The great scene at the end of Act I of Puccini's La Bohème, where Rodolfo and Mimì fall in love. Baz Luhrmann's famous production for Opera Australia, starring David Hobson and Cheryl Barker.
This is the most beautiful La Boheme ever..nothing can beat it's poignancy and authenticity before or since.The voices are beautiful. David is a great actor and generous as a singing partner, giving his full attention to Mimi when she sings, we can believe these two are falling in love.
Luhrmann deployed Brecht’s V-Effect judiciously. But in his hands there was no alienation, nothing even remotely didactic. No shifting from the representational to the presentational at the drop of a stitch. I’d been living in Italy for years and this was the first opera i saw on my return in 1990. I lived in Firenze . I am Italian, so i tear up at the drop of a soufflé. When Hobson launched into O Soave Funciulla i WEPT. Leonard Bernstein recorded La Boheme with the Orchestra della Academia di Santa Cecilia using young, unknown singers and it was a disaster. It was also in concert form. Hobson and Barker were sensational. Hobson looks HOT in that leather jacket 🔥 And importantly, he remembered to ACT. Barker voice was quite perfect. And their dictation was excellent. . Barker went on to sing some glorious Richard Strauss and her Janacek (directed by Armfield!) was sensational. My introduction to opera was Lakme with Dame Joan Sutherland when I was 12. Later came, Norma, Hoffmann, The Merry Widow (in the concert hall). These are seared into my memory. As are Elizabeth Connell’s Lady Macbeth and Abigaille in Kosky’s Nabucco , a production that made the excesses of today’s “regietheater” look positively mild. Since 92 Jim Sharman’s Cosi Fan Tutte, Don Carlo, Simon Boccanegra were unforgettable. For what it’s worth La Boheme and recently The Tales of Hoffmann are in my view the 2 greatest staged Sydney operatic experiences of the last 30 years. Parsifal and Andrea Chenier were not experiences, they were EVENTS. Music making of the highest order. For the record, I cried just now rewatching . This La Boheme, 30 years later, doesn’t come off as quaint or dated. It was modern then and remains modern today. Which makes it a CLASSIC. I hope we all realise how privileged we were to have experienced it live. And in 30 years time we will be saying the same about La Boheme, Jessica Pratt’s Lucia and her thrilling role(s) in Hoffmann. In fact, i would argue that it is superior to the Salzburg production of La Boheme conducted by Daniele Gatti, with Anna Netrebko and Piotr Blechacz. I found Netrebko’s Mimi beautifully acted, but not suited to her vocal “fach” at this stage of her career. 20 years ago yes. Blechacz was insanely great.
So in love with this I have my own copy. Mr. Luhrmann gave us, in my opinion, the most beautiful and poignant, heartbreaking and glorious production of Puccini's masterpiece ever. Opera purists dismiss my claim, saying Hobson and Barker are not "strong" enough (oh please!) Give me a gorgeous artist in an attic, wearing a leather jacket and hair falling in his eyes as he flirts outrageously with the stunning girl who has just stumbled in from the cold...and I'm a goner. Absolutely brilliant. From everyone in the company. And Musetta. Beyond perfect. Bravo all. Bravo. xoxo P
Couldn't agree more, Paty Lombard! I experienced a production of La Boheme at the then new Sydney Opera House but it was 15 years or so before this masterpiece of Baz Luhrmann's!
I remember seeing the premier of this production in Sydney Opera House, 1990 and the excitement of this young and wonderful production. So wonderful Luhrmann took it to Broadway, and the first of many operas starring both singers. David is still a popular local singer and Cheryl had an international career. Thank you Opera Australia for so many wonderful nights at the opera.
This is a favorite production of Boheme in part because of the attractive, age-appropriate performers and their onstage chemistry. David Hobson is not primarily an opera singer, but he handles the highest notes with ease and confidence. I have the DVD and consider it a unique and valuable presentation of this opera.
This is the only opera I have ever watched from start to finish. David Hobson gives an amazing performance. The whole ensemble were on top form too. It’s difficult to watch other versions now. The great Pavarotti had the best voice, but couldn’t act. Everything about this production is first class
This was really a beautiful production. Modern sets and costumes are wonderful when they stay true to the spirit of the opera. I am also happy that Hobson (who had a fine high-C) let Barker take that note solo. Puccini wrote the top note for the soprano - it's bloody hell when the tenor tries to match it. All you get is two screaming singers when the moment is about love, moonlight, and poetry.
It's the mark of a true musician for a tenor not to take the high C in the end of the duet, I took an oath once that the moment I sing Rodolfo I will refuse to sing that obnoxious high C matching the soprano
To me, Hobson and Baker are the definitive versions of Rodolfo and Mimi, and this is the best production of the greatest opera. I first saw this when it aired on PBS in the early/mid 90s. I recorded it on VHS and then got it on DVD when it was released. It's such a treasure! Thanks for uploading, I love listening to it whilst cooking!
Janetta Guidotti, David Hobson has an extremely good voiced and I loved him in La Boheme. But you can not compare him wiith Correlli or Pavarotti and quite a few more listen to the other singers and include Maria Callas. Baz Luhrman is to be congratulated, Why doesn't he do some More.????
Such a landmark production. Barker is gorgeous in this role and sings beautifully. Hobson is a vocal embarrassment with his puny, bleating tenor voice.
