How's the Bernstein Boheme?
Rob Holzel
Is the La Boheme conducted by Bernstein (DG, from the 1980's) any good?
I have looked it up in some record guides but it's not mentioned, which
is worrisome.
This is the performance featuring Jerry Hadley. Any comments much
appreciated.
Thanks,
Rob
William Prien
In <514tio$n...@progress.bedford.progress.com>
reviews. I think perhaps Hadley sang well on it, but he simply isn't a
Puccini tenor. Many people didn't like Angelina Reaux as Mimi, but I
found her voice dark, interesting, and colorful. No Freni, but
interesting. For me the main drawback was the supporting cast. Barbra
Daniels offered a wobbly. squally, and out of sorts Musetta. Was she
the best they could find? Of course, Bernstein's conducting was
inspired and musical as always, and was my reason for buying this
recording.All in all, it's probably for die-hard Bernstein or Jerry
Hadley fans only.
Cheers,
William Prien
ca...@ix.netcom.com
Lawrence Eckerling
William Prien wrote:
> When this Boheme was released it got, as I recall, pretty dismal
> reviews. I think perhaps Hadley sang well on it, but he simply isn't a
> Puccini tenor. Many people didn't like Angelina Reaux as Mimi, but I
> found her voice dark, interesting, and colorful. No Freni, but
> interesting. For me the main drawback was the supporting cast. Barbra
> Daniels offered a wobbly. squally, and out of sorts Musetta. Was she
> the best they could find? Of course, Bernstein's conducting was
> inspired and musical as always, and was my reason for buying this
> recording.All in all, it's probably for die-hard Bernstein or Jerry
> Hadley fans only.
I would like to add that you will also hear things in the orchestra you
don't usually hear (and that you are supposed to hear). He brings all
of those things out. If you dont like the singers, you still will know
more about this opera after hearing it.!
Lawrence Eckerling
Lis K. Froding
In <516var$9...@dfw-ixnews3.ix.netcom.com> ca...@ix.netcom.com(William
Prien) writes:
>
>In <514tio$n...@progress.bedford.progress.com>
>hol...@bedford.progress.com (Rob Holzel) writes:
>>
>>Is the La Boheme conducted by Bernstein (DG, from the 1980's) any
>good?
>>I have looked it up in some record guides but it's not mentioned,
>which
>>is worrisome.
>>
>>This is the performance featuring Jerry Hadley. Any comments much
>>appreciated.
>>
>>Thanks,
>
>> Rob
>>
>reviews. I think perhaps Hadley sang well on it, but he simply isn't a
>Puccini tenor. Many people didn't like Angelina Reaux as Mimi, but I
>found her voice dark, interesting, and colorful. No Freni, but
>interesting. For me the main drawback was the supporting cast. Barbra
>Daniels offered a wobbly. squally, and out of sorts Musetta. Was she
>the best they could find? Of course, Bernstein's conducting was
>inspired and musical as always, and was my reason for buying this
>recording.All in all, it's probably for die-hard Bernstein or Jerry
>Hadley fans only.
>
> William Prien
> ca...@ix.netcom.com
Your comments about Barbara Daniels are interesting, since I believe
I've seen her doing the role at the Met, and she was HILARIOUS, a real
HOOT! Strange that she should be 'out of sorts' on recording.
Lis
Robert Deutsch
hol...@bedford.progress.com (Rob Holzel) wrote:
>Is the La Boheme conducted by Bernstein (DG, from the 1980's) any good?
>I have looked it up in some record guides but it's not mentioned, which
>is worrisome.
>This is the performance featuring Jerry Hadley. Any comments much
>appreciated.
>Thanks,
> Rob
In an interview that I did with Jerry Hadley that appeared in
Stereophile, he said
"Most opera recordings by major labels tend to be safe and
generic---including some of mine. Frankly, if someone asked me 'Which
recording of La Boheme should I buy?' I would tell them to buy the
Toscanini, the Beecham, the Von Karajan with Pavarotti and Freni,
before I'd tell them to buy mine."
How is that for honesty!
Bob Deutsch