SISTINE VOCALISTS

Southland Times, Issue 19690, 24 October 1925, Page 8

SISTINE VOCALISTS

< THE SECOND RECITAL.

Last night the attendance at the recital given by the Sistine Choir Soloists was even larger than that which marked the first night of the season, and the enthusiasm, if anything, was more marked. The soloists were in much better form, though in some of the concerted singing the balance was hardly as reliable as on the first night, the tenors seeming to be a little stronger. The items in the first part of the programme were all well received. A vilanellea, a joyous work entitled “Chi la gagliarda’’ by Donata, was descriptive of an exhibition given by a dancing troupe and it was given with fine colouring. The humour of the intermezzo dei Snazzacamini by Banchieri, an interlude by chimney sweeps crying for orders, was delightfully portrayed, and the folk dance, also from “Pazza Senile” was remarkable for the excellent rhythmic effects and some fine tone colours. The madrigal “Spirito di Dio” was sung with excellent verve, and the encore number, a repetition of “O Salutaris” again captivated the audience, though the dimuendos were hardly so even as on Thursday night. The Pilgrims’ Chorus from “Tannhauser,” was given with more finish than on the occasion of the Soloists’ first visit to Invercargill, a tribute to the maestro and to the replacements in the party.

Last night Signor Auchner appeared as a solo singer for the first time. He has an excellent baritone, the upper register of which is used effectively in softer passages. He sang the serenade from “Don Giovanni,” “Deh! Vieni alia Finestra,” and a charming work as an encore. With Signor Paganelli he sang the duet “Dal tempio al limitar,” from “I Peacatori di Perle,” and as an encore they gave a humorous scene which was capably handled, although the intonation at times was unreliable. The duel scene from “Faust” was given by Signori Facchini, Burani, and Belli with excellent effect in tone, though the Mephistopheles alone was cast in the spirit of the scene. The latter portion had to be repeated in response for an encore, and it was concluded with more accuracy. Signor Belli had a triumphal night. He was really fine in the aria “Mille e tre,” from Mozart’s “Don Giovanni,” and “The Two Grenadiers” was a magnificent piece of dramatic singing, which by its marked superiority recalled a performance of it given some months ago by a much advertised singer. The aria from “Lucrezia Borgia.” Don Alfonso’s scene “Vieni, la mia vendetta,” might have had a little more fury in it, but it was certainly a fine effort and it led to performances of the “whistling song” from Boito’s “Mefistofele” followed by “La Colunnia.” Signor Paganelli also had to give a heavy programme, singing the prayer “Vergine tutt’ amor,” by Durante, followed by Schubert’s “Ave Maria.” Later he sang “M’Appari” from “Martha,” “Lolita,” and “La Donna e Mobile.” Signor Facchini sang “Che gelida manina” from Puccini’s “La Boheme,” and followed it with “O Solo Mio,” to which he had to add another item as an encore. Signor Sarti was also in excellent form, opening with “Non piu, Zaza,” from Leoncavallo’s “Zaza,” which he treated admirably. His work was very consistent, and he repeated his former successes. Signor Burani displayed his magnificent voice in the Prologue to “Pagliacci,” but he hardly gave the work the interpretative variation it demands. His encores were well worth hearing, because they gave one the infinite pleasure of listening to electrifying tones, but he is deficient in expression. Maestro Casolari played the accompaniments and conducted all the concerted work brilliantly. Of course, “Funiculi Funicula” concluded the season. It has been announced that the Sistine Soloists will return to Invercargill late in the year.