Our Own Jungfer Marianne Leitmetzerin demonstrates the enduring quality of art with two performances of La Bohème four decades apart.

Giacomo Puccini: La Bohème
Metropolitan Opera
Giuseppe Antonicelli, conductor
16 December 1948
In-house recording (amazing sound quality!)

Mimì – Bidu Sayão
Rodolfo – Jussi Björling
Musetta – Mimi Benzell
Marcello – John Brownlee
Schaunard – Hugh Thompson
Colline – Nicola Moscona
Benoît – Melchiorre Luise
Alcindoro – Melchiorre Luise
Parpignol – Anthony Marlowe
A sergeant – Lawrence Davidson

Giacomo Puccini: La Bohème
Highlights
Metropolitan Opera
Carlos Kleiber, conductor
25 January 1988
In-house recording

Mimì – Mirella Freni
Rodolfo – Luciano Pavarotti
Musetta – Barbara Daniels
Marcello – Jonathan Summers
Schaunard – Thomas Hampson
Colline – Gwynne Howell

This was the second of 19 performances Carlos Kleiber conducted at the Met through October 1990.

Requested by and lovingly dedicated to La Cieca.

La Cieca

James Jorden (who wrote under the names "La Cieca" and "Our Own JJ") was the founder and editor of parterre box. During his 20 year career as an opera critic he wrote for the New York Times, Opera, Gay City News, Opera Now, Musical America and the New York Post. He also raised his voice in punditry on National Public Radio. From time to time he directed opera, including three unsuccessful productions of Don Giovanni. He also contributed a regular column on opera for the New York Observer. James died in October 2023.

Comments