Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna bring star power to this recording. 

True confession… this is my favorite recording of La Bohème.  Maybe I am not alone in my love of Mirella Freni and Luciano Pavarotti as Mimì and Rodolfo. 

Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazón play the star-crossed lovers, but look for Nicole Cabell, Mimì in the Pittsburgh Opera production, as Musetta. 

This classic production from the Metropolitan Opera features Renata Scotto and Luciano Pavarotti  as Rodolfo and Mimì.  

Arnesen’s book, an intriguing work, brings a fresh view of Puccini to the table. She draws comparisons between Puccini and Wagner, even calling Puccini’s operas a Rose Cycle contrasting with Wagner’s Ring. She also argues that Puccini’s works evolved from the romance genre of 12th century France, full of strong heroines. Tosca definitely fits the bill!

Berger’s treatment is a companion piece to his works about Verdi and Wagner. His writing style is witty and educational. He writes a compelling biography of the composer and a detailed account of La Bohème with commentary about the plot and musical elements. His chapter about film music places Puccini firmly in popular culture, perhaps most memorably in the movie Moonstruck. A great read for the Puccini fan.

Budden, most known for his treatment of the operas of Verdi, seems equally at home with Verdi’s fellow countryman. A brief biography gives way to in-depth treatments of all of Puccini’s operas. In the chapter on La Bohème, Budden describes the opera’s creation, which was quite a bumpy ride. The members of the creative team were often at odds with one another as illustrated by excerpts from various letters quoted by Budden.  The chapter concludes with an analysis of the opera’s musical motifs.