Digital Classics: DVDDC10009

Three legendary tenors

Caruso, Gigli, Björling

A singer’s voice is a reflection of who they are and understanding who a singer is can only increase understanding of their art. So says international tenor Nigel Douglas. And this is the starting point for this fascinating documentary in which Douglas sets out to discover the roots of the three greatest tenors who have ever lived: Enrico Caruso, Beniamino Gigli and Jussi Björling.

The film was shot entirely on location in Italy, Sweden and London. It contains archive footage of all three singers taken from newsreels, feature films and concerts. There are extensive examples of their singing and interviews with people who knew them, from the son of Gigli’s gardener and soprano Elisabeth Soderstrom to Mary Ellis (the original Rose Marie) who sang with Caruso during his last appearances at the Met.