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“GUISEPPE GIACOMINI: Tradizione e arte del canto
("The tradition and art of song") Bongiovanni GB 2526-2
Accompanied by the Symphonia Perusina, conducted by Guido Maria Guida

Verdi LA FORZA DEL DESTINO: "La vita e inferno al infelice… O tu che in seno al angeli"

Giordano ANDREA CHENIER: "Come un bel di di maggio"

Giordano FEDORA: "Amor ti vieta"

Puccini LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST: "Ch'ella mi creda"

Verdi AIDA: "Celeste Aida"

Verdi OTELLO: "Dio mi potevi scagliar"

Verdi OTELLO: " Niun mi tema"

Cilea ANDRIANA LECOUVREUR: "L'anima ho stanca"

Leoncavallo PAGLIACCI: "Recitar… Vesti la giubba"

Meyerbeer L'AFRICANA: "O paradiso"

Puccini LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST: "Una parola sola… Or son sei mesi"

Giordano ANDREA CHENIER: "Un di all'azzuro spazio"

Puccini MADAMA BUTTERFLY: "Addio, fiorito asil"

Blessed with a wisdom rare among opera singers today, Guiseppe Giacomini waited until his voice was mature before undertaking the tenore di forza repertoire. He has enjoyed a career spanning over 30 years and he is in prime voice for this collection of arias from the many roles he has performed in the theater.

The “Otello” excerpts leave one hoping that Giacomini will have an opportunity to record the entire opera. Giacomini possesses a heroic instrument that is thrillingly virile and dark like burnished mahogany with a visceral ring at the top. Although the basic core of the tenor’s voice is heavy, his technical expertise enables him to vary the dynamics of his voice, shaping the musical line with a seamless legato for a maximum of expressive effect. Giacomini’s musicianship is impeccable and his diction is exemplary. Giacomini is as passionately committed in the other arias, proving himself an excellent exponent of the Verdian and verismo vocal styles.

Guido Maria Guida capably conducts the Symphonia Perusina which provides decent accompaniments for the singer. For some of the arias, (“Amor ti vieta” and “Ch’ella mi creda” for example) Giacomini favors leisurely tempos and Maestro Guida allows the tenor to indulge in tasteful rubato without weakening the pulse of the musical line.

The sound is good with the balance favoring the singer. The accompanying booklet has an entertaining article on Signor Giacomini and information on Maestro Guida and the Symphonia Perusina; texts and translations of the arias are not included.

“GUISEPPE GIACOMINI: Tradizione e arte del canto” (Bongiovanni GB 2526-2) can be ordered from Bongiovanni at http://bongiovanni70.com/

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