The Very Best of Beniamino Gigli

Benjamino Gigli (Artist), Giuseppe Verdi (Composer), Gaetano Donizetti (Composer), Charles Gounod (Composer), Jules Massenet (Composer), Giacomo Puccini (Composer), Ruggero Leoncavallo (Composer), Pietro Mascagni (Composer), Fromental Halevy (Composer), Francesco Paolo Tosti (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Francesco Paolo Tosti
• Composer: Giuseppe Verdi, Gaetano Donizetti, Charles Gounod, Jules Massenet, Giacomo Puccini, et al.
• Audio CD (September 2, 2003)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B0000A5BXR
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #111,741 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #80 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Featured Performers, A-Z > C to G

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gigli Is A Wonderful Singer!, July 30, 2006

By 

John Boland "John Boland" (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Very Best of Beniamino Gigli (Audio CD)

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.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wholly Likable!!, October 20, 2007

By 

tom h. (Greenport, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Very Best of Beniamino Gigli (Audio CD)

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.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Art of Gigli, March 8, 2007

By 

Steven A. Peterson (Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL)) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Very Best of Beniamino Gigli (Audio CD)

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.