Experience the timeless artistry of Beniamino Gigli, one of Italy's most celebrated tenors, with this exquisite collection of operatic arias and songs. Released in 1959, "L'immortel Gigli" showcases Gigli's remarkable vocal prowess and interpretive depth, featuring a selection of beloved pieces from the opera repertoire.
This album captures Gigli in his later years, yet his voice remains as captivating and expressive as ever. The tracklist spans a variety of operas, including works by Giacomo Puccini, Giuseppe Verdi, and Amilcare Ponchielli, among others. From the heart-wrenching aria "O Mimì tu più non torni" from "La bohème" to the dramatic "Cielo e mar" from "La Gioconda," each track is a testament to Gigli's enduring legacy in the world of opera.
The album also includes a beautiful rendition of "La sérénade," Op. 6, a charming song that highlights Gigli's versatility as a singer. The recording quality, while mono, is remarkably clear, allowing the listener to fully appreciate the nuances of Gigli's performance.
"L'immortel Gigli" is a treasure trove for opera enthusiasts and those discovering the genre for the first time. With a duration of just over 41 minutes, it's a concise yet powerful collection that underscores why Beniamino Gigli remains one of the most revered figures in operatic history.
Martha, Act III: "M'appari Tutt'amor" (Lyonel)Friedrich von Flotow, Bruno Reibold, Bruno Reibold Orchestra, Beniamino Gigli
L'Africaine, Act IV: "Mi batte il cor" (Vasco da Gama)Giacomo Meyerbeer, Rosario Bourdon, Rosario Bourdon Orchestra, Beniamino Gigli
La Gioconda, Act I: "Enzo Grimaldo" (Enzo Grimaldo, Principe di Santafiore)Amilcare Ponchielli, Rosario Bourdon, Rosario Bourdon Orchestra, Beniamino Gigli, Giuseppe De Luca
La Gioconda, Act II: "Cielo e mar" (Enzo Grimaldo)Amilcare Ponchielli, Rosario Bourdon, Rosario Bourdon Orchestra, Beniamino Gigli
La sérénade, Op. 6Enrico Toselli, Josef Pasternack, Josef Pasternack Orchestra, Beniamino Gigli
La bohème, Act IV: "In un coupé" - Aria. "O Mimì tu più non torni" (Rodolfo, Marcello)Giacomo Puccini, Rosario Bourdon, Rosario Bourdon Orchestra, Beniamino Gigli, Giuseppe De Luca
La forza del destino, Act III: "Solenne in quest'ora" (Don Carlo di Vargas, Don Alvaro)Giuseppe Verdi, Rosario Bourdon, Rosario Bourdon Orchestra, Beniamino Gigli, Giuseppe De Luca
Les Pêcheurs de perles, Act I: "O Durga" (Nadir, Zurga)Georges Bizet, Rosario Bourdon, Rosario Bourdon Orchestra, Beniamino Gigli, Giuseppe De Luca
Lucia di Lammermoor, Act III: "Lucia" (Coro, Sir Edgardo di Ravenswood, Raimondo Bidebent)Gaetano Donizetti, Giulio Setti, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Beniamino Gigli, Ezio Pinza, Metropolitan Opera Chorus
Lucia di Lammermoor, Act III: "Tu che a Dio" (Sir Edgardo di Ravenswood, Raimondo Bidebent, Coro)Gaetano Donizetti, Giulio Setti, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Beniamino Gigli, Ezio Pinza, Metropolitan Opera Chorus