Giacomo Puccini - La Bohème / Francesca Zambello · Tiziano Severini - M. Freni · L. Pavarotti · San Francisco Opera
In 1989 when this production was taped, Luciano Pavarotti and Mirella  Freni had already enjoyed long, distinguished careers. In other words, they were  considerably older thanLa Bohème's romantic young couple, Mimi  and Rodolfo. If you find this consideration important, it might be wise to skip  thisBohèmeand invest instead in the bright, youthful, and  energeticSydney Opera productionor the  visually striking1998 Metropolitan Opera production. So far,La Bohèmehas fared  better on DVD than any other opera, and the San FranciscoBohèmefaces serious competition.But this is a vintage production deserving attention on its own merits. As a  matter of survival, veteran singers learn how to make experience compensate for  the loss of youth, and Freni and Pavarotti are outstanding examples of how this  can be done. They are aided by a sensitive stage director, a visual treatment  responsive to the opera's changing moods, and an expert supporting cast deeply  involved with the story and the music. They fit convincingly in roles with which  they have been living for decades; both are still in good vocal condition, and  the emotions are convincingly conveyed. In the supporting cast, note the  excellent performances of Gino Quilico and Nicolai Ghiaurov.--Joe  McLellan