Naturally, the 'reference'-La Boheme is the recording with De Los Angeles en Bjorling. If you are looking a recent recording, though, this might be the one to choose. Alagna and Vaduva are commanding and sound pleasant. Keenleyside and Swenson really give this recording the edge: I was swept away by the sheer beauty of her voice in Quando m'en vo. I prefer this one to the Nagano: his orchestration is more three-dimensional, but the leading roles are quite uncomfortable to listen to.