Product Description

Giacomo Puccini's immortal opera is brought to life in a new, specially filmed, big budget feature-film version directed by Academy Award nominee Robert Dornhelm (The Children of Theatre Street), produced by Jan Mojto's Unitel, one of the largest producers of audiovisual classical music films in the world, and starring the opera world's ''dream team'', soprano Anna Netrebko and tenor Rolando Villazon. Features two of opera's biggest superstars, Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazón, in the roles they have performed to live audiences all over the world. Comprehensive and successful commercial run in cinemas, screening in all major towns and cities across the UK and Ireland, and opening in London's Barbican Centre and Apollo West End to outstanding figures. Exclusive DVD bonus features, including in-depth interviews with stars Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon and director Robert Dornhelm, behind-the-scenes of La Bohème, limited edition collector's booklet and more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1850 in DVD
• Released on: 2009-03-02
• Rating: Exempt
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Classical, PAL
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 100 minutes

Synopsis
A film inspired by Giacomo Puccini's masterpiece, LA BOHEME-THE FILM was directed by Academy Award nominee Robert Dornhelm and features soprano Anna Netrebko and tenor Rolando Villazon.

Review
''Succulently dramatic... a tribute to the stars' power'' --The Times

Review
''breathtakingly dramatic and emotional... full to the brim with some of the best vocal talents of today'' --Opera Now

Customer Reviews

Does exactly what it says on the packaging
A sumptuous, syrupy film version of one of the greatest masterpieces of Italian opera that doesn't disappoint providing one accepts at face value that this is a different experience to a live stage recording. And in many respects this Boheme is all the better for it in that you still get all the theatricality and drama of opera with the blatant artificiality of, it must be said, a certain type of slightly old fashioned filmmaking that doesn't indulge in excessive special effects or other technical trickery. The excellent bonus features include fascinating interviews with all the key performers and the director, who confirms that he not only wanted to remain steadfastly faithful to Puccini's design but also document two of the leading singers of the modern age rather than embarking on some kind of trendy contemporary recreation. In the main, it must be said he has rather wisely chosen the right path because this is a warm and thoroughly enjoyable experience, richly designed and wonderfully orchestrated. Above all else, though, it's a showcase for the rare talents of Netrebko and Villazon who impress in delightful and sometimes unexpected ways and, therefore, essential viewing for anyone interested in their careers. Very enjoyable - lovely stuff.

So much to admire
Three generations of our family (all female) watched this La Boheme "a stage in artistic life" and just loved it. (It looked amazing on a TV with a 37" screen and good sound quality, I wish I could have seen it at the Cinema but it was not widely distributed). We were all impressed by Rolando Villazon's charming latin looks, his renowned acting ability and his fabulous voice. Rolando Villazon describes his character as a 'late adolescent' and so his face and body portray a youthful mobility and the touching burden of guilt at the poverty of his life with Mimi ("I do not judge him" says Villazon of his character). Anna Netrebko is the meltingly beautiful Mimi whose longing for life and love is at the heart of the story. There are minor flaws, such as the rather garishly attired Musette of whom we expect 'elegance'(this is when we first see her - but perhaps this is intended to refer to the gaudy Parisian nightlife as depicted by Toulouse-Lautrec) and the sound mix which sometimes slightly varies but these hardly detract from the emotional impact of the performances which draw you in. The supporting cast is superb. The director says he wanted it to look 'gritty' and the in the DVD extra he explains his choices in an interesting way. Some scenes are exquisitely beautiful and memorable such as the scene in the snow where they cannot say goodbye and the one where we hear the dying Mimi's 'thoughts' sung to her beloved while they gaze at each other. Outstanding, one to treasure.

Fantastic opera movie

This is a filmed version of La Boheme (made in studios in Vienna). It is perhaps not as good as some of the other filmed opera movies I have seen, but still well worth the money I spent on it. At times, lips and singing are somewhat out of sync, which does not bother me (but I know some people do not like it). The directing could be a bit more innovative. Despite being a film it does not always exploit the potential of the medium to its fullest. In this particular version I have, there are no Italian subtitles, which is a shame. The English subtitles are not complete, I feel, but sufficient to follow the plot.

Netrebko is of course a beautiful Mimi and has a fantastic voice. While she and Villazon make a great couple on screen they are not as convincing as they could be (and as singers in older opera movies have been (Freni, Domingo (see for example Tosca - Puccini [1976] [DVD] [NTSC],Otello [DVD]))).

If compared to the other big film version of Boheme (Puccini - La Boheme [DVD] [1965]), I find them equally good. My wife prefers this one.

Altogether, I can only recommend this DVD to everybody who loves opera movies or indeed opera. 5 stars from me!