Franco Zeffirelli: La Bohème

Year: 1965
Country: Italy
Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Cinematographer: Wilhelm Semmelroth
Conductor: Herbert von Karajan
Stage design: Paul Haferung
Costume designer: Marcel Escoffier
Cast: Mirella Freni, Gianni Raimondi, Adriana Martino, Rolando Panerai, Gianni Maffeo, Ivo Vinco
Genre: opera
Runtime: 104 min.
Age: 12+
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.