Forza RAI 1938

Gina Cigna

To commemorate the 125th anniversary of the birth of Verdi RAI in Rome broadcast La Forza del Destino throughout Europe. All that seems to survive from this earliest live broadcast of Forza is Act 2 Scene 2 recorded from a shortwave relay by NBC station WJZ New York.
The recording features the famous Italian soprano Gina Cigna (1900-2001) who was most noted for her interpretation of Verdi heroines. She made a number of important early studio operas including Turandot, and can be heard live on stage in Aida and Norma from the Met. So far as I know this is only live recording of her in Forza.

Verdi - La forza del destino - Act 2 Scene 2
RAI broadcast, 10 October 1938
c. Oliviero De Fabritiis
Orchestra & Chorus - EIAR Roma

Leonora di Vargas - Gina Cigna
Fra Melitone - Emilio Ghirardini
Padre Guardiano - Giacomo Vaghi
https://rapidshare.com/files/1361298058/1938Forza.mp3