The Washington times., 1918-05-21
ITALIAN BENEFIT.
CONCERT IS GREAT
MUSICAL TRIUMPH
]. IIacB.

"A day Of wonder songs out OF
Italy" one might call the great Ital-
tan beneht concert for the war reiief
OF that land whose greatest artists,
AZ Polls Theater yesterday afternoon,
gave proof to a vast and distinguish
ed audience just why the words bel
canto" are inseparably associated
with her.
Caruso, OF the velvet, golden voice
the great Caruso who has no peers,
whose music is something apart and
vibrant with the warmth and tenn
perament OF the Southland, sang as
only he can sing. and at his best
Giuseppe de Luca and Nine. Frances
Aida foremost singers OF the Metro
politan Opera, with almost as notable
4 trio OF accompanies, one Of whom,
Erin Ballard. was delightful as solo
pianist. completed the personnel Of
contributors TO the cause OF Italy,
who appeared on this gala occasion in
the National Capital under the high
patronage Of Airs. Wilson.
The President and Mrs. Wilson
headed the list OF al the world who
completely flled the theater, and all
Available space was occupied by the
many standing. The Countess de Gel
lere, wife Of the Italian ambassador.
while TO Mrs. Henry F. Dimock this
most brilliant musical affair of the
season was due.
A united patriotism OF Italy and
The United States was given in song.
1Ir. Caruso and Mr. De Luca sang
with inspiriting fervor the great Ital-
ian national song, Italia Victoria"
while Nine. Aida took the brief for
the United States by singing THE
Star-Spangled Banner" She invited
the audience to Join her. which 1t did
Whoieheartedly.
And flowers galore. huge baskets as
tributes to the singers. wreaths tied with
the Italian colors. flower girls selling
their posies--it all lent a spirit OF Eayetv
70 the scene that the artists responded
to. Joy was in the air, goodfellowship.
and an irformslity that created most
genial atmosphere. giving a more init
mate glimpse OF the artists with their
Eraciousness and charm than Is usual IN
concert. The power OF music, Of beauti-
ful song How inexpressible a thing 1t
Ia
The rid. Pagliaceio.- the famous
sob song" Of Leoncavallo's opera, open
ed the program Of Mr. Caruso that had
not been announced. Master Of dramatic
effects Ia singing. il is in this celebrated
cong OF emotion that Caruso shows his
supreme power He gave II superbly.
The Rossini la DANA" was Italian
opera type Of lighter vein, and It was
lovely fluent Focaiization, so rare in a
man. and vital spirit
But there was another Caruso-the
singer ef enhancing songs OF Italy that
one does not hear. There Is thrilling
poFer IN the beauty. the indehnable. in
gratiatinE beauty Of tone. OF subtle
uuance and Interpretation that is alive
IN these songs. There was a NespoHtan
song for distinctive type. a "Talse lente"
that had dreamy lure in the soft vocal
charm OF It. -Sei Morta" Of JSsta held
q broad. impaEsioned top note, while the
sustaining quality in the very faintest
tone was as potent as a fortissimo.
Tosti's Luna d'Itale," a Castaldini
song OF Joy, and a tiny French bit.
scarcely more than a phrase. with its
-DeDuis, bon soir," gave host Of man
ner" in the rare art OF ItaIy's greatest
singer. her Eolden-voiced tenor, Enrico
Caruso
Mr.. De Luca gave generously Of his
opera repertory, a delight to opera-hun-
gry Washington. His voice Of great beau
". and that hneness and color that give
rare texture to his songs. Moods. too, he
evokes with that dramatic art that dom
mated the day
~ - AN DREAG style one
felt in his delightful Largo al Fac
totum" from The Barber OF Seville"
and in an encore he made the aria
from. lie Roi d'Ys" OF Lalo a rare
thing with the grace Of its softest
tones. song OF Deleva sounded
like sunshine and the sea even before
enc found that il was a "Canta II
mare" and a "Berceuse7 OF Gretchaui-
now and a song in lovely English
were exquisite. Two encores OF light |
opera mold and Italian spirit were |
the Viennese '-Serenata gelata" Of /
Buzzi-Peceia and al zampognoro" by |
De Levas
Nine. Aida was in joyous mood. and |
spring and joy came out Of her lovely ,
voice. She gave two arias from Puc- /
eini's 'Mauon Lescaut" The color Of /
her tones, the pure vocal beauty. and 1
90 this her art interpretations arc /
rare examples OF the spirit and the /
finish OF a real artist
She added the ''Vissi d'arte" from i
~nosca" as encore. A group OF songs /
IN English were varied. and Eratifv- |
Ing STORY songs" The one stern /
note was the Somewhere in France
that showed the great pathos Of her
rich voice, while her encores were |
songs OF spring
To Miss Ballard. a. solo pianist an (
enthusiastic appreciation was given.
most notable in such a celebrated /
company.