Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924)
La Bohème
Mimi – Hibla Gerzmava
Rodolfo – Teodor Illincai
Musetta – Inna Dukach
Marcello – Gabriele Viviani
Colline – Kostas Smorginias
Schaunard – Jacques Imbrailo
Benoit - Jeremy White
Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden/Andris Nelsons
John Copley (director)
rec. live, Royal Opera House, December 2009
Region Code: 0; Aspect Ratio 16:9; LPCM Stereo; DTS 5.1 Surround
OPUS ARTE OA1027D [121:00]
This release is a delight, a relay from Covent Garden which was, as far as
I’m aware, broadcast live into cinemas last December. It features their current
production which has been doing the rounds since the early 1970s, here revived
by the original director himself. Copley’s production is traditional and beautiful,
its chief concern being to tell the story directly. In December 2009 some
criticised it for looking a little worn and shabby. Don’t believe a word of
it! In the close-up of the screen it looks neat, fresh and as good as new,
every piece of furniture and inch of set design serving the purpose of the
drama nicely. The garret is well designed on two levels so that the most intimate
action takes place closest to the audience, away from the busyness of the
entries and exits. The Barrière d’Enfer looks beautiful with its warm looking
tavern and gently falling snow. The Cafe Momus is uncrowded and easy on the
eye, though the action in the street outside seems rather cramped. Costumes
and sets place us firmly in Paris in the 1830s and there is nothing to detract
from the basic narrative. Some might find this unimaginative, but there is
a lot to be said for telling a story well and this is certainly one production
(or, by extension, DVD) to which I would happily take a newcomer to opera.
The cast of singers are all young up-and-comings, but they are all the better
for that. Bohème is all about the energy of youth and the excitement
of young love, and this cast all look the part as well as sounding great.
Hibla Gerzmava is a lovely Mimi, lyrical and vulnerable with a very beautiful
voice: she is at her best during the parting duet of Act 3. Teodor Illincai
is a very fine Rodolfo with a great ring to his voice and lots of youthful
ardour. Strangely, though, Che gelida manina is probably the weakest
point of his performance as he attacks from below the note – a shame as the
top of his voice is thrilling. Inna Dukach is a characterful Musetta, her
bright, slightly sharp soprano contrasting well with Gerzmava’s. Viviani is
a warm, likeable Marcello, powerful in Acts 2 and 3 and very moving in the
duet at the start of Act 4. Kostas Smorginias is of rather pale voice until
the Raincoat aria which he sings with strength, and Jacques Imbrailo’s Schaunard
is lovely of presence and voice. Benoit and Alcindoro are acted well by two
stalwarts who love every minute of it.
Like his cast, conductor Andris Nelsons brings youth, vigour and energy to
this ever-young score. The pulse of the first Act is infectious and the great
crashes that begin and end Act 3 are razor-sharp. The orchestra play this
most familiar of scores as if it were the only performance they would ever
give, enthusiasm and virtuosity coming through in every bar. They are helped
in this by production values of the highest order: the DTS sound, in particular,
is outstandingly clear and well-separated without drawing attention to itself.
The picture is also crystal-clear and the camera-work is effective and entirely
non-intrusive.
Opus Arte’s usual high standards are maintained in the presentation and title
menus, and there are brief interviews with Nelsons and Copley about the production.
There are many Bohèmes available on DVD, but this one is as recommendable
as any, and it feels good to be able to say this about such a home-grown product.
Covent Garden have kept this production for so long because it works so well,
and I think that anyone with this DVD in their collection would feel the same
way.
Simon Thompson
There are many Bohèmes available on DVD, but this one is as recommendable
as any