November 30 , 2007 marks fifty years since the passing of one of the wordls' most beloved tenors Beniamino Gigli. To commemorate his memory concerts will be held worldwide.

The celebrations will be centered in his birthplace Recanati, Italy where his tomb is being beautifully restored.

The Italian government is also issuing a special commemorative stamp in his honor. There will be gala concerts in Italy at a number of beautiful venues including Monfalcone, sponsored by the "Circolo Bel Canto Beniamino Gigli", and at Bagnara di Romagna.

The Gigli Association in Finland will also be honoring the maestro with festivities that will include a concert featuring performers of international note. Commemorative concerts will also be held in many countries including the United States, Austalia and South America.

The Finnish Beniamino Gigli Association has worked diligently to prepare a unique CD to honor the memory of this man who, from the most humble of beginnings, became one of the most masters of his art; the art of Bel Canto.

The disk contains nine performances from Gigli's world-renowned concerts in Finland in 1954 that have never before been released. But those that have been saved, and now preserved on this CD, are priceless.

There is also the only radio interview given by Gigli in any Nordic country, done in 1952, just before his last performance as Cavaradossi with the young Birgit Nilsson as his Tosca.

The first part of the disk is filled with arias and songs sung by Gigli during the 20th century's "Golden Age of Opera".

The text accompanying the CD will provide wonderful insight into his life and career and will aolso chronicle his historic visit to Helsinki. This work, a labor of love and respect, will surely provide many years of wonderful listening.

Helsinki on the 30th of November,2006

Torsten Brander, President of Beniamino Association in Finland
Tero Halvorsen, Secretary of Beniamino Association in Finland.