Beniamino Gigli & Licia Albanese sing La Boheme Act I (1938) 

In 1946 I purchased the 78s of this Boheme. I was 13 and thought Boheme couldn't be better. I was right. Now at 81, I still think Gigli and Albanese we're the perfect lovers. Talk about standing the test of time. One hopes that today's lackluster singers give this a listen.

Gigli once said, if it wasn't for singing he does not know what he may have done. He was an amazing tenor that carried the torch after Caruso. Tenor Alessandro Bonci said, in Gigli we found ''thee tenor'' Of course Albanese had a beautiful lyric voice.

Beyond unique beautiful timbre of his voice, Master Benjamino Gigli also has the high music and artistic IQ among so many well known tenors. So much in love with his singing, Bravo!!!

Che bella lezzione di canto...... bravi.

there is a great authenticity about this recording. the music is in the blood of the singers and the conductor. Extremely beautiful and moving such respect for the music, the words and the spirit. Great coloring

This is the recording that made me fall in love with Opera. I met Licia Albanese in 1975, studied voice with her and was a friend of hers till her passing away in 2014. Through her love for Opera, and what she taught me, I started my own Opera Company. These are the legends of Opera. Mostly what we have today are bad fakes.

This helped preserve my life in 1970-71 when I was evicted from my home in a Belfast prefab ghetto, by my mother, on the orders of my step father. An argument over £3 x 2 rent. I sang all the parts (soprano is hard for a baritone). I virtually destroyed both LPs in about 50 playings on a Dansette. Mario Lanzas greatest hits album was another life saver. I wish I could recapture the desperate passion of those almost suicidal days. Mario and Gigli saved my life, bless their sublime memory =)

The beauty of Gigli's voice and chiaroscuro are a wonder, not duplicated by any other tenor.

Un duetto da brividi!

How refreshing. The young Gigli and Albanese. Thank you for sharing.

Beniamino Gigle, there has never been a more beautiful tenor voice.

Pucchini lived the part, when writing opera music, Gigli lived the part when singing to his music.

This was the first opera recording I owned (and still own 50 years later). Gigli and Albanese are still my favourite tenor and soprano.

maravilloso duo

For my part, this is the ultimate "Che Gelida Manina" - I know the studio recording is supposed to be his best technically, and maybe it is..But for a pure lyric thriller, this beats all. My folks bought the 78" "Hi Lights" album and I pretty much cut my operatic teeth on it. Gigli's famous hystrionics frequently worked against him but when he had a great night, they made him unbeatable. I like to think that working with 25 year old Ligia, might have inspired him to make his magic work. ...

This is among my three favorite recordings of the opera, the two others of course the 1946 Toscanini broadcast and the 1956 Beecham recording.

Beautiful ....

Magnifico

Glorious, master class, LIVE!!! Thank you for posting treasure.

Wonderful recording!

Gigli non teme confronti,la sua voce è UNICA

That's magnificent!!!!!!!!!!

That is a true high C that they both sing so beautifully to end this duet scene.

My wish granted. Here he is as Rodolfo. Bravo.

Gigli had an astounding voice

This recording along with the Tebaldi/ Bergonzi are the two perfect performances of this work.

Having known Licia Albanese quite well, and prizing this recording as I did (and still do), I was surprised when she told me that she didn't like it because her voice was not sufficiently developed. She preferred her 1946 recording with Jan Peerce as Rodolfo, and Toscanini conducting. To my ears, Jan Peerce was an excellent tenor and first-rate artist, but there was only one Beniamino Gigli.

MERAVIGLIOSI, INDIMENTICABILI E INSUPERABILI❤❤❤👏👏👏👈👈

Licia Albanese - RIP.

Superlo superarlo imposibile

I am reading Strange Pilgrims by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The story ‘Maria dos Prazeres’ mentions the two characters listening to this duet by Licia Albanese & Gigli. Awesome.

Una maravilla ,el más grande !!!!

Wow...

Gigli is a pure miracle! Could someone confirm his Che gelida is not an half tone down? His suppose to be high C seem so easy, I doubt it's a real one. And sorry for her fans, but Albanese, even if better than with Toscanini, is for my ears at a very lower level: strained high notes, plebeian style, too precious. I heard her in two studio recordings and many Met live broadcast and don't understand her such favorite reputation. The less known Kirsten, for quote an example of the same years, looks like much better (not to talk about Callas or Tebaldi).

Skylark: You are so correct...very few "Anglo's' are conogscenti enough to make your observation ! Are/were you a voice student? Gigli had, what is supposed to be the norm; a God given two octave "natural voice" without breaks in the registro's; and, he knew,due to his training by Prof Rosati, how to intelligently; use it to best advantage, without forcing ! Voice student who made the choice between career and "family", who has never been "sorry" but can't help wonder, what might have been ! Ciao

PURA DELICIA DE VOCES

Insieme a di Stefano dizione perfetta .

I THINK I HAVE THIS RECORDING IN MY COLLECTION, THE ORIGINAL 78 RPM'S

Profeta Mimí (1973) de José Estrada

Chi aveva detto che Gigli non aveva il Do a voce piena?

WE HAVE SEVEN LUNATICS

Vengo por 12 cuentos peregrinos :v

Lo siento, nunca me ha gustado la voz de Albanese, y aquí tampoco la dirección de Berretoni le ayuda mucho.

Fantástica Lucia Albanese y estamos hablando de 1938: canto y expresividad fantásticos. Antes de Callas se cantaba y muy bien ¿No parece que antes de Callas todo era desastroso? Definitivamente, no. Se cantaba y de qué manera.