FRANCES ALDA RECITALS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 9, 5 October 1927, Page 3

FRANCES ALDA RECITALS

BRILLIANT SECOND CONCERT There is positively no doubt whatever about eno vocal quality anti supreme artistry of Madame Frances Aldas sing, ing as revealed at her second recital, given last night in tho Town Hall. Compared with her first appearance on Saturday, she was a different woman. Both Binger and accompanist were in felicitous accord almost throughout, and a liighly-appreciativo audience testified to its full enjoyment of the programme with unstinted applause. Tho programme was one suited to. all tastes, and comprised many beautiful numbers. In the first group were Caccini’s "Amarilli,” aud “Pastovale” (Varacini), Monro’s “My Lovely Celia,” and Dr. Arne’s charming old English eong, “The Lass With the Delicate Air,” to which was added, as a recall number, an appealing romance, “In the Time ’of Roses.” The first three were conceptions of appealing beauty. It is in songs with a tender emotional theme that Madame is' undoubtedly at her best as a platform singer, and in these she greatly moved her audience. The Arno number she sang with lively grace and appropriate gesture, that quite captivated the listener. . , . In the next group were Hue’s “J’ai Pleure en reve,” and "A des Oiseaux,” and Foudrain’s “Chanson Norvegiennc," the recall numbers being tho fine old negro, spiritual. “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,’’ and “The Star” (Rogers). One enjoyed immensely the song to the birds, which began “Good day, little w.arble,<." sung iu a sprightly elf-like spirit. In the opera group, Madame sang two numbers from Puccini’s "Manon Lescaut,” “In quelle trine morbide.” and the minuetto. with splendid r ”.n and perfect artistry, adding the same composer’s very popular prayer from “Tosca,” “Vissi ’d’Arte.” The concluding numbers were Rueben s attractive song, “I Love the Moon," Curran’s “Rain, a picturesque phantasy; the oft-sung "Minnetonka,” and Teresa del Riego’s “Thank God for a Garden,” adding as recall numbers two of her Saturdav evening items. Leone s “Birth of Morn” and “The Open Secret ” and making her final bow amid thunders of aP Mr l ' lS Cyril Towsev was in excellent form’ in Chopin’s “Scherzo in B Flat Minor,” and Schubert's “Imp-omptu m B Flat” addin-r as his recall number to the 'latter, Chonin’s cljarming “Nocturne in'F Sharp Minor.’. For to-morrow night’s final concert a special programme of excerpts from grand opera is announced. The famous sor...ano will bo h u»r<l in arias frow Gimdano's onera. “I” Cena della Beffe, "Faust,” “Madame Butterfly,” "La Bohome,” etc. The box plans are at the Bristol,