#Gigli

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrCxfMAGuec&list=RDYrCxfMAGuec&start_radio=1

The only singer I've heard approach Tagliavini's sweetness and softness(at times) is Gigli. Here is one where they are both equal, or at least, so good that it's difficult to decide between them. This is one of my favourite songs of all time. I love Tosti. And yes, I have and adore the Schipa version of this, but he doesn't really fit the current contest.

Tagliavini

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQCX0i2mC3Q

Gigli

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXbKaZ4vI0k

Since I rarely get to do this, as their paths don't often cross, here is Carlo Buti, known for his sweetness.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b96oZ3cwuYc

#Buti #Gigli #opera #Tagliavini #Tosti

After reading the plot, I decided that L'amico Fritz was going to be my next opera. It just took me a little while to get to it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%27amico_Fritz

I actually found two libretti, so I will include them both. However, the second is terrible to read with a screen reader, even in text-only mode, as the Italian and English are mixed together. The first is very clean, so it was just a matter of copying the English into a separate file so I could read it without interruption.

Libretti

https://archive.org/details/lamicofritzfrien00masc

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$c107674&seq=5

Recording

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-65iDfKkqo

I will start by saying that I am fully accustomed to old recordings, stretching back to before Caruso, so what I am about to say has nothing to do with my ear being attuned to modern things. While I am grateful that it exists, this was one of the worst recordings, sound-wise, that I have ever heard. Even with headphones, the words weren't clear and I had to turn the volume quite loud. That said, the one with Ferruccio Tagliavini and Pia Tassinari is only available in fragments, and the later ones are full of people I don't know. Plus, I like Gigli, so I stayed with this one. I actually got a double dose of Gigli, because Beniamino sang with his daughter Rina. She has an interesting voice, to say the least. Afro Poli could usually be heard, probably because his voice is so loud and powerful. There were times when even Beniamino's voice seemed almost overwhelmed by the orchestra, but I'm sure it wasn't like that in reality and was just an effect of the recording. At any rate, my experience with L'amico Fritz echos that of Falstaff. The story was great (though Falstaff was better) but the music didn't really capture my attention. I am seriously beginning to wonder if I just don't like operas from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, with the exception of La Boheme. I have never had this happen with any bel canto repertoir. At any rate, there were some decent arias and some good harmonies, but nothing amazing. Still, it was light-hearted fun and at least I can say that I am now familiar with another opera. I would recommend it to someone who wanted to try something a little different, but it would probably be best to find a clearer recording, particularly if you're not like me with regard to preferring older singers.

I was planning to try Mignon next. I already found a libretto and recording for it. But now, I'm not sure if I should listen to it right away or save it and look for some Rossini or Bellini, since I would like to hear more from them, or perhaps try my luck with another Puccini, even though I'm not a great lover of verismo and loud, powerful voices. I might be surprised and enjoy it. Who knows?

#Gigli #Mascagni #opera #review

Seth Rogen Auditioned for Controversial ‘Gigli’ Role: ‘I Saw Myself at the Oscars’ If I Got It, but the Tape Would ‘End My Career’ Today
#IndieWire #GeneralNews #News #BenAffleck #Film #Gigli #JenniferLopez #SethRogen

https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/seth-rogen-gigli-audition-end-career-1235134843/

Seth Rogen Explains Why His ‘Gigli’ Audition Tape Would “End My Career” If It Leaked
#News #Gigli #SethRogen

https://deadline.com/2025/06/seth-rogen-gigli-audition-tape-would-end-my-career-1236439011/

(Note. The bit about watching/listening and Tagliavini refers to a Reddit post in which I asked about four different versions of La Boheme that I have in my large list of opera links. Also, Schipa is still my favourite singer of all time. But Gigli is second, Tagliavini is third, and Battistini is fourth.)
"I just finished listening to La Boheme from 1938. I say "listening" because several people mentioned that I said "watching" in the post where I was trying to decide on a version. I am totally blind, so it's all listening for me, whether there is a video or not. But I'm accustomed to saying "watch" when referring to things that I find on Youtube, which is odd, as I usually download them as mp3s, but anyway. This is the full opera.

youtube.com/watch?v=mE5vRfD7uC…

This is the libretto that I used.

opera-arias.com/puccini/la-boh…

The first act basically told the story of the characters themselves. The second made me laugh in several places. Marcello and (Musetta were quite funny, in general. Poor Alcindoro) kept trying to calm Musetta and was ultimately stuck with the bill, but that was clever. The third, of course, was more serious, and forshaddowed things to come. I'm glad the fourth act had some comedy in it, because the ending was heart-breaking. Even though I knew what would happen, it was played so well that it brought me to tears, and I had to calm down before writing this review! Even Schipa himself couldn't do that, and I have the last scene with him in it! Gigli was an absolute master of this role, and while complaining about his sobs in other instances may be justified, he used them expertly in this performance, and truly brought the character of Rodolfo to life. What really surprised me is how much I liked Licia Albanese. I am usually not a fan of high-pitched female voices, but for some reason, I liked her, and the chemistry between her and Gigli's characters could be felt. I am really glad that I chose this version and would highly recommend it to anyone."

"Since I mentioned being caught between Gigli and Tagliavini in my other post, here is Che Gelida Manina by both of them.

Gigli
youtube.com/watch?v=b5Ba_MSygG…

Tagliavini

(I am providing two versions because he sings them quite differently. The first is extremely sweet and the second less so, but it still sounds like it's before the voice change. I have always loved his version, but I don't know how he would handle the rest, particularly the really dramatic parts.)

1
youtube.com/watch?v=ux1QuTbQsc…

2
youtube.com/watch?v=2DdPoNsTRD…

Now for Schipa.

youtube.com/watch?v=gqcuAAA_2m…

And this is the final scene that I mentioned in my review. Naturally, it is played well, as Schipa always sang everything beautifully. But Gigli added his own elements to it.

youtube.com/watch?v=IMTQ7gGyuw… "

Since I mentioned it, here is my large list of operas.

dandylover1.dreamwidth.org/242…

#BeniaminoGigli #FerruccioTagliavini #Gigli #LaBoheme #opera #Puccini #review #Tagliavini #TitoSchipa #Schipa