Three Original Notebooks of Song Lyrics de Gigli, Beniamino. (1890–1957)

Used; Like New/Used; Like New. Three small original notebooks of typed and handwritten song lyrics, created and used in recital by the great Italian tenor. The small ring-bound notebooks contain lyrics in Italian, French, English and German to arias, lieder and art songs performed by Gigli, typewritten and arranged in order of performance. The lyrics to the English and German songs are rendered phonetically with Italian spellings, leading to such amusing spellings as "Sooftli gos mai songs entriti thru dhe nait tu dhi / In dhe sailent wuuds ai weit dhi / Com mai loof tu mi." ("Softly goes my song's entreaty through the night to thee / In the silent woods I wait thee / Come my love to me." A few handwritten corrections are made to the typed lyrics throughout; one song (Serenata Triste) written by hand in pencil. Two of the notebooks contain set lists at the beginning of the notebook, with the songs in the relevant order afterwards. Black leather and faux leather covers. Toning, some pages with tape repairs, but overall fine. 3 x 5 inches (9 x 13 cm).
In lyrical and romantic repertory, many regarded Gigli as the legitimate heir of Caruso. He made his professional debut as Enzo in La Gioconda at Rovigo in 1914 and his Rome Opera debut as Faust in Mefistofele in 1916. He later debuted at La Scala in 1918 and first appeared at the Met in 1920, singing every season there until 1932 when he returned to Europe.