La Bohème

One might have expected octogenarian film director Ettore Scola to bring some unconventional ideas to his staging of one of the world's most popular operas at the 2014 Puccini Festival at Torre del Lago in Italy, but this production proves to be scrupulously traditional, presenting the story of the doomed love between penniless poet Rodolfo and seamstress Mimi as an unabashedly sentimental tearjerker. Against a backdrop of elaborate sets and costumes, the musical performance is, with only a few caveats, very fine. The orchestra plays vigorously for conductor Valerio Galli, the chorus is excellent, and the principals are all accomplished, with Daniela Dessì spinning lovely long phrases as Mimi, and Fabio Armiliato as Rodolfo delivering a quality tenor (although he seems reluctant to sing much below forte). As the secondary couple, Alida Berti makes a seductive Musetta and Alessandro Luongo a virile Marcello. Unfortunately, the opera is performed on an outdoor stage where the acoustics lack resonance, resulting in a soundscape that is clear but also dry—even bordering at times on shrill. But even if this doesn't earn a place among the finest versions of this much-filmed warhorse—such as the Opera Australia staging (VL-9/12)—the sound issue is not severe enough to ruin an otherwise praiseworthy production. Presented in DTS 5.1 (DTS-HD 5.1 on the Blu-ray release) and PCM stereo, this is recommended. (F. Swietek)