THE FIRST CAPPELLI CONCERT.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16310, 6 September 1918, Page 9

THE FIRST CAPPELLI CONCERT.

Tenors, scarce though, they be, seem the Most enterprising among foreign vocal artists, for of late to have been favoured by no others. One dimly remembora the period when Kirkby Lunn, Nordics, Clara. Butt, and "Watkin ilillj rcee as brilliant stax3 on our musical horizon. But, ever since, tenors have monopolised the concertstago in the persona of John McCormack, Paul Dufault —with repetitions—and now, last sight, Signor Cappelli. A very conspicuous member of the Cionsalez Opera Company, Signor Cappelli introduced himself a« "Trovatore," as "Edgar" in Lucia and "Don Jose" in Carmen, earning very high appreciation in these columns, both as Einger and actor in cach role. But operatio singers, compelled to dispense with their war-paint, supporting forces, and orchestra, are by no means sure of equal appeal in the sober atmo6phero of the concort-etoge, and xeduoed to the conventional get-up and habitual immobility. McCormack's concert form hardly permitted a true estimate of his merit and position in. the operatio world, and, on the other hand, Dufault, admirable concert 6inger, might bo comparatively ineffective in opera. Any doubts that may have arisen in regard to Signor Cappelli's making good under these changed conditions have been dispersed by his convincing demonstration at the Theatre Royal last night. Studiously impassive in attitude, he conveyed irresistibly all the same his fine tomperament and ©motional capacity, whilst his voice, | though apparently affected by a slight cold, exercised the same spoil, and displayed the same prominent merits as before. A wealth of fine music, mostly operatio, wa<s showered upon u* by the distinguished singer, "O Pnrudi&e," from Meyerbeer's "L'Afrioaine," Pecci&'s "Spanish Serenade," the two Rigoletto Arias, Verdi's "Romanza" and "0 Solomio," leading him through every j phase of dramatio expression, but 8.3 the brightest gem of the evening must bo regarded the Recitative and Aria, "Yesti la Guippa," from. Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci," and Signor Cappelli's art and force in singing it. Undeniable encores swelled his- own programme to nine different numbers, all rousing great enthusiasm. His confrere, Signor Cesaroni, also a member of the late Gonsalez Company, commands a very good, resonant boss voice, used with good effect and skill. He sang well the Pagliacci "Prologue," better the Aria from "Lucreaia Borgia," very smartly the "Marseillaise," and feelingly Bohm's "Still as the Night," though with', some unnecessary alterations. As a graceful act may bo described tho inclusion of a young New Zealand einger, in the person of Miss Natal in a McCallum, who made a very favourable debut, particularly with Denza'e "May Morning," and well supported by Mr Amadio on tho flute, with Sullivan's "Poor Wandering One," in which tho florid passages and trills proved good training and taste, and the voice specially attractive in the higher ranges. She was well received and twice heartily recoiled. Mr John Amadio submitted a really good programme, augmented by various encorcs.. Ho is a thorough master of his instrument, 'for whom no difficulties seem to exist. From the "Carneval de Venice" thero was no escape, although only given as an enoore-, otherwise he played well-chosen music with excellent taste and matchless execution, the latter best exemplified in "JL/iSncore' and the charming "Butterfly." Mr Harold Whittle is always heartily welcomed at tho piano, a conscientious, absolutely dependable accompanist of \taete and discretion*

A large houee expressed its feelings of admiration and enjoyment at every number of the interesting programme.

At to-night's concert Signor Cappelli will sing: (a) Ilomanzß, "Cielo e mar" (Ponchielii): (b) "Donna non vidi mai" (Puccini; and (a) "II Fiore" ("Cara4n"> (Bizet); (bj Clui Gelida manina CBoneme) (Puccini). Signor Cesaroni will sing "Intelico o tu Credevi' (Verdi), and (a) "Come del ciel precipita" (Verdi); (b) "I Will Not Grieve" (Schumann). Mr John Amadio will play (a) "The Sandman" (Brahms); (b) "Paganini's Witches' Dance" (Bather); and (a) "La Cvgne" (Saint Saens); (b) Caprice "Th 3 Wind in the Trees" (Briccialdi).