ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16902, 15 July 1918, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE CAPPELLI CONCERTS. Success, emphatic and complete, was achieved by Signer Cappelli on the occasion of his opening concert at the Town Hall concert chamber on Saturday night. The large audience present testified to the permanent impression made in this city by the gifted tenor during the Gonsalez Italian Opera season of 1916-17. Signor Cappelli -was in splendid form, and he thrilled his hearers with the glorious quality of his tones, whether voiced at the extremes of his wide range or in the middle register. His uncommon gift for probing tho beauties of an aria were markedly evident in the opening, " 0 Paradigo," from Meyerbeer's " L'Africana." The excorpt was sung with warmth of feeling,'the singer revelling in the exultant nature of the theme, which made much demand upon the use of the head voice. There is a manly virility about his upper register which is attained by few tenors. Following this was a striking rendering of Canto's"- arioso, " On With the Motley," from Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci," and little of the dramatic effect was lost. Following this came Denza's "Vieni," and Verdi's popular " La Donna e Mobile," both being sung in succession as extras. Signor Cappelli 's success in the second part of the programme was noteworthy. It would be difficult to excel the tenor's searching treatment "of the dramatic and appealing Romanza, "0, tu che in seno agfi Angeli," from Verdi's "La Forza del Destine" The intense climax to this made hi? vocal demands. The ensuing Spanish Serenade " Lolita " (Buzzi Peccia) wag a masterpiece of vocalisation, presenting difficult changes from chest to head voice. It was the closing number, but the audience was disinclined to leave, and Signor Cappelli contributed two additional items, after receiving an ovation lat the close of the Serenade. I Tho contributions by Signor Cappelli's t musical associates gave much delight, I every item being encored. Miss Veronica j Bedford, a young soprano with Australian | credentials, made a good impression in her songs, "Vissi D'arte" (Puccini), "Carmena" (Wilson), and later in the bracketed numbers "Ichabod" (Tschaikowsky) and " Serenade " (Gounod), the effect of the latter being enhanced by a tasteful flute obligate by lit. John Amadio. Mies Bedford has confidence, an ongaging stage manner, but less vocal exuberance at times, and more sympathy would add to the artistic value of her interpretations. Mr. John Amadio, solo flautist, provod a host in himself. Both in his pro-1 gramme pieces and encore selections ha presented bewildering technical effects with apparent ease. Moszkowski's " Serenata" and Sehubort's "Cradle Song" were beautiful examples of expressive cantabile playing, while German's "Gipsy Revels" and Chopin's famous " Valse " in D flat captivated all with their rapid figuration. Mr. Amadio's extra numbers included a fine study embodying the effect of two flutes being played, a national fantasia for flute and piccolo, and the exacting "Carnival do Venise." Signor Lucien Cesaroni (bass) made a deep impression in the popular " Prologue" from Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci." Later ho scored a success in the Verdi aria " Infolice e tu Credivi," and his subsequent thrilling singing of the " MarseluW' as a recall so roused his hearers that it had to be repeated. Mr. Harold Whittle displayed unfailing tact and technical resource- as accompanist. The next concert will be given on Tuesday evening.

" TEE BING BOYS ARE HERE." " The Bing Boys are Here" was played by the J. 0. Williamson Company before crowded houses at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday afternoon and evening. Jack Cannot and Leslie Holland, as the two country youths who go to London to sow their wild oats, were again responsible for the wildest mirth. Miss Minnie Love became more popular than ever, especially for her singing of "Every Little While." Clyde Cook and Mae Baird, two talented dancers, maintained their reputation. The colour scheme and the stage effects of this revue are remarkable. The performance will be repeated each night this week, concluding on Saturday night.

OPERA HOUSE. At the head of tho Opera House programme to-night is Winifred la France, who will be seen in a spectacle entitled "The Siren of the Deep." Wells and Wells, tumblers, will appear for the first time. Ward Lear, after a long absence, will present a humorous turn. Other artists to reappear are Maude Courtney and Mr. C, who will give a turn replete with new songs and hits. Tom Haverly's Irish Players will present the seventh Murphy adventure entitled "Murphy Marooned."