CAPPELLI CONCERT SEASON

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 6, 2 October 1918, Page 6

CAPPELLI CONCERT SEASON

.There was only a very moderate attendance <it the Opera House last evening at tho Cappelli concert. Probably t'iio wind and rain were responsible for thi! vacant chairs. But though the audience 1 was not a large ono it was composed of numbers' of well-known musical people, who followed every item c«; tho excellently-arranged programme with absorbing interest. Signer Cappelli, who was in excellent \oiee, appeared in tho third number of tho programme, and was received with great onthusiasm. His superb rendering of "La Rive dra nell estasi," from Verdi's "Masked Ball," fulfilled all expectations, as tho Hood'of melody filled tho Opera House. Truly C'appelli's is tho "voice of gold." Ho sings as carols the lark, simply and naturally: there is no forcing of tho notes of tho upper register, and no irritating mannerisms. Italian, too, is surely tho language of song, with its flowing vowels and beautiful rhythm of its verse. The second item, tho "Cavatina" from Verdi's, "I Lombardi," also had a very enthusiastic reception. The popular tenor was most generous, and sang numerous encores. Signer Lucien Cesaroni, the basso, opened tho programme with the well-known "Redemptor Mundi Deus" (from Mozart's "Magic Flute''), which ho sang remarkably well, and in lighter vein, as an encore, he gave a very popular item, the,laughing tong (in I'lnglisn), "I. Laugh at You." ' In tho second part of tiio programme Signer Cesaroni sang "The Star of live," irom 'Wagner's "'J'annliauser,' - " with great dignity ami feeling, and as an encore added the "Marseillaise" with indifferent success—but one must not too captious over a compliment,. especially a compliment, to our gallant Ally. Another' oncoro capitally rendered by the basso was Tosti's "Parted."

Mr. John Amadio's carefully-diusen and arranged repertoire was excellent throughout. His opening number was Oliopin's haunting "Nocturne in F Sharp Major," which ha rendered with all his accustomed delicacy and refinement. This was followed by the equally popular Chopin "Valss in D Flat." Ho played as an encore that charming old English ballad which held quite three generations enthralled, "Believe Me if all Those Endearing Young Charms." On the piccolo Mr. Amadio gave a brilliant and dashing rendering of the "Marseillaise." A "Minuet" by Beethoven and "Spring" by Terschak were tho flautist's contributions to the second half of the programme.

Miss Natalina M'Callum lias a very sweet, rather thin voice, which has heeir really well trained, and is well produced. Her enunciation is unusually good-. Every word of her songs was distinctly audible throughout the Opera House—which cannot be said of many young singers. She sang "The Valley of Laughter", (Sanderson) and. "My Heart is Singing" as an encore, and 'later on in the evening. "Spring's Awakening," sung with great vivacity and charm.

Siguor Cappelli brought a delightful concert to a close by singing I'oito's epilogue. VGnito sul passu," "Celcstei Aula," by Verdi, and "La Donna o* Mobile," Vrom "Rigoletto." Mr. Harold Whittle's Accompaniments arc bevoud praise. His tempo is perfect, and his restraint and artistic self-effacement commendable indeed. A great deal too much light was shown for a concert.