This Baz Luhrmann La Boheme is just lovely. I would have the 1988 SF production or the 1965 production as first choices over this one, that said, coming from someone who finds Luhrmann's filmography very hit and miss I very much enjoyed this Australian production of La Boheme.
Visually, it is beautifully done, with the whole production shot lovingly with no overblown editing in sight. The acts 1 and 4 settings are well-lit and appropriate, but for sets I found act 2 was the most effective. The costumes are sumptuous, with Mimi looking very angelic dressed in white. Staging is also great, act 2 is busy without being too chaotic, the end of act 1 is understated, and the quartet and act 4 are just heart-breaking as they should be.
From a musical point of view, this La Boheme also excels. The orchestra bring out the pathos and beauty of Puccini's magnificent score wonderfully and the conducting is nicely genteel while never becoming stodgy. Chorus work is excellent, especially with the ladies, though the start of act 3 with the men is characterful and mostly in tune.
You also have great performances. It is true that David Hobson's tenor voice is quite lightweight and perhaps on the thin side. This in mind, he does sing beautifully with no obvious strain and uses the voice musically, and at least he emotes and exudes good chemistry with Baker. Cheryl Baker is a wonderful Mimi, with her two shining moments being in Donde Leita Uschi and the whole of the final act. The end of act 3 with the snowballs may be corny to some, I personally found it quite affecting.
Christine Douglas is a flirtatious and witty Musetta, and Robert Demke is great as Marcello, reacting well with Douglas during La Commedia Stupenda...Quando M'en Vo and blending beautifully with Hobson in In Un Coupe...O Mimi Tu Piu Non Torni. Colline is intelligently sung with a very musically phrased Vecchio Zimmara, Schaunard steals every scene he appears in and Benoit, Parpignol and Alcindoro are sung and acted with few problems at all.
In conclusion, lovely. 8/10 Bethany Cox