Colin Bain’s Book ‘Gigli: the Master Tenor’ Named ARSC 2022 Finalist for Best Historical Research in Recorded Classical Music

The Association for Recorded Sound Collections has announced the 2022 finalists for the ARSC Awards for Excellence in Historical Recorded Sound Research. For the Best Historical Research in Recorded Classical Music, ARSC named Colin Bain’s “Gigli: the Master Tenor,” published by Barry Ashpole, as a finalist. “Gigli” is over 20 years in the making and forms the ultimate biography of {…}

Jan 18, 2022

Colin Bain & Barry R. Ashpole to Release New Biography of Legendary Tenor Beniamino Gigli

Fans of the tenor Beniamino Gigli and of opera history will be delighted to learn that “Gigli: The Master Tenor,” an English-language biography written by Colin Bain, has been published. But the path to publication was not without some drama of its own. General Editor Barry R. Ashpole, editor of the “ARSC Journal” (Association of Recorded Sound Collections) from 1993–2015, {…}

Nov 23, 2020

Ermonela Jaho, Sonya Yoncheva, Lawrence Brownlee, Nina Stemme Headline Top 10 Operas to Stream This Week

This week’s streaming options include two celebrations of legendary artists, a sweet double bill, two powerful modern works, an iconic diva in her signature role, a star-studded Strauss masterpiece, lots of Bel Canto, and a hotly anticipated recital. Without further ado, let’s jump in. Beniamino Gigli, 100 Years at the Met – Teatro Grattacielo (NOW) Nov. 26 marks the 100th {…}

Oct 25, 2020

Teatro Grattacielo Releases ‘Beniamino Gigli 100 Years at MET: Scenes from Boito’s Mefistofele’

Teatro Grattacielo has released its first streaming project, “Beniamino Gigli 100 years at MET Scenes from Boito’s Mefistofele.” The hour-long video, made in honor of the legendary tenor, features an introduction from his granddaughter Francesca Romana Gigli as well as commentary by critic John Yohalem. There are performances by tenor Thomas Massey as Faust, bass Alessandro Tirotta as Mefistofele, soprano {…}

Sep 3, 2020

Opera Meets Film: How ‘Funny Games’ Prologue Uses Operas by Handel & Mascagni to Establish Major Themes of Comfort & Chaos

“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a film section or a film in its entirety and highlight the impact that utilizing the operatic form or sections from an opera can alter our perception of a film that we are viewing. This week’s installment features Michael {…}

Mar 23, 2019

Opera Quiz: Which One Was It – Beniamino Gigli or Lauritz Melchior?

You might have heard, but Beniamino Gigli and Lauritz Melchior were born on the same exact day – March 20, 1890. As such, it should not be a surprise that their careers overlapped in some unique ways. They both became major stars at the Met. They both appeared in the movies. They even shared an operatic role. But they also {…}

Mar 20, 2019

Artist Profile: Tenor Beniamino Gigli, One of the Great Italian Tenors

Beniamino Gigli is one of the most famous tenors in history. Born on March 20, 1890 in Recanati, his father was a shoemaker who was passionate about opera. While his family didn’t really care to see their son take on a career as an opera singer, Gigli moved forward and wound up winning an international prize in 1914. That same {…}

Mar 20, 2017

What Historic Tenors Beniamino Gigli & Lauritz Melchior Had in Common

Danish tenor Lauritz Melchior was the quintessential Wagner tenor while Beniamino Gigli was one of the most beloved Italian tenors that history has ever seen. Both were born on the same day – March 20, 1890. While they both made their professional debuts one year apart, the Dane’s came in 1913 while the Italian’s a year late in 1914, they {…}

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