloved opera. --Barbara Eisner Bayer Amazon.com essential recording

Beauatiful music

you don't have to be an opera lover to love this album. Pavarotti 's golden voice is at its best in this recording of Puccini's wonderful opera.
I listen to this CD constantly and never tire of it. If you are hoping to convert someone to an opera fan, this is the recording to do it. September 11, 2008

LaBoheme

I not only purchased this as a gift, but picked up one for myself. It's one of the best operas around. January 1, 2008

One of the best recordings ever of a magnificent voice that will be missed. Thanks Mr Pavarotti!

I am writing this review a few days after the death of Luciano Pavarotti. Even if I do not know music, I like opera, and I love Puccini. This recording is one of the most beautiful I ever heard, and will make it clear, if ever there was any doubt, that we just lost one of the most outstanding artists of the 20th century.

Forget about his incursions in pop music, forget about his late years marriage with a younger woman and forget about his frequent cancellations and all that. Just listen to "Che gelida manina" in this recording and weep... Mirella Freni is an amazing co-star, and her Mimi' is as superb as Pavarotti's Rodolfo. Everyone in this recording is superb. Here you will truly hear Pavarotti at his peak. Nothing less than magical. Indeed the full production is well worth its price, and if you can my recommendation is to purchase that rather than this (still beautiful) abridgment.

For another outstanding recording of the best Pavarotti, try the Turandot from the same label, directed by Mehta, and with an amazing Caballe' in the role of Liu'. Then, you will hear the most memorable "Nessun dorma" you will ever hear.

Thanks Mr Pavarotti for having made this world a better place. September 8, 2007

Opera

I ordered this after I heard Paul Potts perform a song from this opera on "Britain's Got Talent". He won, by the way, performing it beautifully. July 7, 2007

Best All-Around Boheme

Karajan's 1973 stereo version is the best all-around Boheme available. It stars his favorite soprano, Mirella Freni, and a young Luciano Pavarotti at his peak (unlike his post-climatic self these last decades). There is no faulting this version and an ideal way to explore Puccini and Italian opera generally. April 11, 2007

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