26 NOVEMBER 1927, Page 11

Among the recent vocal records issued by His Master's '

Voice, one has impressed me more than all the others. This 'record is of- Beniamino Gigli singing Recondita armonia (" Tosca ") and, on the other side, Donna non vidi mai (Puc- eini's " Manon "). The opulence of Gigli's tone is freely bestowed upon both these excerpts ; and, thanks to the new recording, it is possible to stay the course with this ringing voice without taking the precaution of half-closing the gramo- ' phone doors. The smoothness and resonance of his tone are so successfully combined that Gigli's achievement must now be ranked as one of the highest among living opera tenors.

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