Beniamino Gigli

Gigli, Beniamino 

Born Mar. 20, 1890, in Recanati; died Nov. 30, 1957, in Rome. Italian singer (tenor).

Gigli studied voice with A. Cotogni and E. Rosati at the Academy of St. Cecilia in Rome. He made his operatic debut in 1914 in Rovigo, after which he performed in the theaters of many Italian cities. From 1920 to 1932, he was a soloist at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. He toured many countries of the world with great success. In 1954, Gigli left the operatic stage and began performing in concerts. He was an out-standing opera singer and a major representative of bel canto. His voice was rare owing to the beauty of its timbre. His performances were distinguished by uncommon spontaneity, brilliant vocal skill, and subtle melodiousness. Gigliïs best parts were Nemorino in DonizettiïsL’Elisir d’Amore, Lionel in Flotow’s Martha, des Grieux in Massenet’s Manon, Lohengrin in Wagner’s opera of the same name, Radames in Verdïs Aïda, Cavaradossi in Puccinïs Tosca, Canio in Leoncavallo’s / Pagliacci, and Turiddu in Mascagniïs Cavalleria Rusticana. Gigli appeared in many musical films.

WORKS

Memorie. [Milan, 1957.] In Russian translation: Vospominaniia, 2nd ed. Moscow-Leningrad, 1967.

REFERENCES

Silvestrini, D. B. Gigli. Bologna, 1937.
Herbert-Caesari, E. Tradition and Gigli. London, 1958.

S. M. GRISHCHENKO