OPERA ROMANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 235, 4 October 1928, Page 8

OPERA ROMANCE.

WEDDING IN AUCKLAND.

PICTURESQUE CEREMONY AT ST. BENEDICT'S.

FEAST OF COIjOTTR AND MUSIC

CHURCH THRONGED BY CROWD.

Before the flower-decked altar of St. Benedict's Church to-day Signorina Nina Algozzino and Signor Remo Diotti, of the Fuller-Gonsalez Grand Opera Company, plighted their troth, Never has Auckland Been a more picturesque wedding, and never have the circumstances leading up to the union been of a more romantic nature. The happy pair met for the first time on board the ship which brought the company from Italy early this year. It was a case of love at first sight, and Auckland has a happy interest in the romance by being chosen as the place for the wedding. The interest which Auckland people have taken in the match was evidenced by the size of the crowd which assembled outside, St. Benedict's Church this morning. For a full hour before the ceremony they "waited with a -feeling of keen anticipation, the majority in the gathering being women. The approaches to the church were thronged, and bride and bridegroom had some difficulty in making their way through the J crowd. Inside the church a large congregation awaited their advent, and, to the strains of the bridal chorus from "Lohengrin," Signor Diotti and Signorina Algozzino walked up the aisle. The service-was conducted by the Right Rev. Dr. Liston, Monsigflftr Ormond being assistant priest. The bride'was given away by Sir Ben jamin Fuller, and the best man was Signor Francesco Federici, a well-known member of the company. • The bridesmaids were Miss Anita Pagni and her sister, Miss Rena Pagni, daughters of the late Mr. Pagni, who was for many years Italian Consul in Auckland. Little Lola Palazzi Harte, the youngest of the bride's attendants, carried a lovely bouquet of stocks, sweet peas and fern, from which hung the ribbon in the Italian national colours of white and green. The majestic beauty of the service will long be remembered by those who were present. The stately ceremony was enhanced by the glorious music of Gounod's "Messe Solennelle," which was sung by the St. Benedict's choir, nearly fifty in number, under the conductorship of Signfir Costantino. The Italian national colours were the predominating note of colour at the weddingj breakfast, held at the Royal Hotel. flag hung in the background, and the top table was a mass of flowers sent by members of the company and the many friends of the young couple. Among the presents were a gift of a dressing-table perfume set, in Cut glass, from Sir Benjamin and Ladv Fuller, a lovely bronze statuette from members of the chorus, a flower Vase of Royal Worcester china from the orchestra, ja, tea service' from Signor Vanucchi, a table service from Signorina Primmer," and many other tokens of Signors Giovanni and Ernesto Gonsalefc presented a cheque,

Tie Wedding Music. .The wedding music was admirably sustained by St. Benedict's Choir, directed by Maestro Irnenp Costantino. Parts of Gounod's "Messe Solenne" were .devotionally rendered; "The Kyrie Eleison" was impressively sung, an exultant rendering was given of "The Gloria in Exrelsis," and also of Signor Genoccho, leader of the Gonsalez Opera Co., played as an intermezzo very delicately Beccl's "Lea 'Ames d'Amour," and Mascagni's "Ave Maria" was expressively delivered by Miss Rita Madden. The tenor solo Til the mass was finely sung by Mr. C. Fagau. The organ accompaniments were admirably registered by the organist, and she played tastefully the "Bridal Chorus" from "Lohengrin" and brilliantly Mendelssohn's "March" as the bridal party departed from the ehureb. There was a representative gathering of the principals, chorus and orchestra of tho company, amongst whom were Maestro Giovanni Gonsalez, Signor Ernesto Gonsalez, Signorini Margherita Flor, Maria Heinkina, Silvestri, Massa, Frima Conga, Pfrimmer, and Signors Alfieri, Scamutaa, Federick, Vannucci, Bergamini, Rota and A. Folli. Mrs. John Fuller, sen., Mr. and Mrs. John Fuller, and Mr. J. Fitzgerald were also other invited guests. A-Charming Bride.

Wearing a frock of black satin beaute with a handsome cape of black velvet, Signorina Nina Algozzino was the cynosure of every female eye amoii<r the large crowd that collected at St. "Benedict's Church this morning, io witness the popular mezzo-soprano become tho wife of Signor Renio Diotti. Although sombre, the black gown of the bride struck a most effective note. The departure from the white and pastel shades of bridal raiment is explained by the fact that the Signorina is still in mourning for her sister, . who died some months ago. A small black hat and golden fox furs completed the ensemble.

and a beautiful bouquet of white flowers and maidenhair fern was carried. The bride was attended by Misses, Anita and Rina Pagni. They wore smart ciel blue jumper suits and small close-fitting blue hats. Beautiful bouquets of flowers in delicate shades were carried. Little Lola Palazzi made a pretty little flower girl wearing a cream silk' frock and carrying a basket of flowers. On the arm of Sir Benjamin Fuller, who gave her away, the' bride came slowly down the aisle of the church, followed by her retinue. The bridegroom was supported by Signor Francesco Frederici as best man. Maria Henkina, the Russian soprano, and Signorina Costantini were also in attendance. The former wore black satin with rhinestone trimming and a large black hat with a.beautiful natural spray of orchids on one shoulder, and Sig- j norina Constantini M ore black satin with white fox fur and a black hat. Senora Gonsalez wore delphinium blue with a small straw hat to match, and golden fox furs. After the ceremony a reception was held at the Royal HoteL "