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When they first sang together in Munich five years ago in Verdi's "La Traviata," musical sparks began to fly between tenor Rolando Villazon and soprano Anna Netrebko. 

Since then they've sung the roles of lovers in Gounod's "Romeo and Juliet," Verdi's 
"Rigoletto," Massenet's "Manon," and they've also sung arias and love duets together. 

Their new release is a performance of Puccini's perennial favorite, "La Boheme," recorded in April 2007 with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. 

Not only is this recording a tribute to the star power of Villazon and Netrebko, it also showcases the artistic flexibility of French conductor Bertrand de Billy, who drives this dramatic production.

"'La Boheme' is really the theatrical work par excellence. Everything must be exaggerated with song so the emotions are clearly understood," de Billy explained. 

Rolando Villazon commands our attention with his impassioned performance, as he bares his soul to Mimi while warming her shivering hand during his first aria, "Che gelida manina." 

Mimi, in turn, reveals her tender story to Rodolfo in, "Si, mi chiamano Mimi." Anna Netrebko has a powerful voice, with a broad range that I find to be most captivating when she sings softly. 

Nicole Cabell is one of the youngest members of this cast. In 2005, at the age of 27, she took top honors at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition.  

After presenting the award to her, Joan Sutherland offered this advice, "Take your time. Don't let people rush you." 

Cabell is trying to live by those words, but her career is still moving at a fast clip. She is by no means intimidated by her world-class colleagues in this operatic performance. 

Cabell loves the role of Musetta, and the character is a perfect vehicle for Cabell's strong stage presence and silky soprano voice. 

Cabell's Musetta is flirtatious, yet vulnerable as she works to gain the attention of Marcello the painter in her famous waltz, "Quando me'n vo." 

The Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra is very present throughout this recording, especially at the start and conclusion of Act III.  

The woodwinds and solo harp map out a mysterious atmosphere, as Mimi wanders in the snowy outskirts of Paris searching for the place where Marcello and Musetta now live. At the end of Act III, Mimi and Rodolfo reminisce about happier times, while Musetta and Marcello quarrel.  

Netrebko ignites Mimi's fiery spirit during the dramatic quartet, "Dunque e proprio finita."  As the painter and his mistress part in anger, Mimi and Rodolfo reconcile. 

This is where the chemistry between Villazon and Netrebko is most charming. As Act III comes to a close, their moving performance convinces us they are truly in love. 

There were no sets and there was no elaborate staging for this concert performance of Puccini's "La Boheme," yet it still bustles with the excitement of a live opera. 

The cast is filled with singers who love to act. Their passion for this work is genuine,  capturing every mood.  Add to that the fresh energy of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, with Bertrand de Billy at the helm, and it's easy to make room for one more recording of this operatic favorite.

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Julie Amacher

Author

There are plenty of recordings of Puccini's "La Boheme." But this latest one stands out, thanks to the star soloists in the lead roles and a conductor who knows how to bring out the drama in this most popular of all operas.

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