PUCCINI: La Boheme.(Review)

PUCCINI: La Boheme [] Frittoli, Mei; Bocelli, Gavanelli, de Carolis, Luperi, Gatti; Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Mehta. Text and translations. Decca 289 464 060-2

The reason for the release of yet another La Boheme is to showcase Andrea Bocelli in his first complete opera recording. Coincidentally, other "newcomers" to this effort include Zubin Mehta, who has never recorded this opera, and Barbara Frittoli, in her first Mimi on disc. Undoubtedly, Bocelli's foray into a Puccini favorite will thrill his many fans, but this set is disappointing on several counts.

Much has been written about the strengths and shortcomings of Bocelli's voice, and his Rodolfo displays these familiar characteristics: a natural, open sound with a bright, secure top; a thinner, somewhat reedy and unsupported middle; a tendency to stay at the same dynamic level; a limited ability to shape or color a passage. His strongest moments are in the Act I aria (which he has sung often in concert), performed with a sense of line and emotional involvement that is lacking elsewhere. Although Bocelli performed Rodolfo onstage in Sardinia in 1998, his command of the role is not yet sufficient to produce a solid characterization, or to hold his own in the duets with Mimi and the byplay with his fellow Bohemians. Unfortunately, the decision to record him always ...