PUCCINI: “LA BOHEME.” Barbara Hendricks, Angela Maria...

PUCCINI: “LA BOHEME.” Barbara Hendricks, Angela Maria Blasi, Jose Carreras, Gino Quilico; Choeurs et Matrise de Radio France; Orchestre National de France conducted by James Conlon. Erato ECD-75450 (two compact discs). This sound track for the forthcoming Luigi Comencini movie exerts strong appeal, even without the visual element. Conlon conjures a mood of spontaneity and enforces lyric expansion, while the engineers only occasionally encourage unsatisfying balances. While missing the requisite weight, Hendricks offers a youthfully captivating and pathetic Mimi, marked by attention to the text and scrupulous musicianship. Carreras, whose illness forced him out of the movie project, shows evidence of his former tenorial glory, but his overbearing manner and audible strain rob Rodolfo of charm. Blasi brings warmth and individuality to Musetta; Quilico is the most compassionate of Marcellos; the other Bohemians are forgettable.