In my two previous comparisons (I wrote another last night on the anniversary of La Boheme), I was a bit unfair toward Beniamino Gigli. I didn't say anything bad, but I didn't think the pieces were really his style. On a hunch, I tried a song that I thought would be, and the result was amazing! So much so that it brought me to tears and I had to gather my thoughts before writing!
Beniamino Gigli - Santa Lucia
youtube.com/watch?v=zTCjYEHpUe…
Where do I begin with this? From soft and steady, to truly sweet, to loud and full of emotion and enthusiasm, this was a phenomenal performance. Rarely have I heard any singer in any genre change emotion/colour like that, and when I do, I notice it immediately! As a side note, after doing my previous comparisons, I think he would have made a wonderful Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha. He had the perfect qualities to mimic the all-or-nothing approach, devotion, and passion of Quixote and his rendering of The Impossible Dream would have been astounding. As it is, he died well before the play was staged. But it's fun to think about.