Experiencing Gigli with Quality Audio: Exquisitely Beautiful Singing

Music is a foundational language of being human. The singing voice can speak and depict the human condition with great expressiveness, and plays a hugely important role in music. However, scant attention has been paid to vocal reproduction in hi fidelity reproduction of music. Despite his huge profile as an opera singer, now, many years after his passing, Beniamino Gigli has been overlooked by many. These two themes intersect as no artist no longer living can be better recognised than being brought back to life by playing their music. Yet, with a singing voice as remarkable as Gigli’s, no ordinary attempt at audio reproduction will do it justice. Not only does this book explore and explain what is involved in the hi fidelity reproduction of the voice, it also discusses why Gigli’s singing is special and is still relevant in our musical era. His music highlights in stark relief changes that have happened in the recording and playback of music. In addition, while changes to listening practices have been well-studied, the implications for the experience of music have not. As Ernest Hemmingway said, most people never listen. Listening is an art, choice and gift. Through Gigli, this book also provides insights into the value of thoughtful listening. Listening begins and ends with, and is inseparable from, patience. When we make the time, music can gives us a glimpse of something beyond the horizons of materialism or our contemporary values.