CAPPELLI

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 266, 30 July 1918, Page 7

CAPPELLI

SECOND CONCERT AT OPERA HOUSE Cappelli charmed another largo audieneo at the Grand Opera Houso lasi, evening. Seldom is it that wo liavo tho pleasure of hearing a singer who i> so perfeotlv equipped vocally, artistically, and temperamentally as Gappeth. .there i« a satin smoothness of tone, an entire absence of the tremolo favoured by tl.o old Italian school of vocalisation, and such spirit at tho back of his voice that oiio can onlv sit );Mk ontrJiuccd iil Irio beauty of il'all. Last evening he introduced that romanco of musical splendour "t./ielo e Mar" (Heaven and Ocean), from Puucliielli's opera "La Giaeonda," which lie interpreted with a radiance and passion that simply entranced the audience. Puccini, most melodious of the modern Italian composers, was represented bv the aria, from "Manou Lescaut," entitled "llonna n<ui vidi mai" (Never Did I Behold), a lovely number, that was suns with exquisilo grace and feeling, and later Cappelli sang "Your Tiny Hand is Frozen," from the opening act of 'La Boheinc," which served over so sweetly In revive memories of that finn opera which so aptly cmbadies the_ whole gamut of Ihe emotions- "On With tho Motle.v," from 'l.ca.icacallo's tragic Oicrctta "I I'agliacci," gavo tho tenor an opportunity to display his rare art in highly dramatic song. Tlio effort was a filio one. and earned the singer «■ storm 01 applause. His encores were. "'La Donna Mobile" (from "Figoletto"), and the charming ballads "Lolita," "Mattinatii," and "Vieni."

Mr. .1 oli n Amadio was again in luatejiless form. Tiicro is no flautist within Hie memory who gels s.o much out of the flute, as this brilliant artist, and certainly none whose tone, colour, and phrasing can compare with the work lie presented last evening. The llute is not 0110 of the usually accepted solo instruments, but M'r. Amadio is able to hold audiences enthralled with his fine execution, and ihe feeling he can infuse into his playing. As a display of tone in tho pure he piaved Brahms''"The Sandman," and in contrast Paganini's "Witches' Danco/' set for I lie (lute by Buclier, and every bit as difficult as" the violin setting. Then followed a littlo national medley, which concluded with "The Marseillaise,'' played with great fervour and ll.rilling oil'ert on ll.e piccolo. Tn the second half Mr. Amadio played "Lb Cygne" (Saint Saens), and thai wonderful caprice "The Wind in the 'frees," a. elas.-ic for Hie llute packed with weird, rushing, chromatic runs and eerie trills, which suggest the title most realistically. The applause which followed elicited the "Carnival do Venice" and "Home, Sweet Home," with amazingly beautiful variations. Signor Liieien Ccsaroni, who was in heller voice than ou Saturday, sang I lie aria "Infcliee i: lu Credevi," from Verdi's ""Rrnani," very well indeed, and,

as encores, lie', with commendable ri--i'l've. the ballads "Until" (Sanderson)

and "Obslinaii'in" (t'onleiiaille.s). Later, the big basso sang "Come dal eiel Precipila" (from \'e.di's liltle-known opera "Maibel!i"), and "I Will Not Grieve" (Schumann), and as encores "The Marseillaise" and "Vorrei," a very graceful ballad, in whieli the basso showed more

art Hum in any of Ihe other numbers heard during the season. Miss Veronica Bedford, Ihe soprano of the company, sang Landon Uomild's ballad, "Down in Ihe I'lirvl." "Spring's .Awakening," and "Ave 'Maria" (dounod) with flute obligaln .by 'Mr. Amadio. Mr. I'-irold Wl.illle's arlistie aeeoui-

p:i!ii.nei:U are an abiding joy to all concert lovers. T!i" ii.'nl concert in AVellington will be given ll.i* evening.