La Boheme 2 - Mirella Freni sings "Si mi chiamano Mimi", Scala, 1965

Rodolfo: Gianni Raimondi, Musetta: Adriana Martino, Director: Franco Zeffirelli, Conductor: H. v. Karajan
The most beautiful Mimi.
Text:
Sì.
Mi chiamano Mimì,
ma il mio nome è Lucia.
La storia mia
è breve. A tela o a seta
ricamo in casa e fuori...
Son tranquilla e lieta
ed è mio svago
far gigli e rose.
Mi piaccion quelle cose
che han sì dolce malìa,
che parlano d'amor, di primavere,
di sogni e di chimere,
quelle cose che han nome poesia...
Lei m'intende?
Rodolfo: Si.
Mi chiamano Mimì,
il perché non so.
Sola, mi fo
il pranzo da me stessa.
Non vado sempre a messa,
ma prego assai il Signore.
Vivo sola, soletta
là in una bianca cameretta:
guardo sui tetti e in cielo;
ma quando vien lo sgelo
il primo sole è mio
il primo bacio dell'aprile è mio!
Germoglia in un vaso una rosa...
Foglia a foglia la spio!
Cosi gentile
il profumo d'un fiore!
Ma i fior ch'io faccio, ahimè! non hanno odore.
Altro di me non le saprei narrare.
Sono la sua vicina
che la vien fuori d'ora a importunare.

[@Bailey2006a]

One of the best sopranos Italy has ever produced … high praise as that country has given us so many. This performance was absolute perfection.

[@chrismill5303]

what a good actress, too. i cried when she sang, "ma quando vien lo sgelo..." you could just feel that although she's contented and happy being alone, her heart yearns for love's warmth and a respite from loneliness.

[@Canuckoperafan]

I am so overwhelmed with sadness, that the great Mirella Freni passed away today. What a glorious voice.. Requiescat in pace, Mirella Freni.

[@RobertoBB]

Senza dubbio la migliore Mimì di sempre: la dolcezza e semplicità di un usignolo. Commovente per me perché mi ricorda mia mamma che passò gli ultimi giorni di vita in una "bianca cameretta, sola soletta" svegliandosi guardando dall'alto i tetti di Urbino e aspettando il primo sole d'aprile per aprire la sua anima poetica al piccolo mondo antico che amava..........un bacio, Mamma.......

[@ArgiaCocco]

Simply perfect! I love singing Mimì thanks to Mirella Freni. Her interpretation of this role is still the best!

[@raycornford283]

Fifty years on, and still no-one has sung it better

[@markdrinkwater1508]

Gheorghiu for me is as good, she has a truly beautiful voice that is perfect for boheme. I saw her sing it at Covent Garden in 2012 and it was perfection.

[@Todd_O_SOP_3465]

ещё была Монтсеррат Кабалье. Но это исполнение мне по душе

[@marapaltrinieri5667]

Renata Tebaldi fu un'altra vetta, pure soprano lirico spinto. Non c'e' un assoluto, ma voci differenti nella loro perfezione

[@Todd_O_SOP_3465]

Верно!

[@lunetelalune2783]

#Iagree

[@djzio]

I don't care how stoic, or macho, or masculine someone pretends to be, you don't have a soul if you don't shed a river of tears at 'La Boheme'

[@juanjesus8817]

I am an alpha male silverback dominant and yes.... you are right.

[@davidmuller9938]

To me it is the worst opera ever written :'DDD but R.I.P. to Freni.

[@alicenelson8615]

@@davidmuller9938 my sympathies to you.

[@MOGGS1942]

@@davidmuller9938 What ???

[@littlebigjohn69]

@@davidmuller9938 you must be deaf on one ear . this opera sends shiver down my back and im a rocker.

[@nordiskkatt]

Oh wow. I've never heard an interpretation even remotely as good as this one. Incredible, and so utterly beautiful. The softness of her expression, the way she conveys gentle shyness and innocence - and then the purity and strength of her voice.... Amazing stuff.

[@maryvasilakakos7387]

She was in a class of her own with Mimi. I get shivers when I hear this version. The pace is perfect as nothing human is ever perfect. Rare vocal gem 😘

[@brianward7724]

@nordiskkatt I couldn't agree more! I have always loved the part where the crescendo occurs; it almost brings tears to my eyes, whenever I see/hear it but Mirella Freni's even more so. Isn't it fantastic that we are able to watch such wonderful excerpts from opera that are almost 60 years old?? Fantastic!

[@benoitpellet1657]

Indeed. She captures what is really happening here - a shy, withdrawn woman is being coaxed out of her shell by the oncoming of love at first sight - first gentle and light, then strong as a rushing river.

[@allenjones3130]

Mimi in LA BOHEME was probably Mirella Freni's signature role. Rest in peace, Mirella.

[@talitasofijakomelj9730]

Yes, she is really the most beautiful Mimi. I completely agree. Nobody sings this aria so gentle like Mirella Freni.

[@deansu5796]

Talita Komelj I feel so sad and sorry for Mimi each time I listen to this aria. Obviously the gentle Mimi was an orphan; didn't even know why people called her Mimi.

[@talitasofijakomelj9730]

+Dean Su Yes, it is very sad, of course. She is a wonderful girl with great sense for beauty and it is really pity she has to die because of her illness and poverty. But such sad things make operas even more interesting! Puccini especially is always about that good, wonderful people, usually women, who die at the end and you really feel sory for them! I don' t know why would that mean she was an orphan, I think that's just a nickname... but everything is possible, of course. Greetings! TK :)

[@giovanniarioli3021]

Talita Komelj e il gianni raimondi come cantava? anno che giravano bjorklin, pavarotti, domingo, kraus e ne dimentico qualcuno di sicuro, ah ecco e stava ancora in carriera corelli, bergonzi.

[@giovanniarioli3021]

Talita Komelj ho avuto il piacere di sentirla nella sua ultima recita di Adriana con la signora Cossotto e il maestro Gavazzeni. quando cambi i ruoli di susanna, mimi, micaela e spesso elisabetta. sei una grande , grazie a Dio che sei nata

[@talitasofijakomelj9730]

+ Giovanni Arioli Oh, yes, I love to listen to her, too.

[@sergiovarela8030]

Diva Sublime !!!!!!!!!! Diamante na Voz !!!!!!!!!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@stillstanding6031]

Ms. Freni was my favorite of the Italian sopranos (in fact, truth be told, all sopranos). Such purity, richness, control, precision, warmth and power---all wrapped up in one vocalist. You are missed, Madam. A thousand thank-yous.

[@marilynmichaels8358]

YES... THERE IS A PURITY, CRYSTAL SOUND.. NO PUSHING.... DEVINE.

[@demorea4871]

As a child, mom would play a 33 recording "La Boheme" with Mirella Freni. Hers is the quintessential MiMi voice. Hearing it again today brought tears to my eyes. Thank you You Tube.

[@francescopaterlini8520]

Che cast !!! Raimondi, Freni , Karajan e Zeffirelli alla regia . La voce della freni è angelica. In quegli anni a teatro non riuscivo a trattenere le lacrime e quando finiva l'atto non riiscivi a trattenerti e quasi ti buttavo giù dal palco . Erano dei geni . Adesso non c'è niente

[@ilanamoor3053]

She recently left us .... Best Mimi, thanks Mirella, we love and remember you...

[@antidoto11dim]

Addio Mirella, R.I.P.

[@diegomr6969]

todos la lloramos, RIP :(

[@kacperscislak9362]

😢

[@Cicalonion]

😪

[@mandongasings]

I am yet to find a better version of this aria!...She sings it with such ease and innocence😍😩. LOVE IT!!!

[@philipkuttner7945]

How lucky I was to see her in person as Mimi!

[@MOGGS1942]

Falling in love with Ms. Freni is so effortless. RIP, sweet lady.

[@requiemsama]

I’ve heard thousands of sopranos in my lifetime, and as a result put Freni in a category of the greats that I left largely ignored because I knew she was going to be amazing. Then in an exploration of great recordings to show a student I ended listening to this today. Some tears got worked up…I was utterly humbled. Freni is a cornerstone. A brilliant artist. And although she has left us, her legacy deserves the same-if not greater-attention than Callas and Tebaldi.

[@hipocampelofantocame]

Mirella lives forever in my soul, such as it is. Marvelous singer.

[@daganella23]

Addio Mirella, meravigliosa stella del firmamento lirico. La più grande interprete di Mimi dei nostri tempi! Resterai sempre nei nostri cuori. 💕 R.I.P. Che il Signore ti accolga in Cielo 🙏 🙏 🙏

[@giorgiocavallari8732]

Si, una Mimì favolosa,il Signore la ascoltava anche prima :-)

[@glenbearh9109]

Freni is to me the perfect voice for this opera. I always get tears and goosbumps. I am somewhat of a novice but have been to the Met several times. I still love the time worn favorites. Puccini being my favorite.

[@raffaelecapellirossi1852]

Unica, inconfondibile, cristallina, la sua voce pareva sgorgare da sorgente d'acqua pura e limpida, donata a tutti noi per dissetare il nostro desiderio, il nostro bisogno.

[@jbut1208]

This is the great Freni! Enough said! Rest In Peace diva!

[@joemiller6975]

Mirella Freni was magical as Mimi. This role and Butterfly fitted her like a glove she never quite impressed me as much in other roles but she was exquisite in those two. Puccini was definitely her composer. The voice was sweet and pure and lovely and she was delicate and feminine and vulnerable .

[@bazone8]

I regularly play this video. Puccini was a genius and to complement that, Mirella is surely THE Mimi. Every time, the hairs on my neck stand up - it is so beautiful, meaning her rendition, the words and the music. Just wonderful. Especial thanks to the poster of this superb piece of sheer lovely indulgence. :-)

[@edwardmccarthy8399]

Brian Allen 1

[@mandongasings]

Puccini over did himself with this opera. The emotions are not only in the text but the accompaniments too; the music speaks for itself. And together they just so beautiful and very moving! No matter how many times I've watched it, I still shed a tear❤😫

[@fredojoaquim4764]

I love Mirella Freni. I adore Mimi. In this aria Mimi pours her heart and describes her life story to Rudolfo, the poet.☀️💖🌟 Freni Fantastic Freni.

[@fredojoaquim4764]

💖🌹💖 Ah! L'amour! Love always. The fantastic and lovely Freni, one of the best and most magnificent soprano as Mimi.

[@Ursaminor31]

The slower tempo of this has utterly changed the intensity and intimacy of this aria. I’ve never heard this rendition before. The innocence is so profound and glorious and intimate beauty.

[@marilynmichaels8358]

YES!!!

[@marcleysens7716]

02:54 "April's first kiss is mine."...sigh

[@diegoolivarez1]

That part destroys me.

[@dubbelhenke854]

It's so spectacular you can't believe you ears. What piano...what legato...what feeling. THE Mimi....

[@davidsimmons654]

😭😭😭😭

[@bernylecuont2116]

Sublime

[@PaolaBarrientos]

What a discovery this video was 🥰🥰🥰I love her performance, words will not do justice. 👏👏👏💐

[@mrF1no]

Mirella Freni is Mimii !!!!

[@fbbomber]

La più grande mimì del secolo, tra tante grandi cantanti; voce, fraseggio interpretazione grandiose. Basta sentire gli appoggi sul fiato con pianissimi soavi e acuti fermi e sicuri, grande tecnica e grande interpretazione scenica. Grazie per la pubblicazione

[@eberlinpascal2837]

Pour moi c'est la meilleure Mimi du vingtième siècle .Une voix de miel et d'or et une expression magnifique .

[@wikingachileinformaticaosorno]

Mirella es la mejor Mimi del mundo, la mejor interpretación.

[@Valscorrrrr]

Senza ombra di dubbio, la migliore Mimi che possa esistere!!! Semplicemente PERFETTA

[@esterbruno8604]

Grandissima Mirella!!! La Mimì perfetta! 🥰🥰🥰😍😍😍😍😍❤❤❤❤❣❣❣

[@ggloriaf5151]

Una freni insuperabile... è lei la Mimi` per eccellenza!! Le sfumature sono impercettibili... è un ricamo...di sentimenti...

[@martinpitt1973]

es hat niemals mehr Gefühl in diesem Lied gegeben! Unübertrefflich!

[@markh4058]

She understood the fragility of Mimi and what was required to interpret the text and music, without letting her own ego get in the way. She was truly Mimi! Ah - for another...

[@benoitpellet1657]

The music of Puccini is beyond compare but let’s have a show of hands for the libretto of Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa: what stunning lyrics!

[@priscillamaynard-correia5984]

Such a beautiful, beautiful voice. Rest in peace, Mirella. Thank you for years of listening to your gorgeous voice!

[@josereyangelhernandezcruz]

Soy un fanático de Callas, pero debo admitir que ésta es la mejor Mimi que he escuchado, Mirella Freni, es perfecta en voz y actuación.

[@tommykrl8187]

har kommet på det kgl,det var smukkeste,i det røde hav.,dengang kunne man komme ind,husk den røde lampe

[@kingoftheseamusic]

Perhaps the most astounding and transcendental piece of music and lyric i will ever hear. Again and again I return to it.

[@naimamusique]

So incredibly beautiful!

[@tugamario]

So sad and beautiful.

[@icecap33]

What an unbelievable beautiful voice! Wow!!

[@benbasoco7436]

This lady as Mimi really sold this song completely as it should be. So gentle and careful to be able to capture the impression of who this character is. Best singer ive ever seen do this song ever, hands down, no competition.

[@guybeam]

Best I have ever heard sing this. She was at her very best here.

[@andysbg77]

*HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIRELLA FRENI!!!!!*

[@mjchonnet]

Il personaggio di Mimì è stato interpretato da tante grandi cantanti, ma questa è, a mio parere, una interpretazione insuperabile: se poi considero anche l'aspetto fisico e le notevoli doti di attrice, anch'io dico che la Freni " E' " Mimì. L'attacco, poi, della frase "Ma quando vien lo sgelo..." è, in assoluto una delle cose più belle di tutta la storia di questo capolavoro, al di sopra di qualsiasi commento ed elogio.

[@Draovsk]

Grandissima si. Ma prova a cercare Giovanna Vinci, non rimarrai deluso.

[@paolonostini3693]

Il personaggio di mimi, non richiede un soprano di forza , stonerebbe, ci vuole un soprano di grazia in questo la freni e' all'altezza,

[@bodiloto]

@@paolonostini3693 durante le sue recite la voce della Freni purtroppo si sentiva poco .... il vecchio

[@ariannac.4247]

Bellissima. Un incanto. Di una delicatezza che abbaglia. Donne di una volta, bellissime. Detto da una ragazza di 23 anni.

[@ilyaibrahimovic9842]

ben detto Canadese cui e non so se ho ben capito tutto cio ch'e scritto ma ho traduto in inglese per gli altri

[@michelevannucci7159]

Sublime...rimane la migliore interpretazione insuperata!!!!

[@begonaalvarez6843]

Mi primera Boheme fue una cinta de casete que compré sin saber bien lo que compraba, Pavarotti y Mirella Freni. Ahí es nada!! La cantidad de veces que pude escucharla!! Hoy me siguen emocionando igual que el primer día porque, simplemente, son intérpretes insuperables Gracias por tanto, allí donde estéis!!

[@claussaunte2303]

Absolutely World class!

[@ElmFuchs66]

...now united in heaven with Luciano, we love you Mirella !

[@brunomarzi529]

Non c'è dubbio che sia il massimo visto chi sono gli altri.Il top dei protagonisti.

[@TanyaGryaznova1313]

Mirella Freni, Diva! Amazing and More Beautiful Voice

[@rationalsceptic7634]

RIP Mirella...grew up with Pavarotti in Modena...you are one of the greatest tcx

[@primomartino1]

che dolce aria, è una delizia d'amore soave - brava Mirella.

[@fredojoaquim4764]

Lovely. Ms Freni 🌹 is always wonderful. All my love. Con tutto mio Amore.😍💎💟🤩☀️

[@austinsmithson3148]

Absolutely sublime.

[@roberthoffhines5419]

Thank God I have the heart to drink this in. R.I.P. Thank you for acquainting us all to a part of us we never would've known existed.

[@hombretuporaquireviewsbarajas]

absolutamente genial!!!!! Que gran Mimí es Freni!!!!

[@maxencehammer]

« Elles me plaisent, ces choses qui ont ce charme si doux, qui parlent d’amour, de printemps, de songes et de chimères : ces choses que l’on nomme poésie. »

[@pedrozaragoza2253]

Exquisitely sublime.

[@ariannac.4247]

Una delicatezza che abbaglia. Una bellezza autentica, un incanto. Le donne di una volta sapevano davvero ammaliare.

[@ProfessorChomsky]

Just the best. Into your soul this goes, into your heart and every fibre of your being, this takes you to other places within yourself. Beautiful and glorious - thank you Mirella x

[@NihilSubSole]

La più grande di tutte. Addio Mirella

[@antonioramires9559]

Adeus Mirella uma das mais belas vozes do mundo!

[@mozart2306]

Descanse en paz la gran soprano italiana Mirella Freni, fallecida a los 84 años. Pasará a la Historia de la Música.

[@robertmitchell4126]

I weep for her loss. One of the best sopranos in history! May God welcome you into His Glory. We'll miss you. Thank you for all your marvelous recordings! She does an excellent job of mouthing the words to her own voice. Brava, Mirella!

[@rodolfoleyva5157]

She sang effortlessly. Just wonderful!

[@andreaandrewmilne]

This is the song of love believed in by everyone who is really alive and so must invite another to share her heart. When we make love, it is this combination of delicacy, surrender, yearning for togetherness and heaven storming idealism that we express through our bodies. And it is entwined with our truly goddess-like capacity to make new life. When she sings of the pointlessness of being alone - "Ma i fior ch'io faccio, Ahimè! non hanno odore" - I am just weeping helplessly :-)

[@benoitpellet1657]

That post is beautiful.

[@nigelwright850]

@@benoitpellet1657 I agree absolutley

[@mauromiani6720]

Grande Mirella

[@gastonencarletto8869]

La più grande Mimi'...MIRELLA FRENI...è stata nella storia del Melodramma una delle piu grandi soprani...spaziando con la sua arte assoluta...in tantissimi ruoli..rendendoli memorabili...appunto nel personaggio di Mimi' nessuna collega di prima e dopo è riuscita a raggiungere vette così alte...di interpretazione e qualità vocali...ed in queste qualità della sua voce ..bisogna dire che sono...di una bellezza e di una tecnica che le consentono di dare al personaggio un'aura magica e suggestiva...e senza sforzo..anche nei registi più impervi la sua vocalità e' sublime...ed irradia tutto il suo magistero di grandissima protagonista della Lirica del mondo...GRANDISSIMA MIRELLA FRENI

[@TanyaGryaznova1313]

Mirella - t beautiful

[@terrietackett8964]

God’s speed, your beautiful voice is one of the first I remember....

[@ProfessorChomsky]

A beautiful, outstanding, artist with the voice of a thousand angels x

[@fernandorivas7419]

Grande entre las grandes. Una mujer excepcional. Gracias por su gran arte. Ahora canta desde el cielo, ad maiorem Dei gloriam. Lloro desde Santiago de Chile. Requiescat in Pace. Dr. Fernando Rivas-Burattini.

[@marfi6497]

Meravigliosa Freni!! Che delicatezza! Che coloritura!

[@snutea7505]

Rest in peace, Mirella. You have been the most beautiful Mimi and will ever be.

[@NathanLee-sd6jo]

She is always the best!!! Brava from south korea!!!

[@angelamassafra8716]

Una grande Mimi !!!

[@oliverhaase6891]

Mirella Freni sings "Si mi chiamano Mimi" still undefeated! I'm still waiting for an equivalent interpretation. I have seen so many times "La Boheme" and I'm still waiting for an equivalent interpretation:)

[@GordonLF]

You can wait forever and won't see it in the future. You might though looking at the past. Caballe or De Los Angeles for instance. Same level as Freni.

[@oliverhaase6891]

@@GordonLF Technically and in terms of ability, I agree with you. But the elegance, the lightness, the delicacy of Mirella Freni is unique. In La Boheme, Freni mutates into Mimi. Unfortunately I never saw Mirella Freni live.

[@GordonLF]

@@oliverhaase6891 Yeah…Freni had the total package for that role. I saw her live in Giordano’s Fedora. She was way past her prime and playing a character 40 years younger, but she was decent. It was a thrill to see one of the last “divas” on stage.

[@niuldo]

Ma quanto "corre" la voce della Freni???.... La prima volta che l'ho sentita, è diventata la mia begnamina🎼

[@musicwithsimon2659]

2:55 is pure genius. Puccini starts this wonderful, tearjerker climax, just immediately after the playful section, with a sudden change of key one tone below, instead of up. How did he come up with this idea?

[@kevinsong2946]

so beautiful

[@ronaldbeield7946]

The greatest of all scenes (with Rudolfo) from the world's most polpular opera. Freni was the best of the best. She played Mimi as the frail timid songbird Puccnii imagined with compassion and emotion, but never overwhelmed the music.

[@mirjamdevries9376]

Dolcissima, come era lei veramente nella sua vita. ❤❤❤

[@cagno1]

RIP you wonderful person.

[@FranciscoFerrerGaliana1930]

Maravillosa Mirella Freni..

[@morrisitalia]

impareggiabilel Mimì

[@romearomeo]

RIP 😥 😥 😥 SUBLIME E DIVINA MIRELLA FRENI 😥 😥 😥

[@y.s320]

I miss you. GranDiva!!!

[@savecoupons]

i grew up listen to it my mom love her italien opera , now she;s in hospital dont have long to live they aloud listen to music happy for that,

[@despinaluigini7991]

Ciao Mirella, riposa per sempre in pace Sei stata una soprano meravigliosa e Piango la tua morte, ma la tua voce restera' per sempre❤

[@giorgioferreri8341]

Mirella Freni la più grande Mimì di tutti i tempi inarrivabile anche per 2 mostri sacri come Tebaldi e Callas

[@davidelucia2048]

Splendidi

[@LibertyValance777]

ESTA SEÑORA ES MARAVILLOSA!!! CHAPEAU!!!!

[@vladtepes71]

Goosebumps… 😍 The clarity, tenderness, beauty..