[.ca] Puccini - La Boheme / Baz Luhrmann, The Australian Opera ...

From Amazon.com:
It might be possible to know this La Bohème and not love it, but I have never met anyone who felt that way. "Oh yes," said a friend, "that's the good one where everybody is the right age." The youth and freshness of the singers are, in fact, major assets in this production. Youthful high spirits and vulnerability are delicately portrayed, with sharp contrasts between the Parisian bohemians' abject poverty and their carefree lifestyle. On DVD, La Bohème is the work where the competition is strongest. Solid arguments can be made for the staging of the Metropolitan Opera production or the vocal quality of the San Francisco production, but the Australian Opera offers the closest identification of performers with the characters they represent. The effect is usually touching, sometimes downright electrifying. For this production, the story is moved up to Paris in the 1950s. A veneer of existentialism, a sense of the absurd, can be detected in the young men's lifestyle, but the implicit message is that, even with electricity (e.g., a massive neon sign celebrating "L'Amour"), bohemian life in the 1950s was essentially unchanged from the 1830s. There are good performances throughout, particularly by David Hobson (Rodolfo) and Cheryl Barker (Mimi), and the direction of Baz Luhrmann (Strictly Ballroom, Moulin Rouge) is outstanding. --Joe McLellan

one of the best filmed versions of an opera.....:
First of all, what drew me to watch this performance back in 1994 was director, Baz Luhrmann, who brought us the beautiful, delightfully quirky Strictly Ballroom. I was interested to see how he would direct one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking operas I know. Needless to say, I was completely enchanted! The story of a group of Bohemians living together, and barely scraping by, and then the writer of the group, Rudolfo (David Hobson) meeting the beautiful and frail Mimi (Cheryl Barker) who brings sunshine and hope into his life is timeless. Not only is the acting strong, but the singing is positively stirring. I know other customers have mentioned David Hobson's portrayal of Rudolfo, but I had to add my two cents as well. He is a magnificent and stirring singer and smouldering actor. I kept wishing I was Mimi instead of Cheryl Barker. From his expressive eyes, to his beautiful and graceful renditions of the arias, I was in love from the moment I saw him. Cheryl Barker is also beautiful and very believable in her portrayal of Mimi. Just lovely. The supporting cast was great, too. Schaunard, Musetta, and all of the others were portrayed with zest. Please check this out!!!!! You won't be disappointed.

Simply Brilliant:
In the hand of the very creative film director Baz Luhrmann, who gathered a cast with young opera singers, updated the story to the 1950s, but rightfully left Puccini's music intact, this Bohème challenged the stereotyped opera form, and yet, came off triumphantly. It is great theatre with drama conveyed by great acting and singing. Who cares whether or not the singers were able, if they ever cared, to make the finals of Metropolitan audition, what they have created is simply brilliant. You have to watch this Boheme to believe how brilliant it is. It is not average opera production people have in mind...perhaps it is what opera ought to be.

SHEER DELIGHT! Believe what you're reading, and more....:
First of all, note that this DVD is underpriced. A few things I can add to the other 5-star comments: I defy anyone to get past "Che gelida manina" without hitting the back button at least twice. (8 times for me) Also, if you have any doubt that David Hobson poured himself completely into his "Rodolfo", then check out the extended curtain call at the end. He never does seem to compose himself. Totally believable. (Men, you may not want to let your wife see it. This guy could steal her heart!) And, delightful to see an attractive Mimi (Cheryl Barker) Though this charachter was sickly, the background history of the book says she was based on an attractive model. The higher priced Met version features a normally attactive Teresa Stratas' eyes made up to look quite frightening. Was it a special Halloween edition? To believe Rodofo could have fallen in love with HER eyes was impossible. On the contrary, in this version, Barker masterfully balances the combination of ill health and beauty. And, the appropriately youthful cast doesn't short you at all on voice quality. The other players were consistently excellent, and lovable. Like the Lyon version of "Figaro", a great one to get a friend started on opera. Bravo!

One of the World's Best Opera Companies:
With one of the world's best opera companies performing this eye-popping spectacle, it's no small wonder this is one of Luhrmann's most beloved works. This production, streets ahead of any tired reproduction, restores the poignant message of love in its purist, most random form. Impeccable direction, dazzling designs and superb performances by senior artists of Opera Australia (OA) culminate in one of the finest achievements in contemporary opera direction. Absolutely the best production of 'La boheme' post 1960. The quality of the individual performances is truly breathtaking - these performer's emotional range coupled with phenomenal vocal control allow for possibly the most moving interpretation we have seen for years. An excellent example of fine Australian production - ahead of its time and assembled by and including some of the world's greatest directors, designers and musicians.

This Boheme is Superb:
All singing and acting is close to perfect. The directing is, to say the least, imaginative and well-conceived. My only beef (which prevents the 5th star) is with the conductor: his tempos repeatedly fail to square with the score, and the orchestra seems woodwind-heavy under his baton. Buy it? Yes, siree. Definitive version? Probably not.