Origins & Early Life

Beniamino Gigli ( JEE-lee, Italian: [benjaˈmiːno ˈdʒiʎʎi]; 20 March 1890 – 30 November 1957) was an Italian opera singer (lyric tenor). He is widely regarded as one of the greatest tenors of his generation. Gigli was born in Recanati, in the Marche, the son of a shoemaker who loved opera. His parents did not, however, view music as a secure career.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Beniamino's brother Lorenzo became a well-known painter. In 1914, he won first prize in an international singing competition in Parma. His operatic debut came on 15 October 1914, when he played Enzo in Amilcare Ponchielli's La Gioconda in Rovigo, following which he was in great demand. Gigli made many important debuts in quick succession, and always in Mefistofele: Teatro Massimo in Palermo (31 March 1915), Teatro di San Carlo in Naples (26 December 1915), Teatro Costanzi di Roma (26 December 1916), La Scala, Milan (19 November 1918), Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires (28 June 1919) and finally the Metropolitan Opera, New York City (26 November 1920). Two other great Italian tenors present on the roster of Met singers during the 1920s also happened to be Gigli's chief contemporary rivals for tenor supremacy in the...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Agatha Christie — Contemporary (Born in 1890) (1890): The 'Queen of Crime,' a master of the mystery genre, best-selling author of all time.
• Aimee Semple McPherson — Contemporary (Born in 1890) (1890): Pioneering Pentecostal evangelist, famous for founding the Foursquare Church.
• Alfred Jodl — Contemporary (Born in 1890) (1890): German general and war criminal, known for his role in the Wehrmacht High Command.
• Aga Khan III — Contemporary (Died in 1957) (1957): 48th Imam of the Nizari Isma'ili community and founder of the All-India Muslim League.
• Aliko Dangote — Contemporary (Born in 1957) (1957): Nigerian billionaire founder of Dangote Group, a major industrial conglomerate.
• Arturo Toscanini — Contemporary (Died in 1957) (1957): Intense Italian conductor, master of orchestral detail, and pivotal figure in 20th-century music.
• Alex Gorsky — Shared historical date (03-20 · Born) (1960): American businessman, former Chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson.
• B. F. Skinner — Shared historical date (03-20 · Born) (1904): Pioneering behaviorist who developed operant conditioning and radical behaviorism.
• Abdul Basit 'Abd us-Samad — Shared historical date (11-30 · Died) (1988): Renowned Egyptian Quran reciter, celebrated for his melodious and deeply engaging vocal style.
• Ali Hassan al-Majid — Shared historical date (11-30 · Born) (1941): Notorious Iraqi military figure, cousin of Saddam Hussein, known for brutal repression.
• 1890 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1890
• March 20 (03-20) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on March 20
• 1957 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1957
• November 30 (11-30) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on November 30