Shipping: All items will be packed safely in a sturdy package for safe shipping.
We ship internationally and offer combined shipping for multiple purchases. Expedited, Priority Mail and FedEx shipping available
Once payment is received, we ship your item on the next business day.

Over 1000 Records available. If you plan to buy several records: Click the "ADD TO CART" button. Once you have selected all the records you want, go to Cart and check out. COMBINED SHIPPING will be applied automatically. If shipping seems high and for INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: In Cart click REQUEST TOTAL, and I will send you an invoice. Lower priced options available for International Shipping.

A series of great  OPERA Records from early G&Ts to World War II recordings on 78 rpm Victrola Records

Selected scenes from the famous 1938 La Scala recording of La Boheme with a nicely done 7 page illustrated reader.

1938 Beniamino Gigli as Rudolfo, Licia Albanese as Mimi in  La Boheme

Giacomo Puccini, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala Conducted By Umberto Berrettoni – The Heart Of La Boheme: Highlights Of Puccini's Opera Featuring Albanese, Gigli, Menotti, Poli, Famous Artists, And Orchestra Of La Scala Opera, Milan
Giacomo Puccini - The Heart Of La Boheme: Highlights Of Puccini's Opera Featuring Albanese, Gigli, Menotti, Poli, Famous Artists, And Orchestra Of La Scala Opera, Milan album cover
More images

Label: Victor Red Seal – DM 980
Format: 
5 x Shellac, 12", 78 RPM, Album

Act 1 
A1  Che Gelida Manina (Your Tiny Hand Is Frozen)
B1  Mi Chiamano Mimi (They Call Me Mimi)
C1  Eh ! Rodolfo! - O Soave Fanciulla (Sweetest Maiden)
Act 2 
D1  Quando Me'N Vo' (Musetta's Waltz Song - As Thro' The Street I Wander)
Act 3 
E1  Addio! Che! Vai! (Farewell! What! Going?)
F1  Dunque E Proprio Finita! (Then You're Going To Leave Me)
Act 4 
G1  In Un Coupe? (In A Coupe?)
H1  Sono Andati? Fingevo Di Dormire (Have They Left Us? To Sleep I Only Feigned)
I1  Torno Al Nido La Rondine (Back To Her Nest Comes The Swallow)
J1  Dorme? Risposa (Sleeping? Just Resting)
Artwork – Frank Decker (2)
Baritone Vocals – Afro Poli (tracks: C1, D1, F1, G1, J1), Aristide Baracchi (tracks: C1, D1, I1, J1)
Bass Vocals – Carlo Scattola (tracks: D1), Duilio Baronti (tracks: C1, D1, J1)
Conductor – Umberto Berrettoni
Orchestra – Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala
Soprano Vocals – Licia Albanese (tracks: B1, C1, D1, E1, F1, H1, I1, J1), Tatiana Menotti (tracks: D1, F1, J1)
Tenor Vocals – Beniamino Gigli (tracks: A1, B1, C1, D1, E1, F1, G1, H1, I1, J1)
Auto-Coupled
"Recorded in Europe"

Please see top of the page for condition

The vitality of Berrettoni's interpretation (recorded at the Teatro Regio, Turin) is wonderfully impressive. More important is the opportunity to hear a Bohème that - though in some quarters it might now be considered "old fashioned" - is vivid and committed. Do today's productions of what is, in some respects, little more than a sentimental and rather mawkish love story equal the passion - not to mention vocal splendour - of Gigli's Rodolfo and Albanese's Mimi? Is Tatiana Menotti's Musetta a little over the top? The jury may disagree on such matters but, on convincing evidence, this is well worth considering as an impressive performance because of, rather than in spite of, its age.

The high jinks of the opening reveal not only great singers, but also believable, full-blooded characters with individual personalities, and by the café scene we are emotionally as well as musically involved. The well-known set pieces between the poet Rodolfo and seamstress Mimi are acknowledged show-stoppers, and who will deny the principals the relish with which they use their vocal mastery to bring to life what might otherwise now be little more than operatic war horses? As brilliantly handled by Berrettoni, it also comes as something of a surprise to discover just how important the crowd scenes in Acts I and II are, in preparing the audience for the final Act in which Mimi "takes an unconscionable time a-dying". Yet it is probably here that the differences between this pre-war Bohème and the general run of more recent performances are most conspicuous. The voices remain in full control, but Gigli's - and to a lesser extent Albanese's - approach occasionally leads to an uncomfortable forcing of voices and tempi that does little to convey the tenderness and pathos of Puccini's closing pages.

It would be a pity of this remarkable Bohème should be regarded as of interest only to dedicated opera buffs. It has much to do with the reasons why Puccini's tear-jerker has proved durable for more than a hundred years.

More Great Records on sale right now:

 

====

A Quick NOTE ON GRADING AND SHIPPING:

As you can see from my feedback, I try hard to earn your POSITIVE FEEDBACK and FIVE STAR RATINGS.

If for any reason your transaction was NOT SATISFACTORY, pls contact me and I will work something out with you. YOU WILL NEVER HAVE A REASON TO GIVE ME A NEGATIVE RATING or a LOW STAR RATING.

Quick note on grading:

The Grade (Excellent to Poor, I don't give Mint) refers to the WEAR of the record. Any other defects are stated separately

When I listen to a record, I may also give it an aural grade (again E to P), and make a SUBJECTIVE judgment of the pressing quality for hiss and surface noise.
"SUPERQUIET" is basically noiseless, like a vinyl pressing.
"VERY QUIET" is an exceptionally quiet record for a given pressing.
"Quiet" is a record that is a great example without undue noise for a give pressing.

These judgments are SUBJECTIVE and will depend one the styli, phonograph etc. you use on your own equipment.

Multiple item shipping: I am happy to combine items for shipment in one parcel.

If you win multiple items, pls send me an INVOICE REQUEST to calculate the correct postage. Ebay check out will not give you the correct multiple item discount!

Records will be packed safely between corrugated cardboard in a sturdy box with plenty of padding for safe shipment.

Shipment is usually Media Mail, unless you request another service. Shipping is at your risk, I will be happy to insure items at your cost.

I charge actual postage plus a small fee for packing materials

As always, I guarantee your satisfaction. If you don't like the item, just return it, and I will refund the full purchase price.

If you are in the San Francisco area, I welcome pick-up in person.

US Domestic Shipping:

Here is a guideline for US Media Mail Shipping:

Prices below are for regular 78 rpm records. Up to about 5 records, I will ship Edison Discs for the same rates. Albums from Album Sets count as 1 record. Above that and for international shipments, it will be actual weight plus a small packing charge (1-3$ depending on size of shipment)

1 record: 4.99 – 5.85$

2 records: 6.95$

5 records: 8.50$

10 records: 12.00$

MANY MORE RECORDS: Don't worry. I safely ship 40 - 50 pounds of records double boxed in moving boxes, and even then Media Mail or FedEx ground will be affordible.

Please send me a message if you would like to get an estimate for you shipping rates!

I am very happy to ship records worldwide.

Please use the EBAY shipping cost as a guideline. My actual charges are usually lower

A single record usually ships for around $30 (Less for Canada). There are lower cost shipping options available, when you purchase, pls click the “REQUEST A TOTAL/ INVOICE” link in the Ebay Shopping Cart, so that I can invoice you the lowest shipping rate

 As always, I would appreciate any suggestions and corrections from you, pls contact me with any question.

Thank you very much, and enjoy my great records!!!

Powered by SixBit's eCommerce Solution