GRAND OPERA IN SYDNEY.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 June 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)

GRAND OPERA IN SYDNEY.

“CAVALLERIA” AND "PAGLIACCI.”

(B? William Asprey in Sydney SunJ Mascagni’s “Cavalleria RusOcamr and Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacm for the reason that they are generally staged together, are:called the operatic twins. As° was proved by the production by the Williamson Imperial Company, they form an enjoyable evening s entertainment. 'They are melodious, they have passionate solos for the principals, each has a human touch in its plot, and intensely dramatic situations and Cavalleria’’ has its popular 'lntermezzo. "Pagliacci” also has an intermezzo, .and on the whole it is a superior musical As is usual, “Cavalleria” came first last night, and Anna Surani as Santuzzo added another success -to her foydney achievements. The soprano is a most emotional singer and actress, and she lost not one opportunity last night in displaying both gifts. “Dite Mamma,” “Foi lo Sapete,” and the duets with Turiddu and Alfio were exceptionally fine. Signor Greste de Bernardi was Turiddu, and with the Siciliana, 0 Lola, ch’ai di latti” (sung before the curtain rises), the duets, “Tu qui Santizza?” and "Ah! lo Vedi,” he is much occupied during the progress of the opera. The tenor acted with good spirit and intelligence, and the interpretation was one of his best' this .season. As Alfio the baritone, Ilio del' Ohiaro, was well placed, and sang well the song, “H cavallo scalpita,” and the duet, “Oh! 11 Signore Vi,” with Santuzza. Siglrorina Grazia Angelau looked the bewitching Lola, and she sang “Fior di giaggiolo” nicely. Miss Evelyn Hall was Mamma Lucia.

The soloists in “Pagliacci” were magnificent. Cesarina Valobra was a dainty Nedda, and her vocal work, which included the scena “Qua! flamma avea nel guardo,” and the beautiful duet, "Silvio, a quest mia” (sung with Silvio), were of the finest quality. Her acting, too, was excellent.' Sydney has not seen a more perfect Canio than Pedro Mirassou. He. is a great actor, passionate in the highest degree and ; most affecting in his emotional moments; His singing is always so certain and full of vocal colour, fully expressive of every meaning, to be conveyed. Granforte was again splendid as Tonio. His great voice, excellent in quality throughout his fine range to a ringing top A flat,' and his incomparable power of interpretation in the famous “Prologue,” gave the greatest pleasure last night. His (duet with Nedda, “Sei la,’’; was a triumph for both artists that was wonderfully capped by the baritone’s delivery of “Per la Virgin,” etc. Signor del Chiaro was fully successful, vocally and otherwise, as Silvio. He sang in the duet with Nedda with very ardent expression. Mr. C. Nicisysang “0, Columbine” well, and was altogether successful as■ Beppe' the Harlequin. Maestro . YFando Aldrovandi directed his orchestra, chorus and the general production of both operas with care and ability. The popular “Cavalleria” Intermezzo was very nicely played, and deserved 1 the applause -that followed. Maestro Aldovandi, with the principals, took several 'curtains' at the end of each act, and there was considerable enthusiasm at'the conclusion of each opera.

JOHN McCORMACK.

25 YEARS OF PUBLIC SINGING.

John McCormack’s concert at the Albert Hall, London, last month, was a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Irish tenor’s first appearance in London.

He Uses’ his voice',so well (says a Lqndon' writer) that there is no reason why he should not celebrate the 50th anniversary with almost equal success. There was an audience estimated to number 8000—an audience of . the I sort that applauds at the- beginning of a song when it recognises the tune. What ■scenes of enthusiasm! The auditorium was I freely splashed with the emerald green of , the hats, of the Loudon Irishwomen.

Mr. McCormack began with Bach. Two- serious, songs from Stanford’s ‘‘Triumph of Love” were unfamiliar music worth hearing. Later came Irish folk songs, arranged by Herbert Hughes. Many songs were sung as well as possible. True, there were the McCormack mannerisms; a frequently nasal quality off tone and some Italianised vowels (the “i” too long in “still, for instance). But the Irish songs were irresistible. Faultless, too, Rachmaninov’s song about the empty nursery. Mr. McCormack is selling his nine racehorses, which are in training in,.-Ire-land. “1 don’t mind singing for unemployed miners.” he said,’ “but I object to singing for 'unemployed horses. A stable costs too much.” GRETA GARBO. • ’’ IS, SHE ENGAGED! , , ■ A mystery has developed concerning the reported engagement of Greta Garbo. the famous Swedish film star, to Wilhelm 'Soerensen, son of a wealthy financier (says a,London paper). While Mr. Soerensen states that the report is “premature,” Miss Garbo will neither confirm nor deny it. The announcement of the romance in the newspapers has aroused tremendous interest. Many people in Hollywood believe that Miss Garbo is quitting the film colony forever at the . end of the month. . > .

Her manager. Harry Edinton, said that she would be going to Europe when her present film is finished, but he hoped that she would return to do ■some, more film work. He declared- the report of her engagement to be untrue. ‘‘l cannot think how the rumour could have started. lam afraid it has spoiled a pleasant friendship,” said Mr. Soerensen when asked in Berlin about the report that he was shortly to marry Greta Garbo.

■ “When I was at Hollywood,” he said, “we were certainly good friends, but to say that we were to be married is so premature that I expect'that Miss Garbo is furious about it all; as I certainly am. Whoever was responsible for the statement must have had malicious motives. .

“I cannot believe that Miss Garbo needs any publicity of that kind. To say that I have said anything that might lead anyone to 'believe such a thing is ridiculous. “I do not know now whether Miss Garbo will come to Berlin or not, but I am hoping that she will, so that I can explain everything.” Mr. Soerensen has recently written a book entitled, “Oh you Hollywood!” which is illustrated by Prince Sgvard, the Swedish. Crown Prince’s second son.