SISTINE CHOIR SOLOISTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18207, 28 September 1922, Page 9

SISTINE CHOIR SOLOISTS.

THE OPENING CONCERT. ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION. The long-looked-for appearance of the soloists of the famous Sistine Choir became an established fact at the Town Hall last evening, when before the most enthusiastic gathering of music lovers seen for many a long day, this gifted combination of artists submitted their first programme of the brief New Zealand tour. Judging by the fervent reception accorded the singers at the auspicious opening concert, the success of the season is assured. The enthusiasm at times rose to fever heat, even phlegmatic pulses being stirred at the eminently satisfying and deeply appealing renderings of some particular masterpiece. Each well-trained singer possesses very definite qualifications for the combination, and apart from tho fact that every voice is of almost supreme excellence as regards timbre and range, there is just that human touch in the renderings which adroitly brings out the significance of the music. The general bearing and deportment of the vocalists inspires confidence and places the audience in a happy frame of mind as each one stands forth to sing his particular number. So many were the insistent, demands last evening that the programme was trebled in length, while at the close, after the inimitable rendering of'Funicoli, Funicola" (Denza) there was a fresh demonstration of delight from the audience, with the result that this item was repeated. The concerted items were given with great verve and richness of io»it\ tho result in many of the climaxes being thrilling. From the point of view of volume alone, the nine singers in the " Soldiers' Chorus," from Gounod's " Faust," would put to shame many a male voice society of 50 or 60 voices. This represents only one aspect of their remarkable renderings. In the solo department Signor Faccini established himself a firm favourite in his robust and intensely musical tenor renderings. His treatment of " Vcsti la Giubb;v" from " Pagliacci " (Leoncavallo), was invested with a rare degree of feeling, and in this and his numerous extras he won warm admiration. Something of a sensation was caused by Signor Paganelli, whose voice is not unlike John McCormack's. He is essentially an ecclesiastical singer, and his first nolo, " M'appari Tutt 'Amor," from " Martha " (Flotow), though it gave him opportunity for vocal liberties, was not so well suited to his style as the ensuing " Ave Maria " (Gounod). This was. in its way, a gem of vocal control and interpretation, which deeply impressed. Then came "La Donna e Mobile " (Verdi), for which the tenor earned enthusiastic applause. Rare baritone qualities were evidenced bv Signor Massaglia, whose cultured FYench diction was a feature of his singing of an aria of Massenet's and subsequent contributions. Signor Belli showed perfection of art in his finely-judged bassbaritone renderings, which included a song from " Salvator Rosa " (Gomez) and others. In the " Drinking Song " (with chorus) from " Cavallena Rusticana " (Mascagni) Signor Pasinati excelled, while Signor Constantini was also vociferously recalled after his bass-bari-tone songs. Another lyric tenor . whose refined singing won general approval was Signor Sarti, who scored well in " Core Ingrato " (Cardillo). Signor Emilio Casolari, the conductor and accompanist, was a tower of strength to the concert. His control was very marked, and employed in the most iirtistie manner. As an accompanist alone his influence was all-pervading, while in the role of conductor he galvanised his forces into uncommon activities. A well-selected orchestra, ably led bv Mr. Harold Baxter and controlled by Mr. Cyril Towsey, in two special numbers, Luigui's " Ballet Egyptian" and "Prelude ' (Jarnfelt), lent invaluable assistance in the ensembles. The second concert will be given in the Town Hall this evening.