Beniamino Gigli
Italian lyric tenor, rival to Caruso, famed for honey-toned voice.
Beniamino Gigli (20 March 1890 – 30 November 1957) was an Italian opera singer (lyric tenor), widely regarded as one of the greatest tenors of his generation. Born in Recanati, in the Marche, the son of a shoemaker who loved opera, Gigli won first prize in an international singing competition in Parma in 1914. His operatic debut came on 15 October 1914 as Enzo in Amilcare Ponchielli's La Gioconda in Rovigo. He made many important debuts in Mefistofele, including at La Scala, Milan on 19 November 1918 and the Metropolitan Opera, New York City on 26 November 1920. After the death of Enrico Caruso in 1921, Gigli rose to true international prominence, often called "Caruso Secondo," though he much preferred to be known as "Gigli Primo."
- born
- 20 March 1890, Recanati, Marche, Italy
- died
- 30 November 1957, Rome, Italy
- field
- Opera singer (lyric tenor)
- nationality
- Italian
- known_for
- One of the greatest tenors of his generation; rival of Giovanni Martinelli and G
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Gigli's chief rivals at the Metropolitan Opera during the 1920s were Giovanni Martinelli and Giacomo Lauri-Volpi. He left the Met in 1932 after refusing a pay cut, though he offered to sing five or six concerts gratis, a counter offer the general manager hid from the press. Gigli was criticized for being a favorite singer of Benito Mussolini, having recorded the Fascist anthem "Giovinezza" in 1937. Toward the end of World War II he gave few performances, but returned to the stage in 1945 to audience acclaim greater and more clamorous than ever. He appeared as an actor in over twenty films from 1935 to 1953, including 1936's Ave Maria and 1943's I Pagliacci. He gave close to one thousand benefit concerts, more than any other singer in history, and was deeply devoted to Padre Pio and the sacred music of Don Lorenzo Perosi.
Reader's Guide
Gigli's vocal style early in his career was known for a beautiful, soft and honey-like lyric voice with an incredible mezza-voice. As he grew older, his voice developed some dramatic qualities, enabling him to sing heavier roles like Ràdames in Aida and Cavaradossi in Tosca. Some critics say he was overemotional during performances, often resolving to sobbing. His recordings, including complete operas with Maria Caniglia, Rina Gigli, Licia Albanese and Toti dal Monte, have been reissued on CD and date back to the 1920s. In his personal life, Gigli married six months earlier than he actually did to conceal that his wife Costanza was pregnant. He had two children with Costanza: Enzo and Rina. He also had a second family with Lucia Vigarani, producing three children, and is rumored to have had at least three other children with as many different women. He died of pneumonia in Rome in 1957.
Did You Know?
- Gigli won first prize in an international singing competition in Parma in 1914.
- He made his operatic debut on 15 October 1914 as Enzo in La Gioconda in Rovigo.
- Gigli gave close to one thousand benefit concerts, more than any other singer in history.
- He recorded the Fascist anthem 'Giovinezza' in 1937.
- Gigli was initiated to Freemasonry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Beniamino Gigli?
Beniamino Gigli was an Italian lyric tenor born in 1890 in Recanati, Marche, who became one of the most celebrated opera voices of the early twentieth century. He is frequently cited alongside Enrico Caruso as a defining tenor of his generation.
What made Gigli's voice stand out from other tenors?
Gigli was prized for his warm, honey-toned timbre and effortless legato, which gave his lyric roles a natural sweetness. This quality distinguished him from the heavier, more dramatic tenors who also dominated the stage in his era.
How did Gigli rise to international stardom?
Gigli began performing in the 1910s, but his global breakthrough arrived after Enrico Caruso's death in 1921, which opened the leading tenor slots at major houses. He stepped into those roles and quickly became the era's foremost lyric tenor.
Who were Gigli's main rivals on the operatic stage?
During his peak years, Gigli competed with fellow tenors Giovanni Martinelli and Giacomo Lauri-Volpi for the top leading-man parts at major Italian and international opera houses. Their rivalries were a major talking point in the opera world of the 1920s and 1930s.
What is Gigli's recording legacy?
Gigli left behind an extensive catalog of studio recordings, including complete opera performances, that remain widely available to listeners today. These recordings are considered essential listening for anyone studying the golden age of Italian tenor singing.
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