Starving artist and consumptive seamstress fall in love, have trouble maintaining the relationship. His painter friend also has romantic troubles with his ambitious grisette.
Director: Kirk Browning
Director: Kirk Browning
Conductor: James Levine
disc just arrived.
First performance at Turin, February 1, 1896
Time: about 1830
Place: Paris
Time: about 1830
Place: Paris
As I expected, JC (b. '46) matched my expectations for Rodolfo, both physically and with his acting: young, sincere, foolish.
TS (b. '38) looked as though she had starved herself to prepare for the role. When she was taking her bows, you could see the ribs just below her neck. Sallow makeup helped, but her face also looked gaunt.
I managed to look up just as Rodolfo explained why he wanted to end the relationship with Mimi, finally backing off from the flirtation nonsense, and admitting that his flat was so awful, with the wind howling through, that having Mimi there was hastening her death. Her flat was similarly bad.
RS, who played Mimi against Pavarotti at the Met in '77, was a bit forceful as Musetta in her first scene. But the audience was appreciative.
Cast:
MIMI, a seamstress Soprano : Teresa Stratas
RODOLFO, a poet Tenor : José Carreras
MARCELLO, a painter Baritone : Richard Stilwell
COLLINE, a philosopher Bass : James Morris
SCHAUNARD, a musician Baritone : Allan Monk
BENOÎT, a landlord Bass : Italo Tajo
ALCINDORO, a state councilor and follower of Musetta Bass : Italo Tajo (yes, 2 roles)
PARPIGNOL, an itinerant toy vendor Tenor : Dale Caldwell
CUSTOM-HOUSE SERGEANT Bass : Glenn Bater
MUSETTA, a grisette Soprano : Renata Scotto
Met Opera, cond. Levine; 8
