La Boheme is not my second favourite Puccini opera after Tosca, but also one of my favourite operas. The story is very poignant and the music is typical Puccini, melodious and gorgeous. And I wanted to see this Met production, as they rarely disappoint in my opinion. This La Boheme is no exception.
Hosted beguilingly and intelligently by soprano Renee Fleming, this is a truly wonderful La Boheme. Beautifully played by the orchestra and sensitively conducted, on a musical front I can't fault this production. Nor can I visually. The sets are huge and just lovely, and the costumes while never fluttery are very sumptuous, particularly Musetta's.
The video directing, lighting and sound are all top notch quality. The chorus throughout act 2 and the beginning of act 3 are balanced and sung nicely. The performances are excellent too. Angela Gheorghiu, although her act 1 entrance could have been a little less seductive, is a very touching Mimi. She looks the part of the consumptive seamstress, and sings with a husky yet very dark and beautiful tone. Her Si Mi Chiamano Mimi and Donde Lieta Usci are sung with real sensitivity and felt genuinely from the heart.
Ramon Vargas is a Rodolfo that is sensitive, ardent, subtle and intense. He sings with real musicality and sweetness, and I loved his delicate high note during Che Gelida Manina. His chemistry with Gheorghiu is also most notable. Ainhoa Arteta is a witty and delightful Musetta, with her Quando M'en Vo really making me smile, and apart from the end of act 1, the quartet and final scene, I find her change of heart from seductive and outspoken to humble one of the most touching parts of La Boheme.
Ludovic Tezier is powerful as Marcello. He has a strong voice and not too stolid in the acting either. He reacts well to Musetta during La Commedia Stupenda...Quando M'en Vo, his scene with Mimi is stunning on both his and Gheorghiu's part, the act 3 quartet is enough to break the heart and Vargas and Tezier sing wonderfully together during In Un Coupe...O Mimi Tu Non Piu Torni, yet another affecting part of the opera.
Schunard and Colline are sung and acted very well done, Colline's Vecchio Zimmara is very intelligently phrased. I also want to mention Paul Plishka, who is excellent as both Benoit and Alcindoro and one of the best for me in either role vocally too. The final scene is as it should be, absolutely heart-rending, the death itself is beautifully done and Vargas's Mimis sound genuine and not too strained.
In conclusion, wonderful. 10/10 Bethany Cox