PUCCINI SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20309, 17 July 1929, Page 14

PUCCINI SOCIETY.

SUCCESS OF CONCERT.

Members of the Puccini Musical Society gave (.heir second grand concert in the Town Hall concert chamber last even ing before a largn audience. Under the baton of Signor Costantini an ambitious programme was given in a manner that reflected the greatest credit upon the artists, whoso work, without exception, was 01 a high calibre. The audience was unstinted in its appreciation, and the insistent demands lor encores, which wero graciously acceded to, marked the pciformnnce as one of the most successful ever given in Auckland. The choir, which numbered nearly CO, was heard to effect m several outstanding numbers, chief among which were the Russian folk song, " Volga Boatmen," an excerpt from " Cavaliena liusticana " " Grand I'rcghiera," in which Miss G. Ross was the soloist, and " Ave Maria," in which Miss C. Duncan sang the solo part. Mention must also be made of the singing of Misses D. Jenkins and G. Duncan and Messrs. J. Hurry and .J. Do Montalk in the "Grand Quartet " from " Rigoletto," and a piano duet, "Zampa Overturo," played by Misses G. Eraser and K. O'Lcary, who were also the accompanists for the evening. Miss M. Brown was the violoncellist, and was heard to advantage in tho opening " Priere." Tho work of all tho soloist;?, both with the choir and individual renderings, was warm and spirited, and their contribution to a delightful evening's entertainment was bv no means a light one. In addition to thoso already mentioned the program mo included tho following:— Misses E. Herbert, O. Raster and Mrs. Johnston and Messrs. J. Caldwell. H. Valentino, J. Fisher, E. Mitchell and N. Mulgan,