OPERATIC CHAMBER RECITAL

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12407, 29 March 1926, Page 9

OPERATIC CHAMBER RECITAL

PERFORMANCE BY SIGNOR OESARONI. The Operatic Chamber recitals successfully introduced # locally last winter by Signor Lucien Cesaroni, the famous basso, are being repeated this year. However, here id the difference. Most of th© arias of the 192 G season are being sung in costume, while the number of recitals has been increased from four to five. On Saturday evening the finst was given and th© studio hali was well filled. The programme opened with tho introduction of “11 Pagliacci” (Leoncavalto), played by Mr Harold Whittle, whoso interpretation left nothing to be desired. Then followed the “Prologue,” by Signor Ccsaroni* This aria, which revives the old Grecian idea of a player coming forward and apolAgising for the limitations of the actors, has tremendous dramatic possibilities. Th© singer made the most of these and artistically worked up to the magnificent climax which was greeted with rapturojs applause. Tbe cucoro number was “Arm. Arm V© Brave.” from “Judas Maceabaeus,” given in a line lofty conception. Two arias, one from Meyerbeer’s “Robert 1c Diahle.” ami the other “Song of the Whistle,” from Boito’s “Mephisfcophclcs,” both abounding in dramatic passages, were realistically rendered, and tho encore number was Signor” (TostiL However, th© host was yet to come. The final number, “La Cnlumnia,” From llossini’s “Darbicro. .Siviglia,” full of bombastic humour and byplay, had to be repeated. Tho audience insisted. No small credit is duo to Mr Harold Whittle, who played the accompaniments. while Miss Ivy Middlwnb's played two sonatas by Scnrlalti, and a caprice from Beethoven. Her work was marked bv olcnsing artistry.