Advent Calendar 2009: December 13th

Advent Calendar 2009

December 13th

Dag Trygve Henriksen, 13.12.2009

At December 13th, one has to present Santa Lucia.

Last years contribution was with the Norwegian tenor Bjørn Talén (listen to it here). This year a recording with the world famous Italian tenor, Benjamino Gigli, who probably to the highest degree continued the heritage from Enrico Caruso of performing Neapolitan songs, such as Santa Lucia.

Gigli was born in Rome and studied there at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia. He made his debut in 1914, and was closely associated to the La Scala Opera in Milano, but performed as well at all the important opera stages in Europe and South / North America. He made numerous recordings, and is remembered for his glorious voice, his splendid voice control, his phrasing and colorful shades of execution.

The record is published by His Master’s Voice in 1951 with catalogue number D.A 1963 and matrix number OEA 14262-1A 1A.