Leoncavallo: I Pagliacci

Leoncavallo: I Pagliacci

This is Beniamino Gigli's show, and he gives it all he's got, which is more than a handful of tenors have done in the last century, including the PBS Three Tenors. The voice at this stage of his career (1934) was glorious, warm, and full, instantly captivating. Gigli also gives a lot of his unbridled emotionalism, sobbing through the postlude of "Vesti la giubba" and throwing himself into the drama as if he were Canio in the flesh. His colleagues are topnotch: Pacetti sings with fervor, her big voice adding to the drama. Basiola is a treat, putting the drama first, but also delivering a true Verdian baritone sound. Nessi's lovely light lyric tenor is another plus, as is Ward Marston's remastering, which makes this the Gigli <I>Pagliacci</I> of choice, especially at Naxos's price. <I>--Dan Davis</I>