GIGLI

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 28 November 1938, Page 8

GIGLI

A LIKEABLE CELEBRITY [By Air Mail—Own Correspondent! LONDON, 3rd November. Beniamino Gigli, one of Italy’s greatest assets, is due in London again in a few weeks to take part in an important London and provincial tour. 1 hear that the promoters of his recitals in this country had a little difficulty with the Italian authorities in obtaining permission for Gigli to fulfil his British engagements. For Signor Mussolini holds the view that the famous tenor has been away from Italy for too long a spell. However, negotiations between London and Milan clinched the arrangement. Gigli, born in 1890, may be said to be the worthy successor to Caruso, yet rarely was there a distinguished artist with so amiable a manner and so lacking in superficial "’temperament.’’ Time and time again I have watched him imperturbably and modestly dealing with quick-fire questions from interviewers, while satur nine Italian attendants hovered discreetly in the background, worrying! about the temperature of the room, the smoke from this or that cigarette, and the possible strain on the singer’s throat. But Gigli carried on. He is the most likeable celebrity I have met.