GALLI-CURCI.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 224, 21 September 1932, Page 3

GALLI-CURCI.

THIRD AUCKLAND RECITAL. CROWDED AUDIENCE DELIGHTED. The audience which crowded ( His Majesty's Theatre, last niglit to hear Madame Galli-Gurci's third concert, was so large that many people had to be content with a seat in the wings of the stage. As a matter of interest it might be mentioned that it was, from the financial aspect, possibly a record for the house. Undoubtedly the great secret of GalliCurci's enormous popularity is that she possesses to a rare degree that indefinable something which, for the want of a better term, has been described as "it." As at her previous recitals, the dainty little lady speedily sang her way into the affections of her listeners, who demanded encore after encore, 24 songs in all, being given. Her opening group last night consisted of four old English songs, Haydn's "My Mother Bids Me Bind My Hair," "Where the Bee Sucks," by Airne, "May-Day Carol," and "The Pretty Creature." These were 'sung with a charming grace, and, in response to insistent recalls, she gave the familiar "Serenata," of Tosti, and a pretty little French ffong, "La Petite Jeanneton." The exquisite "L'heure silencieuse (Staub), opened the' second_ group. This was followed .by Arditi's "Parla," "Verborgenheit,"' one of Wolff's beautiful songs, sung with a deep appreciation of the sentiments expressed in the words; and a coloratura number, Bishop's "Pretty Mocking Bird," given with flute obligato played by Mr. Raymond Williams. These contrasted numbers served to display the wonderful versatility of the artist. In the last the voice and flute echoed each other in trills, runs and intervals, the rapid florid passages being taken with the greatest of ease. This provoked an outburst of applause, and three encore numbers were given; the first, a Tango, "La Monteria" (J. Guerrero), delivered with a fine sense of rhythm; the second, a quaint Alsatian folk-song, sung in the Alsatian dialect, and Max Roger's charming "Wiegenlied." The final group comprised German's "Who'll Buy My Lavender," given with a nice regard for nuance; Sinding's delightful "Sylyelin," sung very sweetly, and a dainty whimsical morceau, "Pierrot,' composed by Mr. Homer Samuels. These brought forth another demonstration, _ in response to which Madame gave "Drink to Me Onlyi" Valverde's "Clavelitos,' the Spanish "Recuerdos," the latter to her own accompaniment, and "Quierio "Qui 1 a voce," from Bellini's "Puritani," completed the programme. This coloratura number, in which the soprano was admirably supported by Mr. Homer Samuels, pianist, and Mr. Raymond Williams, flautist, demonstrated anew her singular facility in this field of song. In response to prolonged applause Madame concluded with "Home, Sweet Home,' "Comin' Thro' the Rye," and 'La Paloma." Mr. Raymond Williams gave fine support to the singer in the arias, and displayed a mellow tone in bis solo number, "Fantasie," by Hue. Mr. Homer Samuels manifested great taste and sympathy in his work as accompanist, and also gave as solos Palmgren's placid "May Night,' and, as a contrast, the lively Uncle Remus," by Morris. The usual cheering crowd surrounded the prima donna's car upon her departure from the theatre. An additional concert is to be given on Saturday evening, at which, in addition to new numbers, "Lo, Here the Gentle Lark," and "The Shadow Song" will be sung, in response to numerous requests.