The Great Gigli Sings a Beautiful 17th Century Art Song by Cesti: "Intorno all' idol mio."

Recorded in 1947. The great tenor looks beyond the stereotyped conventions of 17th and 18th century "style" and instinctively searches out the inherent beauty of this ancient song as only he could. An incredibly beautiful rendition of this classic.

YOU CAN FOLLOW MY BLOG AT:
GREATOPERASINGERS.BLOGSPOT.COM

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Gigli
• Intorno
• all'idol
• mio

[THEALBOSHOW]

This is a little lesson of Belcanto

[EdmundStAustell]

@THEALBOSHOW Indeed. Gigli could put the "bel" in "bel canto" about as well as anyone ever could!

[Korartiz]

What key is this in?

[EdmundStAustell]

@Korartiz Unless my ears deceive me (a distinct possibility) it is Bb. It's up at least a full tone from the original, I'm pretty sure.

[paulinaluc]

Really beautiful voice, but please, why glissando and all the romantic stuff in a baroque piece, they used to sing it differently then! I understand he gave all his heart, it is the most important, but although he wanted to sing romantically, it sounds as if he was lazy to sing and not paying attention to singing correctly and precisely. For me, singing like the composer would want (I guess he would) and in emotional way at the same time is possible and admirable. Very beautiful voice, anyway :)

[EdmundStAustell]

I have heard his "Sol da te, mio dolce amore." It's VERY impressive! This is first class singing, no doubt about it. Do you happen to know if his "Intorno al idol mio" is on Youtube? I'd love to hear it. I wish I had heard him before I had written my piece on Jarousky. I think I need to spend some time with Spano and get to know him a bit better. Thanks for the lead! Much appreciated. Edmund

[serenaluce]

Thank you for understanding. I'll check your blog. Have you heard Spanos's singing? What do you think of it?

[EdmundStAustell]

Hey! No problem:) I enjoy all great singing, and I am a great promoter of male altos. When you get a chance, drop by my blog (You can get the address on my channel) and check out my article on Philippe Jarousky and a special guest article on David Daniels. Thanks for your comment--always appreciated. Edmund

[serenaluce]

It's very, very beautiful! Really a masterpiece for a tenor! Great Gigli! One of my favourite tenors. But the most beautiful version of this great piece I've ever heard is a countertenor Nicholas Spanos's version! I was crying listening to him... Sorry.

[EdmundStAustell]

Thank you. Yes, it certainly is! I think this is probably my favorite of all the art songs Gigli recorded. Purists will say that the style is very sentimental for a song so old, but I have always felt he is nearer the heart of what was intended here than many of the dry academic approaches to this music, which often miss the whole point of a love song. Some things are eternal:)