La Boheme The Film with Netrebko and Villazon

The pairing is an opera fanatic’s wildest fantasy. La Boheme: The Film is beautifully photographed and exquisitely sung. The smooth erotic chemistry between Ramon Villazon (Rudolfo) and Anna Netrebko (Mimi) evoke steamy passion. For opera fans, this is one opera version of La Boheme that needs to be added to your library.

This is the first film version of La Boheme. Most DVD versions are recordings of staged performances. Giacomo Puccini’s La Boheme was first performed in 1896, Turin Italy. It is one of the top ten operas. The plot is basic. Four poor young men share a small flat in Paris, living the bohemic lifestyle. Marcello, the artist has just broken up with his girlfriend (Musetta). It’s New Years Eve 1900 and three of the characters leave to party. Rudolfo stays behind to write an article. Answering a knock on the door, Rudolfo meets Mimi and the two immediately fall in love. The passion lingers through mid-winter as they decide to break-up in the Spring.

My first introduction to this opera was at New York’s Public Theater. It was a version where Linda Ronstadt played Mimi. I’ve since seen it at the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, and several other venues. I particularly enjoy a Franco Zeffirelli version from Milan’s La Scala. An extremely popular version, directed by Baz Luhrmann, played on Broadway from 2002 to 2003, a revival of a production he did with Opera Australia in 1993. Using very young singers, it brought new life and passion that was lost in some stiffer operatic productions.

Long running Broadway show RENT (1996 to 2008) was loosely based on the La Boheme plot. Roger replaced the Rdolfo character. Mimi remained Mimi, but as a junkie. The scene moved from Paris to a group of East Village squatters near New Year’s Eve.

Inasmuch as my eager anticipation to see these two young, attractive, and astounding singers do this film version, it’s a little disappointing. The staging that needed to evoke poverty seemed more like it was shot as video clips to present Villazon and Netrebko at their best. It’s difficult to interpret opera into film versions. Only a few were marginally successful. La Boheme: The Film isn’t my favorite DVD version of La Boheme but with these two charismatic stars leading an above average cast, the is a great introduction to what may be the greatest opera ever written. If you love La Boheme, you’ll love opera. It’s the first kiss.

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