Aida, Metropolitan Opera 1939

Gigli as Radames

The famous Italian Tenor, Beniamino Gigli appeared regularly at the Met in the 1920s but left in 1932. He returned for just five performances in 1939, one of which was broadcast. The only parts that survive are the final 15 minutes of Act 3 and the final 8 minutes of Act 4. If you wish to hear a complete Aida with Gigli you can choose between the 1939 Covent Garden performance recorded a few months after this broadcast, or the 1946 EMI studio recording.

Metropolitan Opera House
February 4, 1939 Matinee Broadcast

AIDA
Giuseppe Verdi--Antonio Ghislanzoni

Aida....................Zinka Milanov
Radamès.................Beniamino Gigli
Amneris.................Bruna Castagna
Amonasro................Carlo Tagliabue
Ramfis..................Ezio Pinza
King....................Norman Cordon
Messenger...............Max Altglass
Priestess...............Thelma Votipka
Dance...................Maria Gambarelli

Conductor...............Ettore Panizza

http://rapidshare.com/files/447840424/Aida393.mp3
http://rapidshare.com/files/447840425/Aida394.mp3