CESARONI RECITAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 139, 7 March 1919, Page 6

CESARONI RECITAL

\ A CAPITAL CONCERT. One of tbe most delightful operatio concerts given in Wellington for a long timo was that given under the joint management, of Signor Lucien Cesaroni and iir. Harold Whittle. The programme consisted lor the major part of excerpts from the operas. Signor Cesaroni, with considerable experience behind binij was a host in himself, and being -in capital form, gave his audience of hie very beet. It was a rare treat to hear the big basso intone the Homeric 'Tiff Paff" solo from "Les Huguenots." He was aleo heard to advantage in the aria "Nonnes qui Itepose," from "Itobcrt lo Diable (Meyerbeer), and the melodious "Infelice" number from "Ernaui" (Verdi), for which ho was recallwl again and again. In the second part, Signor Cesaroni sang with fine feeling "0 Star of Eve" from "Tannhauser" (Wagner), the only weakness being his English diction. In "Vulcan's Song," from Gounod's "Philemon et Baucis," he was in hie element, making good use of a very serviceable inezza voce in the piano passages. Finally, he sang a jovial "Laughing Song," and encored once more, he sang that attractive ballad "Obstination." Miss Teresa M'Enroe was in brilliant voice. She sang the "Jewel Song," from "Faust," with rare intelligence and marked beauty of-lone, making light of tho difficulties' that beset so many singers in this florid number. For an encore sho 'sang "Fairies in the Garden" '(Ijslrmann). Miss M'Enroe also lent distinction to Dvorak's "Songs My Mother Taught' Me," and gave sprightly character to "Will o' the Wisp" (Spross), a number which gained much from the skilful accompaniment of Mr. Whittle. Encored, she sang "Birthday," a charming song by Cowan. Mr. Herbert F. Wood, the popular txsnor, resuscitated "Love is Blind," from "La Mascotte" (Audran), and sang it with all the zest and finish which characterised his work in the opera over a year ago. When recalled he sang with a good deal of charm, "Wait." One, of the most interesting numbers on the programme was the Percy Grainger Australian folk song, freakishly entitled, "Sentimentals," set for tenor, soprano, and piano. Mr. Grainger pays musical' tribute to Australia in a somewhat odd, yet etrangoly beautiful, way. "Sentimentals" is a without words, the notes being merely intoned on open vowels either in unison or harmony. Tho piano part is somewhat weird and showy, but withal attractive. It would perhaps be better to hear the number again before a considered judgment is given. The concert produced a brilliant pianiste in Miss Ethel Bignell, who gave a fine performance of the Bach-Taiisig "Prelude arid. Fugue in D Minor," which the young player interpreted with 'extraordinary strength and vigor. Miss Bignell should have a futurp. Mr. Harold Whittle accompanied brilliantly.

Another concert is to be given tomorrow evening.