ELSA STRALIA RECITALS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 292, 10 December 1925, Page 18

ELSA STRALIA RECITALS.

Before a delighted audience in the Town Hall last night the Elsa Stralia Concert Company gave its second concert of the season. A programme'of exceptional interest was' presented, "and the artists gave delightful interpretations of the- works. The musicians were recalled, again and again, and were obliged to add further solos.

Madame Stralia was in magnificent voice, and sang splendidly from first to last. Him- performance will, dwell long in the memory. Sho has a tone'of colossal power, capable of the most sensitive inflection, which was manifested irt the forcible way she sang in the Verdi , duo and the exquisite manner- Poldovjski's "La June Blanche" was unfoWpd. Isabella's aria. ''Roberto, o tv che adoro," from Meyerbeer's "Roberto il DiavoTd," received a powerful and declamatory rendering. The opening Andantino was sung with much feeling and anguish, the descending chromaticisms, sustained intervals, and broken . phrases wcro; executed with perfect intonation and variety of colour," whilst the §eene in the key of F minor was delivered with intense feeling and submission, whilst a telling climax was made in the stringendo passionate music of the finale, the contatrice concluding with a declamatory and powerful performance of the sustained head notes, A and B flat, and the subsequent descending rapid arpeggios. After this fine display the prima donna was enthusiastically encored. Leonora's and II Conte di Luna's duo from Verdi's "II Trovatore," was graphically rendered, and was one of the most enjoyable performances of the concert. Madame Stralia and Mr. Navarre were warmly acclaimed at its termination, and sang Mozart's "La ci Darem" ih a charming way. Poldowski's "L'heuro Exqtiise" ami Bachelot's "Chere ' Nuit ,- were beautifully expressed, as was-also "The Waters of Minnetonka," to which was added a tastefully played obligate by violinist, pianist, and organist. After the pleasing delivery of "Coming Thro' the Rye" the soprano was heartily encored.

Paganini's violin "Concerto in D Major" was played in a style by Mr. Al Cbuhaldin which revealed the many beautiful features of the music, the cantilena parts were executed with finish and delicacy of tone, whilst the low notes' were of 'cello timbre, the scales floated upwards and downwards with pearliness, and a bravura delivery was obtained of the cadenza. Doubly encored was the artist at its conclusion. Solos by Kreisler, Chopin, and Sarasate were also admirably given. Air. Andre Navarre gave a powerful rendering of MacFadyen's "Inter Nos," Verdi's "Eri Tv" received an effective delivery, and Carl Bohm's "Still as the Night" was smoothly and expressively delivered. Mr. Alex. "Sverjensky played with distinction the accompaniments, and gave capable renderings of pianoforte solos by Liszt, Glinker, and Debussy. The organ parts were tastefully played by Mr. M. Barnett.

To-night in the sp.vne'flail another concert will be given, when Madame Stralia will sing Verdi's "Eraani Involami," Massenet's "II est "Herodistej" and Liefnvelli's •"Amore Amor."