Decca has announced the reissue of the famous recording of La bohème, starring tenor Luciano Pavarotti as Rodolfo and soprano Mirella Freni as Mimì, under the baton of Herbert von Karajan, conducting the Berlin Philharmonic. This release spearheads the label’s celebration of the centenary of Puccini’s death this coming November.

When this recording first appeared in 1973, Edward Greenfield reviewed it for Gramophone saying: ‘Karajan adds another to the list of Italian operas which have inspired from him recordings of supreme insight…. Every word [in Pavarotti’s performance] is bright-eyed and full of meaning. Here is a complete character, genuinely concerned for Mimì, actually in love, and the range of expression is enchanting.’

Time has only enhanced its appeal - it was chosen in September’s Gramophone this year as one of Mark Pullinger’s recordings which demonstrates Puccini singers at their very finest. ‘The first meeting of Mimì and Rodolfo is unbelievably tender,’ he wrote. ‘Freni really is the girl next door, her soprano dewy fresh; Pavarotti is an ardent poet, a twinkle in his eye. Here are young lovers you can believe in.’

Pavarotti had made his operatic debut as Rodolfo (Reggio Emilia, 1961), and his career included many performances as Puccini’s lovestruck poet, including at La Scala under Karajan in 1965 and the Metropolitan Opera for Pavarotti’s 1968 company debut (opposite Freni’s Mimì). The Decca sessions were Pavarotti’s only studio recording of the role.

The recording also documents the artistic partnership of Pavarotti and Freni, the tenor’s colleague, friend and fellow Modenese. Freni’s name was synonymous with Puccini’s Mimì, a role she sang for 42 years.

The recording’s other soloists include English soprano Elizabeth Harwood as Musetta opposite the Marcello of Italian baritone Rolando Panerai. Other roles are taken by Bulgarian bass Nicolai Ghiaurov as Colline, Italian baritone Gianni Maffeo as Schaunard and French tenor Michel Senechal as Benoit and Alcindoro.

In addition to the opera’s synopsis, Decca’s booklet also includes comments by longtime Pavarotti admirer, Freddie de Tommaso, the British-Italian tenor and Decca artist. The booklet also includes a programme essay by American writer Roger Pines. The set features new high definition 24-bit 192 kHz transfers from the original 1972 master’s tapes, and is presented in a newly designed boxed set, crafted using linen.

Dominic Fyfe, Label Director of Decca Classics, said: ‘the Karajan Decca La bohème has been a reference recording ever since its first release more than 50 years ago. It remains one of the jewels of the Decca catalogue and is now presented more lavishly than ever before. The latest remastering utilizes a new set of HD transfers of the original master tape and has the recording sounding better than ever.’

The new recording will be available on November 22.