Saturday 21 December 2013

Adeste Fideles

One of Italy great tenor Beniamino Gigli (1890-1957) whose statue stands in the Foyer of the Teatro del'Opera di Roma and whose name graces the piazza in front of the Opera House, sings here this Christmas favourite Adeste Fideles.
It is an old way of singing but I find it very satisfying, probably recorded around 1934. He was considered the generation of new opera singers after the great Caruso. Gigli retired from the stage in 1954. He came from humble origins in a small village of Italy. His voice was noticed by the Choir Master of his parish church and his parents sent him for tutoring with the great masters of his time. He did odd jobs to pay for his tutoring. He rose in fame and made his debut at the San Carlo Opera House of Naples.











Pietro Perugino, 1446-1523, Nativity

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