RECANATI - The newly-restored tomb of legendary tenor Beniamino Gigli has been unveiled at the Recanati Civic Memorial Cemetary, climaxing a two-year long project to bring back the celebrated monument its former glory. Gigli, known in his day as 'Gigli Primo', is celebrated as one of the best tenors of all time and lived between 1890-1957.

 He performed around the world including regularly at the Met and at Buckingham Palace. His voice is often described as "soft and honey-like," as he sung mezza-voce tenor, with uniquely light and delicate sounds for a male singer. 

 The original tomb from the 1930s had suffered so much water damage over the years that the internal structure was affected and the frescos had been ruined. The restoration project was taken up by Prof. Simone Settembri; a celebrated restorer who is currently working on Raphael masterpieces on show in the Vatican Museums. He worked in collaboration with Prof. Elisabetta Vinciguerra also from the Vatican Museums restoration, as well as Prof. Alfredo Beleggia.

 With the financial support of the Art Bonus, the commune of Recanati, the Association of Beniamino Gigli, the Arene Sferisterio Association, personal donations from fans, and the considerable support from the Marche region, this two year-long project has been completed, and with great success: “The work which has been done is exceptional, thanks to an unparalleled collaboration network,” were the words of Beniamino Gigli Jr., the opera legend’s direct grandson, at the opening ceremony on July 20.

 Gigli’s brother, Prof. Catervo Gigli, a graduate in Fine Arts and Sculptor, was the original artist who designed the family mausoleum after the Gigli parents passed away in the 1930s. His main inspiration for the tomb was the greatest funereal structure of all time: the Egyptian pyramid. And so, in resplendent travertine marble, the majestic funereal pyramid was built in the Civic Cemetary of Recanati, nestled between the smaller mausoleums of other Recanese families.

 At the opening ceremony of the restored tomb, attendees marvelled at the dazzlingly white pyramid, which brilliantly reflected the sun’s rays, contrasting with the deep blue Italian summer sky behind. With the slender Italian Cypress trees providing a suitably dramatic backdrop for the monument, it really is something to behold. Inside, the original frescos by local master Arturo Politi have been restored beautifully, capturing their original unique glory. Although in the style of Egyptian art, the depictions are that of Christian iconography. A bronze statue of Gigli sits to the left, sculpted by brother Catervo himself, while a golden-robed Jesus watches over Gigli’s tomb in the centre. The outside is decorated tastefully with a row of lilies, carved into the marble by the great Biagio Biagetti.

 As the Gigli tomb commemoration came to its end, the famous Gigli version of Bixio’s Mamma was played as family members and admirers looked on. Indeed, it was a moment of great beauty; the mayor of Recanati, Francesco Fiordomo, had quite rightly said at the ceremony: “The restoration project seemed essential as the Gigli tomb is such a symbolic place, offering fans and enthusiasts from all over the world a place of beauty to remember the great Beniamino Gigli.” As a famously modest man -  to this day he remains officially the most generous singer in history as he held so many charity concerts that he raised more money for others than any other musician – his family believes that he would have liked for his tomb to become a place of beauty and encounter between those who share the same passions.

 Although over 50 years have passed since his death, the Gigli legacy still lives on and his music continues to inspire and change the lives of many. On the initiative of Beniamino Gigli Jr., ‘La Grande Occasione International’ took place on May 26 of this year, a competition where ten of the best opera singers from China and Italy were invited to perform at the prestigious Conservatorio di Roma. The competition aims to promote opera and in particular the bel canto of Gigli, and to put these talented lyric singers on the scene: “a young student who has the aspiration at the highest level must be heard by important judges in the opera world in order to get anywhere,” says Gigli Jr.

 In honour of the great Beniamino Gigli, a concert was held in the Gigli museum in Recanati on July 20, where spectators were treated to the gorgeous sounds of tenor Carlo Giacchetta, the Marchesian opera singer who is the star of Il Barbiere di Siviglia on Aug. 16 at the Gigli Opera Festival in Recanati. Naturally, he invited Beniamino Gigli Jr. to sing alongside him on stage, as well as Gigli’s great-granddaughter, Asia Chanel Gigli, pianoforte student at il Conservatorio di Musica di Santa Cecilia in Roma who impressed with their musical talent, despite in their professional lives as a paediatrician and a student of engineering respectively.

 As the sun set over the Leopardian hill and the Giglian pyramid of Recanati, this special day held in the name of one of the greatest tenors of all time came to an end. Thanks to the restoration of this symbolic tomb and the work of the Beniamino Gigli Association and the Marche Region, the joys of opera and lyric music will continue to flourish and be appreciated across Italy.

…Mother, I am so perfectly happy

Because I am coming back to you!

I wrote this song to tell you

That today is the most beautiful day of all…

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