** PUCCINI: “La Boheme.” Roberto Alagna and others; Philharmonia Orchestra, Antonio Pappano, conductor. (EMI) Enhanced.
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The interest here--despite some other high-powered casting--is the Rodolfo of Alagna. Hyped as the “Fourth Tenor,” Alagna made a disappointing Met debut last year, but followed it with respectable repeat appearances. This recording will not restore the original luster, nor detract from his youthful competence. He has a terrific high B-flat, but his voice is basically brassy, pushed and tight. Like most of the other singers here, he sounds better when singing softly and tenderly. Leontina Vaduva makes a sweet, velvety-toned Mimi, as long as she doesn’t push. Thomas Hampson is a vocally strong but surprisingly under-characterized Marcello. Samuel Ramey is an intense Colline. Simon Keenlyside is a secure Schaunard. Of them all, Ruth Ann Swenson makes the most imaginative impact as a dark-toned and sympathetic Musetta. Pappano conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra with diligent style.
The PC enhancement (compatible with Macintosh and Windows) offers on-screen scrolling librettos in French, German or English (take your pick). But the background essay and cast biographies are nothing special. Not a first-choice “Boheme.”
*
Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good), four stars (excellent).
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