Actors
Mimi
Rodolfo
Musetta
Marcello
Shaunard
Colline
Crew
Cinematographer
Wilhelm Semmelroth
Stage design
Paul Haferung
Costume designer
Marcel Escoffier
This production of ‘La Bohème’ scored a trio of ‘firsts’: it was the first opera film to be produced by Unitel, the first music film conducted by Herbert von Karajan, and the first major film production by Franco Zeffirelli (Romeo and Juliet, Jesus of Nazareth). Produced in 1965, it was based on Zeffirelli’s acclaimed 1963 La Scala production and features Mirella Freni and Gianni Raimondi as the starcrossed lovers. Karajan conducts the chorus and orchestra of Milan’s La Scala. The production is still considered today one of the finest treatments of opera on film and a classic of opera performance in the 20th century.
The magic of classics
There are performances that remain in history forever. Years pass, new stars appear, fashion changes, but these productions continue to live in the memory of the audience. The TheatreHD project "Magic of the Classics" is dedicated to just such time-tested works by the masters who continue to give the audience theatrical magic - and the magic of retro - even today.
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Language
Italian
Runtime
1 hour 44 minutes
1965
12+
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