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What sets Gigli apart from nearly all other 20th-century tenors? His singing is full of contrast. Such 19th-century holdovers as De Lucia varied dynamics, tone color, rhythm and, sometimes, notes. Most singers since at best have had or have created one sonority of individual character, at one dynamic level. Caruso and those who followed him mostly sang at full voice. Pavarotti and company do little varying of dynamics and seldom shade their tones, using the same color to express both happiness and sadness.
Gigli had many sonorities and two basic dynamic levels, loud and soft. Non ti scordar di me finds him in peak form and provides a key to some of his best art, making clear that it was based on chiaroscuro--the contrasting of tone colors, usually in response to words, and of soft passages with loud. He repeats the title song, singing it differently.
Gigli made extensive use of a vocal technique known as "covering," involving darkening the tone and modifying vowels, almost as if some were schwas (like the "uh" sounds in "America"). Early in the film he sings a song, "Mille cherubini in coro," "closed"; repeating it later, he covers so heavily that if you aren't sure to what the term refers, you'll know after hearing him do it.
For this film, one of Gigli's accompanists, composer Ernesto De Curtis, wrote "Non ti scordar di me" and "Addio bel sogno," while Alois Melichar fashioned Schubert's "Wiegenlied," into "Mille cherubini in coro." - Stefan Zucker
Gigli: Non Ti Scordar Di Me Reviews
Gigli: Non Ti Scordar Di Me Reviews
| 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful  You'll Enjoy This Movie!, By This review is from: Gigli: Non Ti Scordar Di Me (DVD) This movie was made in the 1930's. It features the acting and voice of one of the greatest tenors and singers of all time, Beniamino Gigli. It is a rare treat to be able to hear and see such a wonderful artist who left the scene over 50 years ago! The story is VERY good. I won't go into details----just trust me on this one. It "gets to your heart". For a "mere pittance" that is less than the price of two movie tickets you can have one of the greatest singers of all time right there on your TV screen. And, you don't even need a "seance" to bring Gigli back! This movie is well worth the cost for the experience it provides. Buy it, you'll like it! :o) Email:boland7214@aol. 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful  1935 Gigli vehicle a delightful surprise!, By This review is from: Gigli: Non Ti Scordar Di Me (DVD) After the great tenor Gigli was essentially dropped by the Metropolitan Opera, he went to Europe and made a number of films. I expected little from this 1935 curio, but it surprised me.The story, built around a series of musical numbers by Gigli, is quite effective. Well-written and well-acted by the lead actress, Gigli, and the rest of the cast. The language barrier between the leads is the most realistic depiction I've seen in a film of people attracted to each other but unable to communicate because they don't speak the same language. The early scenes aboard the ocean liner are very well-done and give one the real flavor of crossing the Atlantic in the 1930s. And there is real suspense about how it will end. This is no great film, but you do care about the characters. I was nearly biting my nails to find out what decision the conflicted heroine would make at the end. This is not the film to appreciate Gigli's brilliant singing, which... Read more 4 of 6 people found the following review helpful  ok melodrama, By Beth "bethiejw2" (Mesa, AZ United States) - See all my reviews This review is from: Gigli: Non Ti Scordar Di Me (DVD) Non Ti Scordar Di Me is an old melodramatic movie that stars the opera star Beniamino Gigli. A woman marries a lonely widowed father (Gigli) on a rebound. When the old lover enters back into her love she has to choose between responsiblity and love. The plot of the movie is generic but the music makes up for it. Gigli doesn't have much of a movie persona here, but then this was his first role. He makes up for it with his amazing tenor. The movie is in English, though the songs are in Italian and not subtitled. 2.5 rounded to 3. |
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