CESARONI RECITAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 141, 10 March 1919, Page 6

CESARONI RECITAL

Mr. Lucion Cesaroni's second recital in Wellington, given in (he Concert Chamber of the Town Hall on Saturday nifiht, was as enjoyable as the earlier recital had. been. The programme was a particularly attractive one of the lighter order, and the selected numbers gave the vocalists opportunity to be heard at their best. Mr. Cesaroni's splendid bass voice loses none of its charm on closer acquaintance. Its rich tones are controlled in a masterly way; they can swell to stirring volume and. sink to an almost tenor-like clarity. The singer, moreover, is a great artist, and he interprets the spirit of his numbers with fine effect. Mr. Cesaroni's first number on Saturday night was the prologue from "E Pagliacci" (Leoncavallo), a rich and graceful composition that tire singer made most interesting. Then he gave the solo, "Come dal ciel precipita," from "Macbeth" (Verdi), and "Stabat Mater" (Rossini). In the second part of the programme ho sang the charming grand chorale e canzone "PilT Paff" from "Les Huguenots" (Meyerbeer). With Miss Tel'fsa M'Enroe and Mr. Herbert Wood lie gave tlw famous "Faust" trio, "Holy Angels" (Gounod). Miss M'Enroe sang the part of Marguerite, Mr.' Wood was Faust, and Mr. Cesaroni was Mephisto. It is enough to say that the Italian basso was in his b;st form throughout the programme. He was called upon for several r?eall numbers. Miss M'Enroe, who again sang most pleasingly, _ gave as her solo number "Caro Nome" (Verdi). With Mr. Wood she sang the duet "Miserere" from "II Trovatore" (Verdi), and a colonial soiu: "Sentimentals" (Percy Grainger). This is an interesting com- ' position, in which the author, a vellknown musician of Australian birth, has tried to express his idea of the colonial soul. It is sentimental, tuneful in a simple way, rather subdued and not unattractive.* Mr. Herbert Wood sang as a solo the sparkling Sullivan number "Take a Pair of Laughing Eyes." Miss Ethel Bignell plaved the pianoforte snlo "Ba!lade"in ft Minor" (Grieg), with nice precision of* touch and adequaio feeling. Mr. Harold Whittle again proved himself a verv capable accompanist. There was a large and highly appreciative audience.