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This CD contains all of the sides Gigli recorded in his so-called third period, from September 1938 to the end of 1940, with the exception of the complete recordings of the Verdi Requiem, Madama Butterfly and Cavalleria rusticana, which were also made during this period. The sides, with fine transfers and audio restoration by Mark Obert-Thorn, have been presented in the order in which they were recorded, except for two Traviata duets, which appear in the order in which they occur in the opera. The singing is marvellous, though often a matter of taste. Unashamed scooping and excessive portamento by the orchestral strings can wear you down somewhat, so it’s a matter of accepting the style of the day.

The operatic arias, not many of them, are the best, though Caniglia takes a while to focus her contribution, though again it’s a question of accepting the scoops in Mozart, whereas he gets away with them more satisfactorily in either Verdi or Puccini. The Italian airs are beautifully done with the unique artistry this tenor possessed to carry them off without being excessively sentimental - indeed they are very seductive. His German is embarrassingly bad when it comes to Brahms and Schubert, though even here one can bypass such weakness and get to the heart of his sensitivity to relish their poignancy. A fiery ‘Di quella pira’ concludes a thoroughly satisfying disc, which his admirers will justifiably relish.

Christopher Fifield

 

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