A SINGER'S TRIUMPH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21289, 16 September 1932, Page 14

A SINGER'S TRIUMPH

CONCERT BY GALLI-CURCI Jp. TWENTY-ONE SONGS IN EVENING CREAT DISPLAY OF ARTISTRY '- - - B ■ imß Almost every scat in His ■ Theatre was occupied last, evening Galli-Curci gave the first of a series of lit three concerts which will assuredly W ;j&. classed as the great musical ovent of the l|§| year. Those who remembered the-famous, pi singer's triumphant Auckland season in. 1925 were delighted to find her beautiful- i( voice unimpaired, still gloriously supple || and bird-fike, and her technique ths last %• word in perfection. Excepting the favourite'"Shadow Song" from Meyerbeer's "Dinorah," there was nothing massive in the fc| gramme, but what was lacking on th«v ./* grand scale was more: than compensated £§ by the plenitude of- lighter pieces, giving; scope for that equisite delicacy of treatment that is her chief call to fame. GalliCurci sang twelve songs and gave nine encores, a total of 21 songs in the course, of the evening. In years to come, when the name of Galli-Curci has become history, this voice will be a treasured memory in the hearts of those who then will constitute the older, generation. A Captivating Personality , %

The use of the '.theatre instead of a hall for the concert permitt od a charming; intimacy. Every fleeting expression ou the singer's face was clearly visible and her moods are so volatile that this was an absorbing study in itself. Thunderous applause greeted, the familiar little figure with the jet-black hair, bewitching smil? and flashing eyes and teeth. It was a re*, ception born of friendly recollections, and some moments elapsed before the singer was permitted to commence her first song. It was the slow, graceful "Se tu m'ami,"! with which she opened, her first programme in Auckland seven years ago, and memories came floating back. - It was sung quietly, serenely, perfect tone accompanying the pianissimo parts, and at once th» audience was enthralled by the limpid notes, the almost unbelievable'control .of the voice and the singer's absolutely unaffected platform presence.. Never straining for effect and never once forcing the voice, she sang "Chi vuoi la zingarella" (Paisello) and the haunting "O del mio amato ben," the staccat» fragment "Whither Runneth My Sweetheart" and, in response to the applauses, a 16th century French song, "La Petite Jeanneton." which splendidly /demonstrated her powers of articulation, and. Tosti's "Serenato." Songs Gay and Sad Galli-Curci opened her second group with a song in Spanish, ' Cantar. Popular," followed by. the amusing jeu d'esprit, "Les Filles de Cadiz." A striking contrast was provided by the almost heartbreaking pathos of "D'une Prison*' (Hahn), the voice fading away at the end to a mere whisper. "Lo, Here the Gentle Lark,"; with Ante, was bird-'song, pure and serene. In returning the singer gave "La Paloma," x "Clamelitas," and "L'Armeau d' Argent" in French. A delightful little inconsequence was "The Second Minuet," • with which the third cycle of song was opened, serving to display the singer's ingenuous command of facial- "Deep -in my Heart" was sung with deep emotion and it was followed by the perky" "Littla Damozel," which is the kind of thing id which Galli-Curci has no peer. Recalled, she sang "My Old Kentucky Home." "Little Rain Drops" (Wohlfarth-Grill), with its pit-a-pat comedy, "Recuerdas ir (Marie Greves), and "In the Luxemburg Gardens." It • was "The Shadow Song," however, which she reserved for . the end, which showed off in most striking fashion her amazing resourcefulness in singing 'embellishments. Here was the coloratura voice at- its best. As a final encore she sang "Home Sweet H onie " The flautist, Mr. Raymond Williams, is a delightful player, whose solo and obligato work was much admired. He played "Serenade" (Hue), "The Littla Shepherd" (Debussy) and "Gigue'\ (Le Clair), giving Mr. Homer Samuel's com-! position, "Autumn Leaves Awhirl," by way of encore. Mr.. Samuels, who was well remembered from his last- visit to Auckland, sympathetically accompanied , Galli-Curci and played three modern solo pieces in an expressive and unassuming style that found great favour. They were Debussy'® beautiful "Reverie" and nursery joke, "Golliwogg's Cake-walk." Galli-Curci's second concert will b« given to-morrow evening.