The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-01-27
MULTITUDE WELCOMES
GAll|-oU.l ! IN SUPERB
CONCERT At AUDITORIUM
BY ROR ROY


Amelia Galli-Curci, coloratura so
prano of the Chicago Opera com
pany, appeared in concert last night
at the City Auditorium, assisted by
Manuel Berenguer. f1utist, and Homer
Samuels. pianist. program of seven
numbers several of them composed
OF groups, was extended by the ad-
dition Of numerous encores
The concert opening was DELAYED
until nearly nine O'Clock. due to the
difficulty OF seating the vast audience
which turned out to hear the famous
cantatricc. We have seen crowds at
the auditorium, before, but that OF
last '-.4Ght exceeded in numbers any
previous audience which has as
sembled at the auditorium within re-
collection. Every available seat was
taken both on the floor and in the
gallery, and an audience immense in
itself, occupied the stage. Every
owner of a talking machine, and
everyone who hoped some day to own
one, Was present For the reputation
of this remarkable artist has been
made largely through the medium OF
the record.
1t was noticeable that the operate
numbers were the most enthusiast
cally received. Gaili-Curi, in SPLEEN
did voice, gave such familiar airs as
the Caro- Nome" from Rigoletto, the
"Sempra Liberia" from Traviata, and
the shadow Song" from Dinorah. in
all of which her voice has become
well known TO her numerous auditors.
Her performance of the Shadow
Song. little short of thrilling. and
that of the Trayiata aria, were startl-
ing in their briiiiancy and evoked
storms of applause.
Gali-Curci, beComingly gowned in
black decolete, and with her jet
black hair seA off by some decoration
of red was Y charming little fgura
and the business-like way in whioh
she trotted on and off the stage was
n delight. She responded to no less
than four recalls after her first group
af songs in which she made a most
favorable Impression. and recalls
thereafter were frequent
She sang numerous English songs
in which her enunciation was sur
prisingiy good, and in which she was
easily understood. a rare improve
rnent upon the usual foreign artist
OF her English bers. the Lass
with the delicate air" the ''Swanee
River" Loves Old Sweet Song" and
Annie Laurie" evoked great ap-
plause and these numbers were
warmly received, especially from the
stage, toward which several OF these
were sung.
Whatever fault critics may have
found with Gaili-Curcis voice, her
audience last night found none There
were moments, 1t must be confessed.
when her tones were slightly below
pitch, but the clarity Of her voice and
its wonderful carrying power made
her singing of the highset perfection
Indeed, there WAS no point In the
house. however remote, tn which her
tones, even at their softest did not
carry. Both In the lower registers OF
fulness OF quality was evident Truly.
this is the voice OF a generation and
unequaIled in its sphere.
The contribution of Mexsrs Beren-
guer and Samuels to the success of
| the concert Was very great Mr..
Samuels proved himself an accom-
PIANIST OF no mean gifts and his play
ing OF the various numbers WAS of
| high excellence Mr. Berenguer the
| f1utist. in his ob!igato parts, and In
! his Chaminade Concerto, displayed
remarkably fine mute tone. as we'll
as n high degree of adaptibiIity. His
concerto was received with much &C
| claim. and he added an encore num-
| Der in response.
/ Last nights concert touched a high
mark in all respects and one heard
no dissenting voice. 1t was a very
great pleasure to hear this great ar
fist, whose last appearance here was
in the May Festival OF three years
ago. Since that time. abe has firmly
established herself as one OF the
! greatest artists of her time.