Search - Beniamino Gigli :: Beniamino Gigli: The Complete Victor Recordings, Vol. 3: 1929-32 (1 CD)

The Italian tenor voice of rare beauty - Gigli in his prime.

John Austin | Kangaroo Ground, Australia | 03/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are at least three good reason for recommending this CD. Firstly, the years represented in this CD probably saw Gigli in his prime. Eager to communicate, and aware of the emotional content of each item, he has the Italian tenor voice of rare beauty. Unfortunately, these were also the Depression years, and even a best-selling artist like Gigli was invited into American recording studios on only three occasions in 1930 and never in 1931. Everything he recorded for Victor from 1929 to 1932 is here. Secondly, the quality of the Mark Obert-Thorn restorations brings these items before us in best possible condition. To collect vintage Gigli recordings is to know that recent reissues have frequently been disappointing. The voice, in these recent reissues, is often both ill-focused and hard-edged. A comfortable listening experience is assured here.Thirdly, this selection offers several previously unissued takes. Unpublished takes of the Bizet aria and the two Verdi trios are provided. In each case, a first take was unissued. Combined with these recommendations is the fact that space has been found not only for 78 minutes of singing, and comprehensive notes, but also for a photo showing Gigli, Chaliapin and Tauber in close discussion, linking fingers and hands in front of a 78 metal master original."