Beniamino Gigli was born on March 20, 1890, in Recanati, Italy, to a family that struggled to make ends meet. Despite the challenges, Gigli possessed a remarkable singing voice, which he honed over the years to become a renowned tenor.
After years of struggling to make a living, Gigli finally made his operatic debut as a tenor on October 15, 1914, in Rovigo, Italy, performing inLa " Giaconda". As his reputation grew, so did his stature, and he began to make a name for himself in the opera world.
Gigli's first recordings were released in 1918, and he was soon invited to perform at the prestigious Metropolitan Opera House in New York in 1920, alongside some of the greatest singers of the time. He went on to appear at the Met every year for the next 12 seasons until 1932, when he quit due to a wage dispute with the management.
During the 1920s and 1930s, Gigli was often referred to as the World's Greatest Tenor and was seen as the successor to the legendary Enrico Caruso. He began touring and performing around the world, and his performances were met with great acclaim.
Gigli's autobiography touches on sensitive subjects, including his connections to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler and Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. While some critics have accused him of being overly reticent about his ties to these figures, his autobiography ultimately portrays him as a human being capable of making mistakes.
In addition to his opera career, Gigli also had a short film career, which allowed him to reach new audiences. However, after the war, he was labeled a traitor by many Italians due to his connections to Hitler and Mussolini. He eventually cleared his name and resumed his career to critical success.
When Gigli felt his powers waning, he decided to retire, and his final performance took place on May 25, 1955, in Washington, DC. He returned to Recanati and passed away on November 30, 1957, at the age of 67.
