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| | The Very Best of Beniamino Gigli | | | Music Style : | | General | | Record Label : | | EMI Classics | | Release Date : | | 2003-09-02 | | Discs : | | 2 | | Store Price : | | $16.98 | | Artistopia's Price: $14.99 | | Usually ships in 24 hours | | |
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CD Tracks/Songs
Disc 11. Aida, opera: Act 1. Se quel guerrieri io fossi...Celeste Aida
2. Rigoletto, opera: Act 3. La donna è mobile
3. L'elisir d'amore, opera: Act 2. Una furtiva lagrima
4. Faust, opera: Act 3. Qual turbamento...Salve dimora
5. Manon, opera in 5 acts: Act 2. O dolce incanto...Chiuder gli occhi
6. La bohème, opera: Act 1. Che gelida manina
7. Tosca, opera: Act 1. Recondita armonia
8. Tosca, opera: Act 3. E lucevan le stelle
9. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 1. Dovunque al mondo
10. Pagliacci, opera: Act 1. Recitar!...Vesti la giubba
11. Cavalleria rusticana, opera (melodramma) in 1 act: Intanto amici, qua...Viva il vino spumeggiante
12. Cavalleria rusticana, opera (melodramma) in 1 act: Mamma, quel vino è generoso
13. Isabeau, opera (leggenda drammatica) in 3 acts: Act 2. Non colombelle!...Ah! Tu ch'odi lo mio grido
14. Manon Lescaut, opera: Act 3. Che avvien?...Ah! non v'avvicinate...No! Pazzo son!
15. Stabat mater for 2 sopranos, tenor, bass, chorus & orchestra: Cujus animam
16. Panis angelicus for tenor, organ, harp, cello & bass
17. Requiem Mass, for soloists, chorus & orchestra (Manzoni Requiem): Ingemisco
18. Ellens Gesang III ('Ave Maria'), song for voice & piano, D. 839 (Op. 52/6)
19. Core 'ngrato (Catari), for voice & orchestra
20. Funiculì Funiculà, for voice & orchestra (& chorus ad lib)
Disc 21. O sole mio, for voice & piano (or orchestra)
2. La Serenata for voice & piano/orchestra
3. La danza. Tarantella Napolitana ('Già la luna è in mezzo al mare'), for voice & piano (Soirées musicales)
4. Aprile for voice & piano (or orchestra)
5. Mattinata ('L'aurora di bianco vestita'), song for voice & piano (or orchestra)
6. Torna a Surriento, for voice & piano (or orchestra)
7. L'Ultima Canzone for voice & piano/orchestra
8. La forza del destino, opera: Act 3. La vita è inferno...O tu che in seno
9. L'Arlesiana, opera: Act 2. È la solita storia del pastor
10. Andrea Chénier, opera: Act 1. Un dì all'azzurro spazio
11. Andrea Chénier, opera: Act 3. Andrea Chénier...Corragio!...Sì, fui soldato
12. Andrea Chénier, opera: Act 4. Come un bel dì di maggio
13. Un ballo in maschera, opera: Act 1. Di' tu se fedele
14. Un ballo in maschera, opera: Act 3. Forse la soglia attinse...Ma se m' è forza perderti
15. La Juive, opera: Act 4. Rachel, quand du Seigneur
16. Le Roi d'Ys, opera in 3 acts: Act 3. Puisqu'on ne peut fléchir...Vainement, ma bien-aimée
17. Manon, opera in 5 acts: Act 3. Io son sol...Ah! dispar, vision
18. Werther, lyric drama in 4 acts: Act 3. Ah! non mi ridestar
19. L'elisir d'amore, opera: Act 1. Quanto è bella
20. Turandot, opera: Act 3. Nessun dorma
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Customer Reviews of This Album/CD |
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 This is the first Gigli album I heard
Submitted on: 2009-05-31 |
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My ex bought me this album in Little Italy more than 30 years ago, and after listening to it I decided if there is reincarnation I want to come back as an Italian tenor.
Although Beniamino Gigli died in 1957, his singing continues to bring joy and pleasure into the world.
Also check out his album of Neopolitan songs
The Very Best Of Neopolitan Songs - 'O Sole Mio
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Wholly Likable!!
Submitted on: 2007-10-20 |
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| I bought this compilation along with "The Very Best of Franco Corelli" because of the low price tag. I was highly anticipating Corelli's superpowered renditions of my favorites but it turns out that THIS compilation was the better shopping decision. Though Gigli seems to add certain inflections and high notes in places where one wouldn't normally expect, he makes it seem as if the songs were written that way(maybe they were). Gigli's voice soars above the outdated recording equipment used to capture it. He sings with sweetness and power, a rare combination. The religious and italian party songs are gems and the "Nessun Dorma" is done well even though he was at the end of his career. Gigli is always called "a worthy successor to Caruso" or "the best since Caruso". After hearing this compilation I don't know why he is not in a class by himself. |
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The Art of Gigli
Submitted on: 2007-03-09 |
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After Caruso's death, Beniamino Gigli became one of the most renowned tenors in the world. His rich voice well justified his reputation. While some of his mannerisms (the little "cries" and "catches" in his voice) can be a bit overdone, they were not atypical of the time. A few reactions to specific cuts.
"Celeste Aida" from Verdi's opera is smoothly sung; his rich voice serves to good effect. As already noted, the little "cries" are unfortunate, but hardly an issue. His higher notes flow smoothly from lower ones, in a seamless fashion. It would have been nice to hear him try for the piano at the end, but he did not choose to do so. Any way you slice it, a nice version of a glorious aria.
"La donna e mobile" is taken at a rather slow pace. It is smoothly sung but does not really catch the spirit of the wretched Duke. He shows wonderful breath control. This is more a workmanlike than scintillating version. On the other hand, "Che gelida manina" is wonderful. Smooth, elegant singing. A very well done high note. An iconic version.
The twin arias from "Tosca," "Recondita armonia" and "E lucevan le stelle" are very well executed. His rendering of the final "la vita" in the latter aria is, again, noteworthy.
And now for something completely different. . . . "Funiculi funicula" is spritely sung, in good spirits, and it is a lot of fun! Most enjoyable. "O Sole mio," likewise, is well rendered. As previously noted, some "off putting" cries, but the warm, full voice more than makes up for such mannerisms. He does not overpower this song with operatic technique. The end result is most satisfying.
"La danza" befuddled the great Caruso (in his version, his breathing fell apart at one point). But not Gigli. Well sung, good breath control. Bravo Gigli!
Back to opera. . . . "Nessun dorma" is well sung. The vocalization is smooth. Gigli's voice soars over orchestra and other voices. The final "Vincero" rings out.
While this CD is not without some questions, as noted above, it is worth 5 stars for its full portrayal of the work of Gigli. As such, it can be recommended for anyone who wants a comprehensive introduction to this singer.
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Gigli Is A Wonderful Singer!
Submitted on: 2006-07-31 |
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It's an honor for me to be "the first" to review this recording for Amazon. As "opera lovers" know, Gigli was "the greatest tenor in the world" for many years after the death of Caruso. If you haven't heard Gigli, a great treat is in store for you! He had "penache" and drama in the way he sang. Plus he had a beautiful tonal quality! I could go on and on but if you "pass this guy up" you'll be missing some beautiful and dramatic singing from a "world class" singing actor.
Besides listening to Gigli on Cd, you'd be doing yourself a favor to buy a movie in which Gigli appears and sings. The movie is called "Non Ti Scordar di Me". I'll try to find it on amazon or from "The Bel Canto Society" and give it a "review" also. It's an "old movie" but it has a VERY touching story, is well acted, and you get to see and hear Gigli which is a great treat since he has been gone for at least 50 years. He "comes alive" in this CD and in the movie. You will "thrill" to the sound of his voice. Enjoy! Email:boland7214@aol. |
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