Puccini: La Boheme [New York -- March 17, 1951: Bidu Sayao, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Lois Hunt, Giuseppe Valdengo, Cesare Siepi; Fausto Cleva]
On Great Opera Performances 66312; 2 CD's; Here is the wonderful Bidu Sayao as a fragile, gentle Mimi, and the stunning, youthful Giuseppe Di Stefano as an ardent, passionate Rodolfo. This shows why they (and especially Di Stefano) were so highly regarded!! Siepi is a rich Colline, and Valdengo and Hunt a fine "second couple!!" Paul Jackson writes of this wonderful performance that "the interplay of the jesting bohemians is uncommonly vibrant and natural. [They] own not only high spirits and verbal virtuosity, but voices that melt the heart. Not since Pinza's Colline ... have audiences heard such imposing philosophic pronouncements as Siepi delivers [which] warm the ear. Valdengo has the ideal Marcello voice, distinctive of timbre [and] sizeable enough for potency. Lois Hunt is a Musetta outside the norm - her voice is pleasant and her manner does not offend. What a lyrical companion Di Stefano is, bursting with self-confidence, spending his capital with generosity. On this afternoon, Di Stefano simply has everything. His top voice is vibrant, the high C easily gained and long held. Di Stefano's musicianship is sound, and his theatrical craft astute. Sayao offers abundant tone [and is] adorable, exposing all of Mimi's heart-rending charm in splendid arcs of full, round tone. She is in splendid voice, her poised, plangent tones crystal clear [and her singing] is magical in its musical subtlety and theatrical craft. Many a prima donna professed to retire at the top of her form, but Sayao was among those who did." This performance belongs in every collection.