Beniamino Gigli (Heroes)

1. Rigoletto, opera La donna è mobile
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Beniamino Gigli
Conducted by Franco Ghione

2. L'elisir d'amore, opera Una furtiva lagrima
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Performed by Alessandro Scarlatti Orchestra (Naples) with Beniamino Gigli
Conducted by Sir John Barbirolli

3. La bohème, opera Che gelida manina
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Beniamino Gigli
Conducted by Umberto Berretoni

4. Tosca, opera Recondita armonia
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by Rome Opera Theater Orchestra with Beniamino Gigli , Giulio Tomei
Conducted by Oliviero de Fabritiis

5. Tosca, opera E lucevan le stelle
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by Rome Opera Theater Orchestra with Beniamino Gigli
Conducted by Oliviero de Fabritiis

6. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera Dovunque al mondo
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by Rome Opera Theater Orchestra with Mario Jr. Basiola , Beniamino Gigli
Conducted by Oliviero de Fabritiis

7. Manon Lescaut, opera Che awien?!...Ah! non v'awicinate...No! Pazzo son!
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by Alessandro Scarlatti Orchestra (Naples) with Beniamino Gigli , Giuseppe Noto
Conducted by Umberto Berrettoni

8. Pagliacci, opera Recitar!...Vesti la giubba
Composed by Ruggiero Leoncavallo
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Beniamino Gigli
Conducted by Franco Ghione

9. Cavalleria rusticana, opera in 1 act Intanto amici, qua...Viva il vino spumeggiante
Composed by Pietro Mascagni
with Beniamino Gigli , Giulietta Simionato , Maria Marcucci
Conducted by Pietro Mascagni

10. Cavalleria rusticana, opera in 1 act Mamma, quel vino è generoso
Composed by Pietro Mascagni
with Beniamino Gigli , Giulietta Simionato , Maria Marcucci
Conducted by Pietro Mascagni

11. Isabeau, opera Non colombelle!...Ah! Tu ch'odi lo mio grido
Composed by Pietro Mascagni
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Beniamino Gigli
Conducted by Umberto Berrettoni

12. Andrea Chénier, opera Un di all'azzurro spazio
Composed by Umberto Giordano
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Gino Bechi , Maria Caniglia , Gino Conti , Beniamino Gigli , Giuseppe Taddei
Conducted by Umberto Berrettoni

13. Andrea Chénier, opera Andrea Chénier...Coraggio!...Sì, fui soldato
Composed by Umberto Giordano
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Gino Bechi , Maria Caniglia , Gino Conti , Beniamino Gigli , Giuseppe Taddei
Conducted by Umberto Berrettoni

14. Andrea Chénier, opera Come un bel dì di maggio
Composed by Umberto Giordano
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Gino Bechi , Maria Caniglia , Gino Conti , Beniamino Gigli , Giuseppe Taddei
Conducted by Umberto Berrettoni

15. Un ballo in maschera, opera Di' tu se fedele
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Rome Opera Theater Orchestra & Chorus with Beniamino Gigli
Conducted by Tullio Serafin

16. Un ballo in maschera, opera Forse la soglia attinse...Ma se m'è forza perderti
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Rome Opera Theater Orchestra & Chorus with Beniamino Gigli
Conducted by Tullio Serafin

17. Le Roi d'Ys, opera in 3 acts Puisqu'on ne peut fléchir...Vainement, ma bien aimée
Composed by Edouard Lalo
Performed by Royal Opera House Orchestra Covent Garden with Beniamino Gigli
Conducted by Rainaldo Zamboni

18. Manon, opera lo son sol...Ah! despar, vision
Composed by Jules Massenet
Performed by Royal Opera House Orchestra Covent Garden with Beniamino Gigli
Conducted by Rainaldo Zamboni

19. Werther, opera Ah! non mi ridestar
Composed by Jules Massenet
Performed by Royal Opera House Orchestra Covent Garden with Beniamino Gigli
Conducted by Rainaldo Zamboni

20. L'elisir d'amore, opera Quanto è bella
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra with Beniamino Gigli
Conducted by Stanford Robinson

21. Turandot, opera Nessun dorma
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by Philharmonia Chorus and Orchestra with Beniamino Gigli
Conducted by Stanford Robinson

Beniamino Gigli (Heroes),Gino Bechi,Giulio Tomei,Giuseppe Noto,Giuseppe Taddei,Mario Jr. Basiola,Gino Conti,Gaetano Donizetti,Umberto Giordano,Edouard Lalo,Ruggero Leoncavallo,Pietro Mascagni,Jules Massenet,Giacomo Puccini,Giuseppe Verdi,Franco Ghione,Oliviero de Fabritiis,Pietro Mascagni,Rainaldo Zamboni,Sir John Barbirolli,Stanford Robinson,Tullio Serafin,Umberto Berretoni,Umberto Berrettoni,Giulietta Simionato,Maria Marcucci,Alessandro Scarlatti Orchestra of Naples,L'Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala,Philharmonia Chorus and Orchestra,Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus,Philharmonia Orchestra of London,Rome Opera Theater Orchestra,Rome Opera Theater Orchestra & Chorus,Royal Opera House Orchestra Covent Garden,Maria Caniglia,Beniamino Gigli,Angel Records,Classical,Classical Artists,Classical Music,Classical Vocals,French Romantic Opera,Italian Romantic Opera,Opera

Average customer rating: The Art of Gigli Gigli Is A Wonderful Singer!

The Very Best of Beniamino Gigli Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Franck, César | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Lalo, Edouard | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Gigli, Beniamino | ( G ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Donizetti, Gaetano | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Giordano, Umberto | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Gounod, Charles | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cardillo, Salvatore | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Franck, Cesar | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Denza, Luigi | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Capua, Eduardo di | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Curtis, Ernesto de | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cilea, Francesco | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Mascagni, Pietro | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Massenet, Jules | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Puccini, Giacomo | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Rossini, Gioacchino | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Halevy, Fromental | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Lalo, Edward | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Very Best of Franco Corelli Carlo Bergonzi - The Sublime Voice ~ 40 Tracks from the Legendary Tenor The Very Best of Giuseppe di Stefano Beniamino Gigli: Historical Recordings 1927 - 1951 Artists Of The Century - Jussi Bjorling, The Ultimate Collection ASIN: B0000A5BXR Release Date: 2003-09-02

Tracks:

1. Se Quel Guerrier Io Fossi...Celeste Aida
2. La Donna E Mobile
3. Una Furtiva Lagrima
4. Qual Turbamento...Salve Dimora
5. O Dolce Incanto...Chiuder Gli Occhi
6. Che Gelida Manina
7. Recondita Armonia
8. E Lucevan Le Stelle
9. Dovunque Al Mondo
10. Recitar!...Vesti La Giubba
11. Intanto Amici, Qua...Viva Il Vino Spumeggiante
12. Mamma, Quel Vino E Generoso
13. Non Colombelle!...Ah! Tu Ch'Odi Lo Mio Grido
14. Che Avvien?...Ah! Non V'Avvicinate...No! Pazzo Son!
15. Cujus Animam
16. Panis Angelicus
17. Ingemisco
18. Ave Maria
19. Core 'Ngrato
20. Funiculi, Funicula - Chorus

Tracks:

1. 'O Sole Mio
2. La Serenata
3. La Danza
4. Aprile
5. Mattinata
6. Torna A Surriento
7. L'Ultima Canzone
8. La Vita E Inferno...O Tu Che In Seno
9. E La Solita Storia Del Pastor
10. Un Di All'Azzurro Spazio
11. Andrea Chenier...Corragio!...Si, Fui Soldato
12. Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio
13. Di' Tu Se Fedele
14. Forse La Soglia Attinse...Ma Se M' E Forza Perderti
15. Rachel, Quand Du Seigneur
16. Puisqu'on Ne Peut Flechir...Vainement, Ma Bien-Aimee
17. Io Son Sol...Ah! Dispar, Vision
18. Ah! Non Mi Ridestar
19. Quanto E Bella - Chorus
20. Nessun Dorma - Chorus

Customer Reviews:

The Art of Gigli.......2007-03-09

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.

Gigli Is A Wonderful Singer!.......2006-07-31

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.

Average customer rating:

Beniamino Gigli: Historical Recordings 1927 - 1951 Manufacturer: Gala ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Gigli, Beniamino | ( G ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Donizetti, Gaetano | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Giordano, Umberto | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Handel, George Frideric | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Halevy, Fromental | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Mascagni, Pietro | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Massenet, Jules | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Puccini, Giacomo | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Very Best of Beniamino Gigli Mario del Monaco: Historical Recordings 1950 - 60 The Very Best of Franco Corelli The Legendary Enrico Caruso: 21 Favorite Arias Prima Voce: Beniamino Gigli Vol. I ASIN: B000001XLX Release Date: 2000-06-06

Tracks:

1. Rigoletto: Bella Figlia Dell'Amore
2. Les pecheurs de perles: Mi Par D'udir Ancora
3. Xerxes: Fronde Tenere... Ombra Mai Fu
4. Lelisir d'amore': Una Furtiva Lagrima
5. I Pagliacci: No, Pagliaccio Non Son!
6. Cavalleria Rusticana: Mamma Quel Vino E Generoso
7. Andrea Chenier: Si Fui Soldato
8. TOSCA: E Lucevan Le Stelle
9. Carmen: Il Fior Che Avevi A Me
10. Aida: Se Quel Querrier
11. La Boheme: O Soave Fanciulla
12. Don Giovanni: Il Mio Tesoro Intanto
13. Il Trovatore: Di Quella Pira
14. La forza del destino: La Vita E Inferno All'infinito O Tu Che In Seno Agli Angeli
15. Andrea Chenier: Come Un Bel Di Maggio
16. La Juive: Rachel, Quand Du Seigneur
17. Werther: Ah! Non Mi Ridestar
18. Otello: Gia Nella Notte Densa

Average customer rating:

Beniamino Gigli (Box) [Germany] Beniamino Gigli Manufacturer: Artone ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Gigli, Beniamino | ( G ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B0009F2FAE Release Date: 2006-04-27

Tracks:

1. O Del Mio Dolce Ardor - Paride Et Elena
2. Dalla Sua Pace Il Mio Tesoro - Don Giovanni
3. Cujus Animam - Stabat Mater
4. La Danza
5. Spirito Gentil - La Favorita
6. Tombe Degl'avi Miei...Fra Poco A Me Ricovero - Lucia Di Lammermoor
7. Quanto E Bella, Quanto E Cara/Una Furtiva Lagrima - L'elisir D'amore
8. Ah, Non Credevi Tu - Mignon
9. Qual Turbamento In Cor...Salve Dimora Casta E Pura - Faust
10. Cielo E Mar - La Gioconda
11. Mi Par D'udir Ancor/Del Tempio Allimitar - Les Pecheurs De Perles
12. Qual Occhiata E Quel'aria Sfrontata...Ah! Mi Parla Da Lei...-Carmen
13. Giunto Sul Passo Estremo Dai Campi, Dai Parti - Mefistofele
14. O Dolce Incanto - Manon
15. Santa Lucia
16. O Del Mio Amato Ben
17. Mattinata
18. Solo Per Te Lucia, Mamma
19. Occhi Di Fata
20. Funicilli, Funicula
21. Core'ngrato
22. Rondine Al Nido
23. Addio Bel Sogno
24. Ti Voglio Tante Bene
25. Triste Maggio
26. Notte D'amore
27. La Serenata
28. Marechiare
29. L' Ultima Canzone
30. Aprile
31. Sefreto
32. La Donna E Mobile -Rigoletto
33. Lunge Da Lei ... De'miei Bollenti Spiriti Ah Si Da Un Anno... -La Traviata
34. Di Quella Pira/ Se M'ami Ancor...Ai Nostri Monti Ritorneremo - Il Trovatore
35. Solenne In Quest'ora/La Vita E Inferno All'infelice.. - La Forza Del Destino
36. S'avanza Il Conte...La Rivedra Nell'estasi/Di Tu Se Fedele - Un Ballo In Mascher
37. E Scherzo Od E Follia/Teco Io Sto/ Non Sai Tu Che... - Un Ballo In Maschera
38. Se Quel Guerrier Io Fossi ..Celeste Aida/Gia I Sacerdoti . - Aida
39. Dammi I Colori...Recondita Armonia/E Lucevan Le Stelle/O Dolci Mani... - Tosca
40. Non Sono In Vena - La Boheme
41. Che Gelida Manina - La Boheme
42. O Soave Fanciulla - La Boheme
43. Marcello Finalemente! - La Boheme
44. Dunque E Propio Finita? - La Boheme
45. In Un Coupe? - La Boheme
46. Che Avvien?Ah, Non Vi Avvicinate...No! Pazzo Son! - Manon Lescaut
47. E La Solita Storia - L'arlesiana
48. Vedi Io Piango/Amor Ti Vieta - Fedora
49. Un Di All' Azzurro - Andrea Chenier
50. Ora Soave Sublime Ora D'amore! - Andrea Chenier
51. Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio - Andrea Chenier
52. Vicino A Te S'acqueta - Andrea Chenier
53. Recitar!...Vesti La Giubba - Il Pagliacci
54. No, Pagliaccio Non Son! - Il Pagliacci
55. O Lola, Ch'ai Di Latti La Cammisa - Cavalleria Rusticana
56. Intanto Amici, Qua Beviamone Un Bicciere - Cavalleria Rusticana

Average customer rating: Ruffo- The Voice of the Lion!

Prima Voce: Ruffo Manufacturer: Nimbus Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Thomas | Thomas, Ambroise | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Muzio De Luca: Prima Voce Titta Ruffo Edition Giacomo Lauri-Volpi Nimbus Prima Voce: Tibbett ASIN: B0000037JB Release Date: 1992-12-02

Tracks:

1. Amleto: O Vin, Discaccia La Tristezza
2. La Traviata: Di Provenza
3. La Gioconda: O Monumenta!
4. La Gioconda: Ah! Pescator
5. Pagliacci: Si Puo?
6. Zaza: Buona Zaza!
7. Zaza: Zaza, Picola Zingara
8. Non Penso A Lei
9. La Favorita: Vien, Leonora
10. Thais: Ecco Dunque
11. Otello: Credo
12. Otello: Era La Notte
13. Otello: Si, Pel Ciel
14. Nabucco: Tremin Gl'Insani
15. L'Africana: All' Erta, Marinar!
16. Un Ballo In Maschera: Eri Tu
17. Tosca: Gia, Mi Dicon Venal
18. Il Barbiere Di Siviglia: Largo Al Facatum
19. Rigoletto: Pari Siamo
20. Falstaff: Quand' Ero Paggio
21. La Gioconda: Enzo Grimaldo

Customer Reviews:

Ruffo- The Voice of the Lion!.......2001-09-15

This CD is an excellent introduction to the voice of one of the greatest singers ever to grace the operatic stage. The transfers are excellent, and I can guarantee that you won't have a `drop out' of the voice here, as happens on some `live' recordings, many of which seem to be done by people holding the microphone under their coats. The sound is what one can expect from the beginning of the century, as far as the accompaniments go. (Yes, they do sound weak and muffled.) The voice is crystal clear, however, and shows why many people think of Ruffo's voice as the greatest baritone of all time.
I personally cannot speak for the era before recording, but any accounts we have of any singers on records shows Ruffo to be unique. Was it the largest baritone voice? I don't know; one critic claims Domenico Viglione Borghese had a larger voice. I have heard a few of Borghese's recordings, and the man had an awesome voice. He also sang in an exciting fashion, with emotion and conviction. However, judging from the recordings, Ruffo had a richer voice, and an almost relaxed mode of singing, which is almost paradoxical when one thinks about it. (Listen to his little song from Verdi's Falstaff.) His Credo from Verdi's Otello, old as it is, reaches out and grabs the listener by the throat. (This is not one of those old recording where you'll barely be able to hear the singer. Ruffo's voice dominates the environment here, and I'm talking about your listening environment. Only Sherrill Milnes, among modern singers, comes at all close to Ruffo's savagery here, and even with a full orchestra backing him, there isn't half the presence. And Milnes had one of the most awesome voices I've ever heard.) That's followed by the Dream, which is a masterpiece of insinuating, serpentine evil, as Iago pours his poison drop by drop into Otello's ear. What follows? The justly celebrated vengeance duet with Enrico Caruso. What power! And what sheer insane anger! Among modern recordings there are only two I've heard which come close: Del Monaco with Leonard Warren (This is from one of the Metropolitan Opera's premiums.) and Jon Vickers with Tito Gobbi from the classic Serafin conducted recording, with Leonie Rysanek as Desdemona.
In Tremin Glinsani from Nabucco, Ruffo takes two parts; Zaccaria, the priest, and Nabucco himself. If anyone out there has heard anyone else come close to Ruffo's singing of Nabucco's aside here, let me know. I've heard Capuccili, Gobbi, and Juan Pons. What about Scarpia's aria from Tosca? The police chief's carnality and evil are on display here, with stunning power.
All'erta Marinar from Meyerbeer's L'Africaine is a showpiece for Ruffo's voice. The full range is on display here, from his rather weak lower voice, to a ringing sustained high A natural that has to be heard to be believed. This aria, in Ruffo's hands, can leave your ears ringing. And it all sounds so easy! The older Ruffo voice is displayed on the only electrical recording available on this CD; Enzo Grimaldo, with the great Beniamino Gigli. This is my favorite version of this duet, even though Ruffo's voice does sound a little worn by the years. Barnaba is an evil man, and one can feel the evil oozing out, as if under pressure. For those who like La Gioconda, there are also Ruffo's O Monumento and Pescator, which are sung in his prime. The richness of tone and variety of color on display here have never ceased to astound me.
Ruffo was not just a loud singer. He had many moments when he sang in half voice, which was very light and tenorish. I would not care to listen to him if he was only a bellower, believe me. Don't expect to be lulled to sleep here however; this man is not Perry Como. Expect to be astounded and moved. For further listening, get the CD's on which Ruffo sings Rigoletto, with Galvany and Pareto, and Ambroise Thomas' Hamlet. Even though the accompaniments sound rather primitive, given the limitations of the horn they had to sing and play into back then, the voices are clear and very exciting. For similar voices? Gino Bechi comes close, in terms of style, and the man is an exciting performer. Mattia Battistini had a similar type of voice (glorious top, small lower notes) and a snarling delivery. If you like Ruffo, and don't know about these two, give them a try. In more recent times, we have the beautiful and awe inspiring voice of Sherrill Milnes. This man sounds a little like Ruffo, with Leonard Warren mixed in. Try his Rigoletto, Iago, and Figaro from Rossini's Barber of Seville for a great deal of gorgeous singing.
Back to Ruffo; if you like his work in opera, try him out in the popular songs of his day. Maria Mari should be heard by anyone interested in the genre.

Average customer rating: The Greatest Pagliacci EVER

Prima Voce: Beniamino Gigli Vol. I Manufacturer: Nimbus Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Boito, Arrigo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Flotow | Flotow, Friedrich von | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Lalo, Edouard | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Gigli, Beniamino | ( G ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Boito, Arrigo | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Buzzi-Peccia, Arturo | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Catalani, Alfredo | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Donizetti, Gaetano | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Giordano, Umberto | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Gounod, Charles | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Denza, Luigi | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Flotow, Friedrich von | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Curtis, Ernesto de | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Mascagni, Pietro | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Meyerbeer, Giacomo | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Ponchielli, Amilcare | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Puccini, Giacomo | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Saint-Saens, Camille | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Lalo, Edward | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Beniamino Gigli, Vol. 2 Ponselle Prima Voce Beniamino Gigli: Historical Recordings 1927 - 1951 The Very Best of Beniamino Gigli ASIN: B0000037J8 Release Date: 1992-12-02

Tracks:

1. La Gioconda: Cielo E Mar
2. O Surdato 'Nnammurato
3. Mefistofele: Dai Campi, Dai Prati
4. Mefistofele: Giunto Sul Passo Estremo
5. Tosca: Recondita Armonia
6. Tosca: E Lucevan Le Stelle
7. Tosca: O Dolci Mani
8. La Favorita: Spirto Gentil
9. Faust: Salve, Dimora Casta E Pura
10. Iris: Apri La Tu Finestra
11. Tu Sola
12. Notturno D'Amor
13. Le Roi D'ys: Vainement Ma Bien Aimee
14. Pagliacci: Vesti La Giubba
15. Andrea Chenier: Un Di All' Azzurro Spazio
16. Andrea Chenier: Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio
17. L'Africana: O Paradiso
18. Loreley: Nel Verde Maggio
19. II Canto Del Cigno
20. Marta: M'appari Tutto Amor
21. Povero Pulcinella
22. Funiculi Funicula

Customer Reviews:

The Greatest Pagliacci EVER.......2001-01-14

Many people are born to sing, but few are born to sing like the angels. Beniamino Gigli is truly the most remarkable tenor of this century. While he peformed on both sides of the Atlantic, in New York, London, Italy, and Germany for nearly his entire career, he remained loyal to his family, friends, colleagues, and record company with little ego and great warmth. Above all else, his voice had a lyrical quality that remains unique, even in the age of the three tenors. Pagliacci was his signature role, and performed it with such abandon, that it took a toll on his voice over the years, but the 1922 recording on this CD is him doing what he does best. The 1923 'M'appari tutto amor' is also very nice.

Get this along with volume 2, and settle back for a real treat.

Average customer rating: The Requiem by which all others are measured It's about the singers

Verdi: Requiem Manufacturer: Pearl ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B000000WPN Release Date: 1995-05-23

Tracks:

1. Requiem And Kyrie: Requiem
2. Requiem And Kyrie: Kyrie
3. Sequence (Dies irae): Dies irae
4. Sequence (Dies irae): Tuba mirum
5. Sequence (Dies irae): Mors stupebit
6. Sequence (Dies irae): Liber scriptus
7. Sequence (Dies irae): Dies irae
8. Sequence (Dies irae): Quid sum miser
9. Sequence (Dies irae): Rex tremendae
10. Sequence (Dies irae): Recordare
11. Sequence (Dies irae): Ingemisco
12. Sequence (Dies irae): Confutatis
13. Sequence (Dies irae): Dies irae
14. Sequence (Dies irae): Lacrymosa
15. Offertorio: Domine Jesu Christe
16. Offertorio: Hostias
17. Sanctus
18. Agnus Dei
19. Lux aeterna
20. Libera Me: Libera me, Domine
21. Libera Me: Dies irae
22. Libera Me: Requiem
23. Libera Me: Libera me, Domine

Amazon.com

Verdi's late masterpiece is a titanic explosion of dread and hope requiring world-class singers, a virtuoso orchestra, and a sympathetic conductor. This classic performance, recorded in 1940, meets more of those stringent mandates than most of its rivals. Ebe Stignani and Ezio Pinza have never been equaled, Beniamino Gigli's tenor is melting, and Maria Caniglia's high-powered dramatic soprano completes the best foursome on records. Conductor Tullio Serafin, usually the perfect Verdian, stints on the devotional aspect of the score and risks a speeding ticket in the rest, and the chorus is mushy. But who cares with solo singing of this caliber? Still my favorite Requiem.--Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

The Requiem by which all others are measured.......2005-10-08

This Verdi Requiem is the pinnacle of greatness. Serafin and this majestic quartet of soloists is the one by which all others are measured. Although the sound is grainy (1939) the voices are simply the best; listen to Gigli's unforgettable "Ingemisco" and Pinza's glorious baritone in everything he sings. Anyone who loves and respects Verdi's music needs to have this recording in his or her collection.

It's about the singers.......2002-11-23

The sound quality is fine for its period, the conductor has the orchestra well under control (though often a bit too brisk), but really this Verdi Requiem stands out for the singers. The are all in top form and there is no other recording of this requiem that can begin to match the vocal rewards.

Average customer rating: Beniamino Gigli as he ought to be treated Possibly the Tenor of the Century!

Beniamino Gigli, Vol. 2 Manufacturer: Nimbus Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gluck | Gluck, Christoph W. | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Thomas | Thomas, Ambroise | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Gigli, Beniamino | ( G ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Donizetti, Gaetano | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Gluck, Christoph W. | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Gounod, Charles | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cilea, Francesco | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Massenet, Jules | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Ponchielli, Amilcare | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Puccini, Giacomo | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Thomas, Ambroise | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Prima Voce: Beniamino Gigli Vol. I The Very Best of Beniamino Gigli Beniamino Gigli: Historical Recordings 1927 - 1951 ASIN: B0000037JI Release Date: 1992-12-02

Tracks:

1. L 'eliser D' Amore/quanto E Bella, Quanto E Cara
2. L 'Elisir S'Amore/Una Furtiva Largrima
3. Monon Lescaut/Donna Non Vidi Mai
4. La Forza Del Destino/Solenne In Quest' Ora
5. Lucia Di Lammermoor/Tombe Degl'Avi Miei...Fra Poco A Me Ricovero
6. La Traviata/Lunge Da 'Ei...De' Miei Bollenti Spiriti
7. Mignon/Ah, Non Credevi Tu
8. I Pescatori Di Perle/Del Tempio Al Limitar
9. I Pescatori Di Perle/Mi Par D' Udir Ancora
10. La Gioconda/Cielo E Mar
11. Manon/ O Dolce Incanto
12. La Boheme/Che Gelida Manina
13. Faust/Salve Dimora Casta E Pura
14. Sadko/Chanson Hindoue
15. Tosca/E Lucevan Le Stelle
16. Rigoletto/La Donna E' Mobile
17. Paride Ed Elena/O Del Mio Dolce Ardor
18. L' Arlesiana/E La Solita Storia
19. Amarilli

Customer Reviews:

Beniamino Gigli as he ought to be treated.......2005-08-26

I won't try to make the case for Gigli's operatic singing. He's far too well known and debated amongst opera-lovers for me to add anything. I do want to offer a comment or two on this recording, however.

I was very pleasantly surprised at the quality of the transfer which Nimbus Records manages. As is well known, they built a special apparatus for playing such old 78 rpm records as the ones this CD used as source material. Perhaps their pains have never been so well rewarded as in this case. The transfers strike me as being among the best I've heard from 20's & 30's era recordings. (They were electrical, at least, and not the older acoustic types.)

Three cheers to Nimbus for these excellent transfers!

The selection this CD offers, is also, I think, outstanding. Most of these arias are among the very most popular tenor highlights, so it is easy to compare Gigli's performances with those of others. (I believe all the pieces are operatic arias except for the last one, which seems to be an art-song.)

The liner notes are informative and well-written, focussing on Gigli's very distinguished and pretty long career. They also discuss briefly the individual arias and how they fit into their operas. (We don't get the texts, but these are all pretty familiar, so that shouldn't be a problem.)

Gigli sings these arias in Italian, by the way, even the ones from French operas, like Bizet's "Pearl-Fishers" ("Les Pecheurs de Perles"). That isn't unusual for an Italian tenor, especially of Gigli's era. (Remember, even Jussi Bjoerling did most of his early recordings in Swedish.)

All in all, I'd give this CD a very strong recommendation for those who already love Gigli and for those who want to know what he sounded like. This is a very fine sample, I think.

Possibly the Tenor of the Century!.......2001-01-14

While the recording is as good as can be expected, the voice of Beniamino Gigli must have been delivered to earth by the angels. His ability to take the high notes and deliver them in their purest form is unrivaled by anyone before or after. According to the recording notes, the role of Prince Calaf in Turnadot was written with him in mind. He was a work horse throughout his career, and toward the end his voice showed the signs of the wear and tear inflicted from performance after performance and some of his often critized affectations. But, he was still the best, even at the end.

If you haven't had the pleasure of hearing Gigli before, get this CD along with Volume One, and be prepared to be for a treat!

Average customer rating: Not a bad little recording Golden age Verdi from 1939 Why can't we have a version like this today? A Requiem to have! Verdi - Requiem

Verdi: Requiem Mass Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Massenet: Werther Puccini: Madama Butterfly ASIN: B00005QIRW Release Date: 2001-11-20

Customer Reviews:

Not a bad little recording.......2007-05-16

Firstly, the recoding quality might throw some younger listeners off. This has been established by other reviewers already, so there's no sense in making a big point about this. That being said, the tempo, especially in the Dies Irae, proves to work on an emotional level. The recording was made on August, 1939 and Europe was on a brink of war (Hitler invaded Poland on September 1, 1939), and so given the timing, the recording has an almost emotional rush toward it, as if building for the impending doom that was WWII. Sometimes this rush detracts from the flowering of a line, as in the Quid sum Miser, but makes the "terrifying" sections feel more....well, terrifying. Another example is in the "arioso" sections, which feel way too rushed, as in the opening of the Libera me and subsequent return later. All in all, required performances for any Requiem-files out there, but then again, you probally already have this so... For others, go buy the Shaw version which is by far the most balanced recording between soloist, choir and orchestra. The soloists bring what can only be described as an Italian quality, which some might not like, but hey, it's Verdi, deal with it. The chorus will sometimes be overpowered, or out balanced, but that was probably more of an engineering thing. I found this in a bargin bin for $4.00 new at a CD Warehouse, which made this an incredibile buy.

Golden age Verdi from 1939.......2007-04-23

Tullio Serafin was the artistic director of the Teatro Reale (Rome Opera House) from 1934 to 1943. This historic recording from August 1939 allows us to hear the kind of music this illustrious conductor created with his Rome forces.

First, a word about the recorded sound. The hissing that normally comes with vintage recordings is really not that bad. After the first minute or two, my ears just stopped noticing it. In general, it does not detract much from the music. The only recording fault I would mention is that the chorus sound is sometimes lost during high volume passages involving the soloists.

At 72'47", this may be the fastest single-CD Verdi Requiem on record (by comparison: Ferenc Fricsay - 75'28", Guido Cantelli - 77'29"). However, I noticed only one or two passages that sounded "rushed" to me (the Amen ending of Lacrymosa and the end of Hostias). Overall, though, I thought the tempo distribution throughout the piece made sense: exciting passages stayed exciting, relaxed passages stayed relaxed.

The soloists, like other Verdi Requiem recordings, were high on name recognition, and in general delivered the goods. You will enjoy the fine trio work in Quid sum miser and Lux Aeterna. But there were a few warts.

Maria Caniglia is a dramatic soprano. But while she certainly proved it in her first entrance of the Kyrie, her chant-like opening to the Libera Me seemed out-of-place (the melodramatic sforzandos in the orchestra seemed to be reminding her that she was supposed to sound scared here). She had some noticeable pitch problems, especially in the Recordare duet and the opening of the Agnus Dei. But her high B-flat (sung without portamento) and high C in the Libera Me sequence were right on target.

Ebe Stignani also has a very dramatic sound. But she doesn't blend very well with Caniglia especially in Recordare and Agnus Dei. She also has a biazarre pronunciation problem: she is always pronouncing "e" like "a". Words like aparebit, sedebit, adn remanebit become a-pa-rah-bit, se-dah-bit, and rema-nah-bit. It's not a problem with the score: the other soloists say the same or similar words without the change. For whatever reason, she is not saying the words correctly.

Beniamino Gigli is a legend, of course, and modern opera fans would be remiss not to hear some of his work. Like Caniglia, he also opens the Kyrie with plenty of dramatic verve. His Ingemisco is a real treat. His powerful high notes sound great even with the dated recorded sound. He swoops a lot between notes, but he always does it tastefully. He's a bit sloppy about following the written score, though, as well as with his (sigh) pronunciation (in-jah-misco?).

Listening to Ezio Pinza's lovely voice really does make for "some enchanted evening." This Italian-born bass has a strong sound, not unlike contemporary Verdi Requiem Italians like Furlanetto and Raimondi. The only passage that didn't agree with me was the opening notes of Confutatis which I felt were a little over-articulated. But that was a minor blemish. Overall, I am sure you will enjoy Pinza's work here.

The Rome Opera Chorus is a solid group. The sound engineering unfortunately tends to push them a bit too far into the background at times. But there are plenty of moments where their fine work is front and center. The opening Dies Irae and the Libera Me fugue (taken at a moderate tempo despite the rest of the performance) provide much to impress the ears.

While my comments have sounded very picky about this recording, I would nevertheless be the first to recommend it, especially to Toscanini fans who are interested in other historic recordings of the Verdi Requiem. The sheer immensity of golden age talent that is present here, made available at Naxos' budget price, makes this an album that any collector will prize.

Texts and translations included. The CD is divided into a VERY generous 19 tracks.

Why can't we have a version like this today?.......2006-01-31

Until I saw this at my local Tower Records, I didn't know you could find a 1-CD Verdi Requiem, let alone one breaking the tape at well under 75 minutes.

That said, while I generally agree with the other comments about the Dies Irae, at the same time I found it just a bit rushed, a bit too fast for nuance. Everything else, though, from the clarity of the sound for a 1939 mono, the quality of the soloists, etc. is great.

Now, it's true that the woman tend to get flat in the upper register, but I have to believe that's primarily an artifact of this being a 1939 recording in a cavernous space, and a mono recording to boot.

That said, I'd take this over a lot of stereo versions of later date.

(Oh, and as to the reviewer who favorably compared this to Karajan? I have the 1970 Karajan. Yuck. Flat, muddy tones, slow tempos even by Karajan's standards. Please don't insult this recording by making such a comparison.)

A Requiem to have!.......2004-08-17

I find Caniglia the best on this recording and a superb dramatic artist. She understands Verdi without sounding stylized. Gigli chooses to sob but it seems out of joint in Verdi Requiem, otherwise the voice is what it is...unique and blooming. Serafin goes to the heart of the Requiem. There is sincerity here.

So much of Verdi today lacks accent. One hears "line or ligna" but there are lines within lines and not all lines are straight. If you approach Verdi as a straight line you will fail outright, though only the laymen will know.......to be sure the arches and bumps are what make Verdi's music so intense. Is there a such thing as a "Verdi line"? If so, this recording exemplifies it well.

Verdi - Requiem.......2003-12-20

Oh, wow!! This recording is a great example of what's missing in today's opera world: four great singers who sing like it is the last piece they'll ever perform! OK, so M. Caniglia can't always attack high B in PPPP, but how many sopranos truly can? Her chest voice seems almost surreal in today's world of tweety-bird sopranos. Gigli, as always, does whatever he wants with his voice and sounds gorgeous! Both Pinza and Stignani are top notch! While it is easy to criticize the sound, I think that, given when this piece was recorded, sound engineers did a fantastic job! This album should be preserved to remind us of glory days of Italian singing tradition. It is simply impossible to duplicate this today!

Average customer rating: gigli in his prime

Beniamino Gigli: The Complete Victor Recordings, Vol. 1: 1921-25 Manufacturer: Romophone ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Boito, Arrigo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Flotow | Flotow, Friedrich von | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Lalo, Edouard | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Gigli, Beniamino | ( G ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Boito, Arrigo | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Buzzi-Peccia, Arturo | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Catalani, Alfredo | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Donizetti, Gaetano | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Giordano, Umberto | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Gounod, Charles | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Denza, Luigi | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Capua, Eduardo di | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Flotow, Friedrich von | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Curtis, Ernesto de | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Mascagni, Pietro | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Meyerbeer, Giacomo | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Ponchielli, Amilcare | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Puccini, Giacomo | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Lalo, Edward | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Beniamino Gigli: The Complete Victor Recordings, Vol. 3: 1929-32 Beniamino Gigli: The Complete Victor Recordings, Vol. 2: 1926-28 ASIN: B000001S3Y Release Date: 1996-01-01

Tracks:

1. Mefistofele: Dai Campi, Dai Prati
2. Tosca: Recondita Armonia
3. Tosca: E Lucevan Le Stelle
4. Mefistofele: Giunto Sul Passo Estremo
5. La Gioconda: Cielo E Mar!
6. La Favorite: Spirto Gentil
7. Faust: Salve, Dimora Casta E Pura
8. Iris: Apri La Tua Finestra
9. Tu Sola
10. Santa Lucia Luntana
11. I Million D'Arlecchino: Notturno D'amore
12. Le Roi D'ys: Vainement, Ma Bien Aimee
13. I Pagliacci:Vesti La Giubba
14. Serenata
15. Andrea Chenier: Un Di All'azzurro Spazio
16. Andrea Chenier: Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio
17. Tosca: O Dolci Mani
18. L'Africana: O Paradiso

Tracks:

1. Loreley: Nel Verde Maggio
2. Romeo Et Juliette: Ange Adorable
3. Romeo Et Juliet: Ah, Ne Fuis Pas Encore
4. Canto Del Cigno
5. Martha: M'appari
6. Paquita
7. Fumiculi, Funicula
8. Povero Pulcinella
9. Sentinella
10. Sto Penzanno 'A Maria
11. Come, Love With Me
12. Mandulinata A Napule
13. L'eliser D'Amore: Quanto E Bella
14. Lucia Di Lammermoor: Tombe Degl'avi Miei
15. Lucia Di Lammermoor: Tombe Degl'avi Miei
16. Tu Che A Dio Spiegasti L'aliLucia Di Lammermoor:
17. Good Bye, Marie
18. Quanno 'A Femmena Vo'
19. Maria, Mari

Customer Reviews:

gigli in his prime.......2001-04-21

Gigli went to US in 1920, having made some tonally beautiful but poorly acted acoustics for 'HMV'. Linking to his appearance at the Met, 'Victor' began a long association of recordings both acoustic & electric, and this album from Romophone is the 1st of 3 dealing with this period. Gigli's tone developed to its full during these recs, parallel with some intrusive bad vocal habits - nobody needs to use aspirates at all, and certainly not to the degree of Gigli. The mix on the album balances opera & song. He was one of the best interpreters of Neapolitan songs, having a more ringing style than Schipa and a more affectionate style than Corelli; perhaps di Stefano was a natural successor? On several tracks he has magnificent partners (e.g. Rethberg, Pinza). Some alternative takes are offered, which provide little extra knowledge about the singers, but make things complete. In summary: attractively toned, Italianate singing, if you can ignore his bad habits. The Obert-Thorn transfers are clear, but can sound oversharp with clinical-sounding hardware plus silver-based cabling.

Average customer rating: Much more than "South Pacific"

Pinza Manufacturer: Nimbus Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Thomas | Thomas, Ambroise | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: The God-Given Sound of Ezio Pinza John Charles Thomas in Opera & Song Ezio Pinza III 3 Lebendige Vergangenheit Golden Years of Ezio Pinza Ponselle Prima Voce ASIN: B0000037KV Release Date: 1996-02-02

Tracks:

1. Il Trovatore: Di Due Figli...Abbietta Zingara
2. Lucia Di Lammermoor: Dalle Stanze Ove Lucia
3. La Juive: Si La Rigeur
4. La Juive: Vous Qui Du Dieu Vivant
5. I Puritani: Cinta Di Fiori
6. Faust: Eh Bien! Que T' Ensemble...A Moi Les Plaisirs - Ezio Pinza/Aristodemo Giorgini
7. I Vespri Siciliani: O Patria...O Tu Palermo
8. La Boheme: Vecchia Zimarra
9. Don Carlo: Dormiro Sol Nel Manto Mio Regal
10. Die Zauberflote: O Isis Und Osiris
11. Robert Le Diable: Voici Donc Les Debris...Nonnes, Qui Reposez
12. Mignon: De Son Coeur J' ai Calme (Berceuse)
13. Le Caid: Enfant Cheri...Le Tambour-Major
14. Aida: Possente Ftha - Ezio Pinza/Grace Anthony
15. Aida: Nume Custode E Vindice - Ezio Pinza/Giovanni Martinelli
16. Norma: Ite Sul Colle, O Druidi!
17. Faust: Le Veau D'Or
18. Don Giovanni: Fin Ch' han Dal Vino
19. Don Giovanni: Deh Vieni Alla Finestra
20. Attila: Te Sol Quest' Anima - Ezio Pinza/Elisabeth Rethberg/Beniamino Gigli

Customer Reviews:

Much more than "South Pacific".......2007-07-21

Such is the nature of pop culture that beloved italian opera singer who sang classical music all his life,was upon his death remember chifely for his later Broadway succes,when in fact Broadway was just a short chapter in oterwise dignified and serious career.There is nothing wrong in "South Pacific" of course,but there is so much more to Pinza and this is why "Prima Voce" is important to represent how this thundering bass worked his way from Italy to Metroploitan.Lots of goodies here,my favourite arias from "Don Giovanni" and "Aida",also nice to cmpare his later recordings with very first ones done in Italy with conductor Carlo Sabajno (acoustic! before they started making elctric recordings) apparently his talent was there from the very start.Excellent.

Track Listings:

1. Berg & Bartók: Violin Concertos
2. Berg: Violin Concerto; Three Orchestral Pieces, Op. 6
3. Berlitz Passport: Music of Scandinavia
4. Bloch:Schelomo/Shcumann:Cello Concerto
5. Borodin: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 3; Songs
6. Buxtehude: Membra Jesu nostri
7. C.P.E. Bach: The Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus (Auferstehung und Himmelfahrt Jesu)
8. Carissimi: Jonas; Historia Divitis
9. Complete Works for 2 Pianos
10. De Falla: El Amor Brujo / El Sombrero de Tres Picos

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Third Album [Original recording remastered] [Import]

At the Bunkers of Fort Worden

Blues & Soul Years, Vol. 10 [Import]

Sunset Harbor

Berlin / Amsterdam [Live]

Burnin the Blues [Import]

Basket Full of Blues

Arturo Toscanini Collection, Volume 35: Modest Mussorgsky/Edward Elgar

Bound to Ride

All Night Session!, Vol. 1

Alwaysnever

Best of Rick Springfield [Import]

Back to Mine [Box set]

Mega 3 Collection: Classic Christian Rock

Ellis Marsalis Trio