Gigli torna negli USA dopo 6 anni - 1938

 

 

 

 Rafters Tremble as Gigli Makes Chicago Debut

BY EDWARD BARRY.

Beniamino Gigli has returned to the American operatic stage after an absence of six years. After eighteen years of waiting a Chicago opera audience has at last heard the great Italian tenor in the flesh. This au- dience reacted to the double excite- ment of a long heralded return and a long awaited local operatic debut by putting on a demonstration that all but blew the roof off the Civic Opera house.

There was plenty Of enthusiasm in the early acts of last night s "Martha," but the real tempest of rapid fire applause and shrill whis- tling did not break until the " M'appari " was over. Mere was a genuine ovation which enlisted the whole house and which ranked among the greatest spontaneous tributes which this city has ever paid an artist. The show stopped dead in its tracks alid to remain so unless rules were set aside and an encore granted. It was granted....

The cause of all this pandemonium was the little man with the round, trusting face who from 1921 on has worn at least a portion of the mantle of Enrico Caruso. He it was left New York's Melropolitan in a huff in .l%:2 and who conducted with Giulio Cal ti-Casaza, the Metropolitan's di- rector, an argument which (lid noth- ing- but prove conclusively that both men were in the right. The argument concerned money, the dignity of an artist, and probably a round dozen other matters.

Last night s performance of the "'M " was in the great Italian tradition. H-lere were tone colorings calculated to mist the eyes of the most hardened operagoer, phrasings Of such exquisite delicacy that the audience hardly dared to breathe until a cadence of some sort came along.

'The voice is soft, round and lumi- nous. Its overtones produce subtle colorings of extraordinary beauty. Mr. Gigli's general style, except for some mannerisms which will be noted directly, is distinguished by a ravishing purity of line and by an apparently effortless legato.

However, when a chance for a big effect comes along, Mr. Gigli misses very few bets. His style becomes oratorical, his voice almost harsh. Yet in the "Marta, Marta" phrases of the " M'appari" he exercised a praise- worthy restraint and kept all sugges- tion of a sob out of the tone.

Mr. Gigli proved that at 48 he is quite able to carve for himself, if lie wishes, a second American career.

Helen Jepson sang the title role and did some very :ine things to "The Last Rose of Summer"- especially to its second stanza. Her execution of the little turn- which adds so much 0o the DoinLanev of

the melody s middle section had pace and sureness as well as ravishing tonal beauty.

Roberto Moranzoni on the conduc- tor s stand cooperated nicely with his soloists and did the best lie could with the ensemble numbers.

Business Club Juniors.

The Junior Business and Profes- sional Women's club will hold a bene- fit card party and style show this aft- at the Hlotel Knickerbocker. Proceeds will go to the scholarship fund. Miss Marguerite Brown is in charge.