BEAUTIFUL ITALY

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 3, 4 July 1922, Page 5

BEAUTIFUL ITALY

SCENES, fiISTORY, AND SONG.

A most interesting address on Italy— its history, scenic beauties, paintings, sculpture, and music—was delivered by Mr. Leo Buckcridge at St. Andrew's Schoolroom. The lecture was , the result of two and a-half years' residence in Italy—from 1896 to the middle of 1898—during which time Mr. Buckeridge studied voico production under such famous masters as Quaranta, Blasco, and Piccoli. During his stay in Italy, tho lecturer visited many of.','the. most famous historio and scenic spots in that land which has been associated with some of the most important events in : the world's history. The exquisite scenery- at Lake Como was desoribed in picturesque language, and the musical festivals at tho great opera house in Milan were dwelt upon with enthusiasm. Mr. Buckcridge, who was in excellent voice, sang a number of songs in Italian, showing the special value of the soft Italian tongue in song, commencing with threu of Quaranta's compositions—"Vuoi Saper," "Lasciali dir tv M'Ami," and ono in French, "O Ma Charmanto"; also, a lender little song "Far From Theo," tho words of which he had himself written at Lake Como, the music being composed by Piccoli. Ho also gavo a finished rondering of Tosti's "Aye Maria" (playing his own accompaniment) ; also Verdi's "II Laccrato Spirito" (from'the opera, "Imion Boocantgra"). Tosti's ."Vorrei Morir" was given by Miss Natusch with great expression, and Miss Sigrid Lynneberg gavo a very beautiful rendering of Tosti's "Mattinata.'' Tho accompaniments of Mrs. Natusch wero a fcaturo of tho musical part of the entertainment.