BENIAMINO GIGLI - RIGOLETTO QUARTET 1927 HQ

Proper recording and playback of sound requires exact standardization of camera and projector speed. Before sound, 16 frames per second (fps) was the supposed norm, but practice varied widely. Cameras were often undercranked or overcranked in order to improve exposures or for dramatic effect. Projectors were commonly run too fast in order to shorten running time and squeeze in extra shows. Variable frame rate, however, made sound unlistenable, and a new, strict standard of 24 fps was soon established. Sound also forced the abandonment of the noisy arc lights used for filming in studio interiors. The switch to quiet incandescent illumination in turn required a switch to more expensive film stock. The sensitivity of the new panchromatic film delivered superior image tonal quality and gave directors the freedom to shoot scenes at lower light levels than was previously practical.

[@eusebioorru7383]

La musicalità e vocalità di Gigli sono incommensurabili. Il più grande di certo.

[@nuriakbudak3667]

C'est le miracle ... Voir Rigoletto chez 1920s ...

[@jhb134]

I really don't hear any shrillness from the ladies (Ms. Talley and Ms. Gordon). In fact, they MELD really well, with the great duo, Gigli and de Luca. I think it's IMPORTANT to have remarkably-distinctive "anchor" ... de Luca ... to pair with the excellent contributions of Beniamino Gigli. You're right, this is SUPERB, and it's great to have a video/audio example of such great singers!

[@elizaazevedo5414]

John B km Maravilhosa a interpretação de Benaminio Gile para Eliza Pereira da Rocha Azevedo o maior tenor do mundo.

[@purisermonisamator]

@@elizaazevedo5414 Почему-то я вспомнил главу из "Voci paralleli' , Лаури-Вольпи, посвящённую Иполито Ласаро.

[@sidneikovacs5499]

​@@elizaazevedo5414concordo plenamente com você!! Não por acaso mas sim por destino eu tenho Beniamino Gigli no meu estudo do canto lirico a quase trinta anos. É um grande prazer diariamente cantar ouvindo Gigli.....felicidades a vc!!!! E boas audições 👋👋

[@rosekokose2031]

❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😊😊😊​@@sidneikovacs5499

[@BellaFirenze]

Jeanne Gordon (born Ruby May Gordon, January 26, 1885 - February 22, 1952) was a Canadian contralto opera singer active during the early 1900s. Beniamino Gigli (20 March 1890 - 30 November 1957). He is 37 years old here. Marion Nevada Talley (December 20, 1906 - January 3, 1983) was an American opera coloratura soprano. She was at the time (1926) the youngest prima donna to have made a debut at the Metropolitan Opera; her swift rise to fame was followed by a period of decline, although she remained in the public eye for a number of years. Giuseppe De Luca (25 December 1876 - 26 August 1950), was an Italian baritone who achieved his greatest triumphs at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. He notably created roles in the world premieres of two operas by Giacomo Puccini: Sharpless in Madama Butterfly (at La Scala, Milan, 1904) and the title role in Gianni Schicchi (Metropolitan Opera, 1918).

[@philipanderson4673]

thank you....

[@clearlybe]

This recording has amazing quality from it's Era! Jeanne Gordon was my Great Aunt from Wallaceburg, Ontario. First born, of 10, only girl, my grandfather youngest. Daughter to Rose Fox & David Alexander Gordon, federal politician & industrialist with his uncle Captain James Steinham, who began as a pony express mail carrier!

[@jesusmunoz2400]

Gigli con un gusto exquisito, aunque con ciertos adornos no escrito muy típico de la época.

[@BazzasBest]

What a document this is! Gigli there in his prime. What quality of sound and film for these early years of that technology. I also reckon the conductor played his part well in keeping them all together.

[@markharrison2625]

Verdi, the singers, Vitaphone, modern technology, Mr Jozef Sterkens, KZbin ; THE sextet indispensable to mankind. Thank you all to the power of infinity.

[@ponselle27]

The quartet and sextet recorded about 1927 is a masterpiece for the ages. It is too bad it cannot be appreciated in today's world.

[@giuseppegabriele4461]

IL VERO BELCANTO ITALIANO

[@pedromiguel2675]

El comentario acerca de que Benjamino Gigli no era precisamente un buen actor en escena me asombra. Mi padre, que había asistido a varias presentaciones de Gigli en el Teatro Colón de Buenos Aires e incluso en el antiguo Teatro Argentino de La Plata, me contaba entusiasmado en mi niñez que Gigli era no sólo un magnífico cantante sino un gran actor sobre la escena. Tenía un señorío y una distinción muy especiales para darle vida a los personajes que interpretaba, siendo la versatilidad otra de sus virtudes. Conociéndolo a través de sus grabaciones, siempre me pareció que tenía notables "antenas" receptivas, y se dejaba guiar por su enorme intuición. Otra de sus características que me refería mi padre eran su simpatía y empatía humanas, lo que lo hacía muy querido en el ambiente lírico de los teatros líricos de Europa y América donde cantó. El presente registro presenta una sonoridad un tanto nasal y reverberante de su voz. Valga por el raro valor histórico de la grabación. ¡Muchas gracias! Pedro Miguel, Mar del Plata, Argentina

[@twraven1]

My grandfather sang with the Met Chorus from 1920-1960. I was hoping he would be in one of the clips but he wasn't. Great stuff!

[@ininacsot]

pendant quarante ans c'est super, bravo.

[@ezio892]

Rigoletto - Giuseppe De Luca Gilda - Marion Talley Duca di Mantova - Beniamino Gigli Maddalena - Jeanne Gordon 1927 Vitaphone

[@vale86301]

Che quartetto superbo!!I cantanti tutti bravissimi,Gigli stupendo ed anche il soprano che fa Gilda ,fantastica ,un acuto bellissimo .Grazie

[@MrTrackman100]

Pure delight! Verdi masterpiece and 4 great singers---who could ask for anything more!!

[@Yitzhakhazak]

Very singer-friendly conductor giving time to float the tones, especially the tenor´s. Most cantabile all of it. Even Rigoletto got time for his first..."E non ti bastáncor...." so the message could sink in.

[@JozefSterkens]

thank you!

[@Tkimba2]

It s how it should be conducted

[@CraigFrancisSoto]

Che meraviglioso ! How could you NOT love this rare film clip. Gigli seems in great voice in 1927. I know the great baritone here is DeLuca but who is the soprano standing next to Gigli? Grazie mille for sharing this wonderful piece with us.

[@CraigFrancisSoto]

My mistake. I think the soprano is next to DeLuca. But who is the lady standing next to Gigli ?

[@grantyoungblood7895]

@@CraigFrancisSoto Yes, Marion Talley is the soprano singing Gilda, standing next to De Luca. I THINK the other lady is Jeanne Gordon, singing Maddalena... a Canadian contralto, according to Wikipedia.

[@CraigFrancisSoto]

@@grantyoungblood7895 Mille grazie Grant for the info on Marion Talley andJeanne Gordon. I know nothing about Miss Gordon> Did she ever sing at the Met? I know i Gigli and deLuca did in the late 20's and early 30's and Gigli returned to Fascist Italy and was favored by Mussolini o sing opera and some Fascist propaganda stuff. He certainly was in fine voice here.He had a very beautiful lyric tenor voice. Some critics thought he was s dramatic tenor but I think he's surely a lyric. What a wonderful tone and timbre he had

[@Nemoxxx-c6u]

Gigli una spanna sopra tutti, un fiume di voce con gli accenti e le nuances giusti.

[@rcogliatti]

Gigli, sempre perfetto !

[@JozefSterkens]

recorded at the old Manhattan opera house!

[@franzbernasek4058]

Gigli, De Luca perfetto

[@charleswebb8230]

This should be required listening for all young singers. Wonderful singing . Henry Webb

[@ponselle27]

Absolutely right. This gorgeous ensemble singing is right out of heaven. Of course, the quality of the voices had something to do with it, but so did the way they were taught to sing in those days. Whenever I listen to the heavy voiced tenors of today, I retreat to Gigli and realize there is a God.

[@andrzejzborowski4920]

Even if they heard it they couldn't imitate them.

[@judithbereczky4114]

Unfortunately it would not help to today's singers. Something happened .

[@pianomaly9]

Interesting information on the history of film/sound synchronization. Thanks for bringing this amazing piece of operatic history to light, years ago it would have been only an unobtainable legend.

[@danielpabloorsi9488]

Una grabación de 1927.¡Qué más se puede pedir!

[@goranstyrman3588]

Gigli one of the very best through the ages.

[@saltburner2]

Incredible quality of sound in this amazing restoration. A cast to die for!

[@JozefSterkens]

Imagine an evening at the Old Met with this cast.

[@MrSkylark1]

HOW GRATEFUL TO HAVE THIS MARVELOUS VIDEO TO 'LISTEN' TO and OBSERVE the" ART OF SINGING," not HEARD ON THE OPERATIC STAGE SINCE THEN. GIGLI WAS SIMPLY SPLENDID, A TRUE PROPONENT OF BEL CANTO. THANK YOU

[@JozefSterkens]

Thank you.

[@clivepapayanis3121]

I just scrolled down enough to get the ladies names. Thanks for this! Amazing artistic/historical document

[@fernandowohllkbody1871]

Gigli como Cantante extraordinario, representando al Duque , malísimo. PERO CON RESPETO.

[@renebenitez5680]

La actuación pésima, el canto sublime (simplemente inigualable). ¡Qué tono tiene Gigli!

[@jsc5492]

Vocally and technologically interesting. As for singing together and in tune it's simply dreadful.

[@haroldgaffney246]

Gigli couldn't act and did not look like a Duke. BUT WITH A VOICE LIKE THAT WHO CARES !!!!

[@Tadpoletofrogs]

What does a Duke look like? What "acting" would you of wanted in this video?

[@lauralee6622]

His voice did the acting.

[@michaeldslipp1078]

Laura Lee said it perfectly. His voice, phrasing, molten legato, musicality, vowel sounds did the “acting.” Today’s obsession with “acting,” narrowly considered, is killing opera. Are you moved by the music?-therein lies the drama. Besides, I found Gigli quite charming here even physically!

[@purisermonisamator]

@@lauralee6622 Laura, you read my mind. You deserved a sonnet from new Petrarca!

[@Mimmo8952]

VIELEN DANK FÜR DIESES WUNDERBARE VIDEO. EINFACH WUNDERBAR GIGLI!!!!!

[@nigelperry8863]

Well, I've just learned something. Very interesting! A precious gem of yesteryear.

[@dianeclarke6263]

One of the very best renditions of this fabulous quartet the sweet honey voice of gigli and the excellent trained de luca it really is a master class in the art of fine singing

[@JozefSterkens]

Thanks! Download this clip on a dvd because of infringement of Vitaphone copywright, this clip is the only suviver of 4 that I uploaded in 2000.

[@jeffreymiller4814]

@@JozefSterkensMr. Sterkens, I enjoy so many of your posts, but am curious as to why you posted this playing in D major, instead of the score-pitch (D-flat)?

[@bastianinifansempre]

Veramente un altro mondo.. meraviglioso..!

[@patriciapaape9238]

Exquisite!Thank you for posting♫♪ ॐ¸¸.•*¨*•♫

[@yaelpalombo4093]

Sublime Gigli❤

[@tenortonyvillecco2404]

wonderful; just wonderful

[@opertutto]

Oh, Mr Sterkens, I hope you can manage to find good images of the two Vitaphone films of Martinelli in La Juive. I am grateful for this fine restoration of the Rigoletto Quartet. Thank you.

[@bodiloto]

divino Gigli . meravigliosi tutti . addio bel passato,per sempre addio .

[@rigelb9025]

Speriamo che possiamo ritrovare questa qualità anche oggi.

[@bodiloto]

@@rigelb9025 ti adoro ragazzo . ammiro moltissimo la tua innocenza e la tua spontaneità! bravo ! purtroppo per ritrovare questa qualità anche oggi come hai detto tu il teatro lirico moderno deve cambiare totalmente tutto.mi dispiace ma questa è una utopia . cordialità il vecchio

[@rigelb9025]

@@bodiloto Certo, le produzione liriche moderne non sono al stesso grado di perfezione che le più antichi in generale. Che cosa triste. Ma un giovane ragazzo come io può sempre sognare, e stesso forse essere il questo cambiamento.

[@samuelconsoli9429]

Non perdiamo la speranza, io stesso sono un giovane tenore, laureando in conservatorio. La libertà d’emissione sul fiato, dev’essere la parola d’ordine. Oggi i “maestri” insegnano ad ingolare ed affondare, sta a noi stessi giovani studenti, trovare la retta via. Sono sicuro che tutta questa meraviglia, potrà di nuovo tornare nei nostri amati teatri

[@bodiloto]

Luigi Raimondo Pomo Che tristezza !!! Almeno qua a Parigi viviamo tranquilli ... Poi ognuno fa molta attenzione a questo virus chi ha distrutto il mondo intero! Una tragedia vera! Mi dispiace davvero! Coraggio !!! Saluti cordiali da Parigi Nicola 👍

[@johnfalstaff2270]

Among of famous singers I see Beniamino Gigli and baritone Giuseppe de Luca, but those two other girls here as American Marion Talley as Gilda and Canadian mezzosoprano Jeanne Gordon ended their careers later poorly. Gigli recorded this scene later with better cast as Amelita Galli Curci and Louise Homer. Nevertheless, here on this video they all sound beautiful.

[@clivepapayanis3121]

My question as well

[@johnfalstaff2270]

This is what supposed to be. Initially, could not figure out the names of other singers from narrator French pronunciation.

[@clivepapayanis3121]

Galli-Curci and Homer far better fill out a dream cast for this quartet indeed. Once I ascertained the ladies names from scrolling down far enough, I looked them up and this document seems the only thing either of them did of note, probably due to Gigli's and de Luca's stupendous and well-deserved place in the annals of opera as well as the novelty of this rendition. Is the Galli-Curci/Homer version accessible? I know there is a Caruso/Galli-Cuci version...

[@purisermonisamator]

@@clivepapayanis3121 Caruso had done four 🍀 records of this quartet: with 1. Abott. 2. Sembrich. 3. Tetrazzini. 4. Galli-Curci.

[@operadog2000]

I do not think that I have heard Gigli sing any better. Wonderful, thanks for posting.

[@LardoDiColonnata]

Fantastico quartetto! Un video davvero prezioso! Gigli irraggiungibile!

[@cucho69]

Gracias Jozef por compartir ésta maravilla.

[@nagu66sami]

Thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a wonderful restoration!!!!!!!!

[@randysills4418]

Gigli is wonderful!

[@doGreatartistsgrowontrees]

Wunderbar. Gigli is perfection. Much less so, for my taste, is the nightingale Gilda.

[@曾俊-u7z]

异常珍贵的视频，非常的美妙，感谢意大利人创造这么好的音乐

[@JozefSterkens]

Thanks from Belgium!!

[@sachseco]

DOES ANYONE ELSE HEAR THE ANNOUNCER SAY "JEE-GLEE" INSTEAD OF "JEEL-YEE"?

[@Musicaviennensis]

Heartbreaking ! There is no one better than Gigli.

[@marinellabakken5863]

Yes, it is. Jussi Björling Best.

[@andreagrandeable]

SUBLIME

[@AntW11]

Astounding!!!!! Wonderful. Thank you for posting.

[@ininacsot]

c'est magnifique, merci.

[@johnroberts4078]

What a paradox: the best things today are the apparently boundless records of yesteryear. Where are the classics of today, David Bryne maybe?

[@patricktee6305]

But the singing is divine. Who cares about the acting; good acting in opera is just a bonus.

[@ЛюдмилаПогосян-с4н]

Такие люди должны жить вечно

[@purisermonisamator]

Yes, good acting in opera is just a bonus, I'll agree. But nobody must forget: the main acting in opera is singing!

[@pabloprado77]

is rogoletto complete i need it by gigli of course!! great gigli!!

[@WolfgangAPalm-ju9er]

Amazing amazing amazing ☝☝☝

[@ciroalb3]

wonder why they didn't put Gali-Curci in this? Would have been expensive, but the audience would have poured in

[@wachiman7324]

Qué fiato Gigli! A ese ritmo tan lento otros colapsarian. Maravillosa voz que destaca por encima de las otras estrellas.

[@tasteslikechicken55]

For a video from 1927, this looks to be in absolutely fantastic shape! Thanks for posting this, it's truly a gem!

[@bokewilhelm1452]

sehr interessant vom jüngeren gilgi

[@ivanscotton6163]

Tivemos uma ótima apresentação do Rigoletto no Teatro Municipal de São Paulo em 2019, ótimo Elenco e a presença do Portari no papel do Duque. Temos ótimo cantores líricos. Na temporada a destacar o Marcondes no papel de Fígaro no Barbeiro de Sevilha e a grande revelação entre outros o Erick Herrero que fez Calaf no Turandot de Puccini. Procurem no Reserva do Municipal.

[@ColClarion]

Amazing!

[@JuPiNi1]

Por favor, aparte de Gigli, quienes cantan, y director. Gracias

[@Nalora]

Wow. Thanks so much for posting this! Fantastic!

[@johnroberts4078]

Simply brilliant. Thank you for keeping it Grand.

[@robert111k]

¿Dónde coño mira Gigli cuando le está diciendo a la otra "bella figlia dell'amore schiavo son dei vezzi tuoi"? Joder, es casi peor que Pavarotti.

[@martincook318]

Benimino Gigli was a Great Operatic Singer but a Poor actor who was supported by Musalini and Arturo Toscanini wanted nothing to do with that unspeakable Criminal and he Refused to take a Pay cut in the 1930's

[@albertorodriguez5368]

Esta aria se considera " El aria joya " de todas operas " te emociona... ..

[@somersetuk525]

Have you heard the Galli-Curci Louise Homer version also the sextet.

[@hugonegall]

Maravillosos!!!!

[@МихаилЗаозернов]

Какое невероятное великооепие! Слышать этот шедевр в подаче того времени - наслаждение .

[@purisermonisamator]

Когда в конце жизни де Лука спросили, кто из его партнеров был самым великим, он, певший со всеми великими вокалистами первой половины ХХ века, включая Карузо и Шаляпина, назвал именно Джильи, поскольку тот, не располагая выгодной внешностью, будучи никаким актером, одним своим волшебным голосом доводил публику до неистовства. Это многое объяснит тому, кто задумывается над тем, что такое опера. PS И огромное спасибо вам, Джозеф, ха это чудо.

[@timetable2008]

Excelente!!!!!!!! Esto sí que es increíble!!! Muchas gracias por compartir este material!

[@richardgornalle4536]

Brilliant!

[@selini52]

No need to see the play along with the sound, Gigli seems not to understand, almost, his own words!

[@tww2002]

Wonderful.

[@neville132bbk]

Before starting my homework.. back in 1965,66....I would play this on 78rpm,, either HMV or Columbia... or Bjorling singing "Che Gelida Manina" still have the red label HMV....my little inspiration before struggling with Calculus

[@hugogallegos1571]

Sabemos que Gigli no era un gran actor en escena (todo conocedor de la opera debería de saber eso), pero su voz, y lo valioso de este video lo hacen maravilloso!!! Grazie Jozef.

[@JozefSterkens]

Thanks!

[@dragucatalino9357]

Celeste. Una sola parola: celeste.

[@F93HD2]

Che paradiso!

[@JorgeAlbertoMussuto]

impresionante para esta epoca:)

[@christinesanchez1726]

Un plaisir de l'écouter et voir

[@СеклитаЛимариха]

Люблю "Риголетто".

[@jeffreymiller4814]

The posting by Trrill got the pitch corrected.

[@tedlawrence4189]

Gigli sounded similar to Caruso.

[@JozefSterkens]

listen this vitaphone played at the right pitch on other channel

[@JozefSterkens]

listen at the TRILL channel

[@dorothz]

Danke.

[@JackRance1910]

A different world - incredible...

[@johnster1964]

Thank you for uploading this. Stunning !

[@malcolmdale9607]

I had this on a cassette tape (sound only) . This is the first time I have seen the video. I was privileged to see Gigli in London at his farewell performance I think it was 1956. I was about 17. Thanks for the upload.

[@1920sfan1]

Exquisite.

[@RayburnClipper]

What a treat to see such footage of Rigoletto Quartet

[@JozefSterkens]

download !!!!

[@claudiodriussi9912]

+Jozef Sterkens Done!

[@JozefSterkens]

clever

[@johnoleary5792]

Just perfect

[@OPEROMANO]

SOBERBIO

[@kaledutu]

WOW.

[@albertolenzini1977]

Meraviglia !

[@rossinilove]

I think it was a flaw of the recording techniques of the time but the male voices seem more flattered. The female voice, especially the sopranos, seem shrill. I don't think the equipment was able to handle the higher frequencies as much Still, a superb souvenir.

[@albertoruvalcaba4003]

So incredible, thanks a lot! It's really a great jewel!

[@alfredbernasek3912]

IHR HEUTIGEN SÄNGER UND SÄNGERINNEN HÖRT SEHT UND LERNT

[@elinakabakchieva4003]

Talent muss auch sein, die heutigen haben Gillis Begabung nicht

[@FranzFischerSDG]

I once heard from Felix Wolfes, who was with the Met before he retired to teach at NEC, that Gigli and Bjorling were not much of convincing operatic tenor. They were good singers, but Martinelli was a truly operatic tenor, not just a singer.

[@rickos1915]

They didn't have to be, their voices were enough.

[@johnfalstaff2270]

Franz, they were not convincing actors on stage. This is certainly what you heard and possibly read as I did. Not everybody is a perfect actor. They usually used to sing toward public instead to their partners on stage. However, their voices had diamond value.

[@nattie-k8380]

It would be great if you posted other singers names, please