CAPPELLI.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14891, 14 October 1918, Page 7

CAPPELLI.

A GREAT CONCERT

The concert given at tne School of Music on Saturday evening by Signor Cappelli, the brilliant Italian tenor, and his associates, was. a ■ musical event that will live long in the..memories oi those who were fortunate enough to be present. Although the hail was well tilled, such an array of talent as that which appeared should have attracted an overflowing audience, especially in ■'Nelson, which prides ; itself on being a music-loving community. However, those present enjoyed. to the full a rare musical treatj and Were not slow in expressing their hearty approval of the efforts of the performers by enthusiastic applause. The artiste, too, were generous with their contributions, and the programme numbers were nearly trebled before the National Anthem concluded a delightful evening's entertainment. Signor & Cappelli was in magnificent voice, and delighted . his. hearers with his superb rendering of his opening number, "O Paradiso" (Meyerbeer). But to praise Cappelli is only "painting the lily"—he is a great artist, with a glorious voice, which he uses with wonderf luexpression and rare artistic, skill. The audience were emphatic in their approval, and in response to insistent applause-' Signor Cappelli gave a charming rendering of the original and delightful Spanish .serenade, "Lolita," by PecciA. In the second part Signor Cappelli gavo a splendid rendering of tne arioso from "Pagliacei," to which he sang as an encore , Verdi's "La Donna from "Eigolotto.' His treatment of both numbers was highly artistic. Madame Cappelli made her first appearance in Nelson, and received a " very cordial welcome. Her delightful rendering of the soprano solo, "Un ; bel di verdremo,'? from "Madame Butterfly," at once established her a warm favourite with the. audience, which was most demonstrative with its applause.' Madame Cappelli -graciously responded with the well-known "Beneath Thy Window" (Capua), and again won enthusiastic applause. Signor Lucine Cesaroni, the basso, made a welcome reappearance, and was accorded" a gratifying reception. His opening number, "InFelice," from Verdi's "Ernani, J>was entlrasiastically'received, and he responded to an encore with Tosti's "My Life's Ideal." His second number was Fontenailles* "Obstination," which achieved popularity on the occasion of-his. grsij visit to Nelson. This was splendidly "rendered, and a repetition was likewise demanded. One of Signor Cesaroni's most successful nurabe/s was Balfe's "From Rushy Beds," a laughing song, in which the singer's rich rolling voice was heard to great advantage, the laughing phrases being quite infectious. A repetition fsuled to ■ satisfy-the. demands of his hearers, and as an additional contribution Signor Ccsaroni sang with spirit f>TKe Marseillaise," the audience standing. Signor John Vitetta's skill as a harpist is well known in Nelson, therefore it was only to be expected that his items would meet with the warm approval of! those present.- His programme num-f hem were "Fantasia" (Poenitz) - and' "Mai-ch of the Men of Harlech"J (Thomas), fyoth of which wore given in! his usual finished style. As encores,! Signor Vitotta plaj^ed "The Harp Thatf Once Through Tara's Halls," and a;; specially arranged version of Sehu-3 berts "Serenade." Two items on the! programme which roused the audience! to the highest pitch of enthusiasm wero tne duet, "Miserere," from "II Trovatore.," by Signor and Madame Cappelli, with harp and piano accompaniment, and the trio from the same opera, in which ' Signor ; Cesaroni- also took part; The duetAvas magnificently rendered. and1 the. trio ..'was . a veritable"' triumph. Storms of ■'.''.applause greeted the artists, who -generously acceded-to. the demands ofV'the audienceby '-repeat--ing-practically the whole of both numbers —an exacting task. This notice would not be. complete without reference to the skilful and sympathetic) manner in-which Miss K. Fairhall, of Nelson, played the' accompaniments., Signor Capelli was delighted with the assistance rendered by this young lady. To-night the final concert will be given, when Signor Oappelli and his company will appear in an entirely new programme.' Seldom indeed do such artistSj as Signor and Madame Cappelli and Signor Cesaroni visit Kelson, and after the magnificent success of Saturi day night's concert, the School oi: Music should bo crowded this evening.