Beniamino Gigli was the most popular and successful Italian tenor in the first half of the 20th century. Acclaimed as the second Caruso, he was a great popular favourite both on the operatic stage and the concert platform from his debut in 1914 to his retirement in 1955.
Gigli recorded extensively for HMV (now EMI) and his records were among the company's best sellers for many years.
This ICON set covers the whole of Gigli's recording career, starting with his very first records made in Milan in October and November 1918 to his farewell concert at Carnegie Hall, New York, in April 1955.
The programme begins with some of Gigli's early 78 rpm records of operatic arias, duets and ensembles, made up to the middle of the 1930s. Then come extracts from the recordings of complete operas that Gigli made from 1934 onwards, starting with highlights from one of his most famous roles, the tragic clown Canio in Pagliacci by Leoncavallo.
Then come further extracts from Gigli's famous complete recordings of La Bohème, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, Cavalleria rusticana, Andrea Chénier and Un ballo in maschera, followed by more solo recordings from 1940 onwards, climaxing with a spectacular `Nessun dorma' made in 1949.
Gigli's honeyed tone and his ability to infuse his singing with a great deal of light and shade made him a perfect interpreter of songs, including Neapolitan and Italian popular songs as well as classic ballads. CDs 5 and 6 present a wide selection of this repertoire including such popular titles as `'O sole mio', `La danza', `Mattinata' and `La paloma'.
The final CD begins with some of Gigli's last recordings of popular songs, including the delightful `Papaveri e papere' (`Poppies and ducks') and ends with a live recording of Gigli's farewell concert to an adoring audience at Carnegie Hall, New York, in April 1955 that includes a generous selection of operatic arias and songs from his extensive repertoire.
