Puccini: (La) Bohème

Advantages: Classic Tebaldi, fine Bergonzi, wonderful Bastianini
Disadvantages: perhaps a little slow

...This is one of the classic Puccini recordings. Renata Tebaldi recorded the role of Mimi twice in the studio. This, her second recording made in the lae 1950s with stereo sound is one of her best records. Her Mimi may not give us the insights of Maria Callas (who is less consistent vocally) or the charming Victoria de los Angeles (that soprano's voice being far smaller and less powerful than Tebaldi) but Tebaldi's assumption of the role is probably the finest sung on record. Her velvet voice can strike the high notes with huge power and next be breathtakingly sweet and soft. Her "Si, mi chiamino Mimi" is a classic of the gramophone. Carlo Bergonzi is her Rodolfo. His voice seems rather less focussed than say Pavarotti and Di Stefano but it is sweet and powerful and he is a fine stylist. Ettore Bastianini gives a warm voiced and powerful... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Great food, reasonable fixed price menu
Disadvantages: None

...On our recent trip to the Loire Valley Mr Tart and myself arrived in Tours quite late on our first night. We drove down to Tours from Paris. We were going to stop for something to eat on the way but in the end decided to make our way straight to Tours and get settled in the hotel and then find something close by. A couple of minutes from our hotel we came across this place and were really glad that we did. LOCATION: La Chope is located at 25 Avenue Grammont. Our hotel was on the same road so we just came across it. It is about a ten minute walk from Tours? old town. The restaurant doesn?t stand out and the sign is not particularly bright so make sure you look out for it. THE EXPERIENCE: La Chope (which apparently translates as the tankard) is actually a fish restaurant. I?m not really a fish person (ok, that... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Two perfect leads terrific sound and a beautiful orchestra
Disadvantages: none

...This recording relights a passion for Puccini, and Italian opera in general, that I have not felt since I was much younger and heard the Callas/de Sabata Tosca for the first time. Like that recording, this recording is the definitive benchmark recording for this opera. Tebaldi and Del Monaco are in their element - one of the great 20th Century couples in full flight; Tebaldi's tone is rounder and more brilliant than any other Minnie while creating a superbly rounded character and Del Monaco is remarkably convincing. This is Del Monaco's finest studio recording even better than his Otello, his voice sounds less nasal than many of his recordings in the 1960s whilst not so heavy and unsmiling as some of his earlier records which altough showing off a remarkable voice have only two apparent dynamics - loud and louder. The sound here is very... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful