The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-05-18
IN
THIRD CONCERT
DELIGHTS $500
Grand Opera Has Not Spoiled Col
oratura's AttractIyeness ON
Concert Stage.

comes from the most SUCCESSFUL
season in opera in Chicago and
New York, and sings TO q commun-
fly of this kind songs Of the people,
such as "Suwanee River Loves
Old Sweet Song" and Annie Lau-
re" she makes an impression which
will never be forgotten-the audi
ence at the Coliseum last night was
completely captivated by the sing
er's selection of encores, and espe-
cially these three, which she gave
In succession To a group near the
close of her concert.
Three encores by so famous an
artist were an unprecedented DEM
onstration of generosity and the
tri-cities may sometime forget the
heavier numbers and more note
worthy work of the artist, but the
strains of these songs OF the peo-
pie will linger always. Some day
this generation may say as the old
er folks say of Jenny Lind, no one
could sing out ballad numbers
quite as She"
Galli-Curci completely dropped
her grand opera manner last night,
and sang in a to-the-people man
ner-onIy it was Galli-Curcfs con-
cert manner, the most gracious and
affable Her creed is to sing from
the heart to the heart, and she GER
tainly did it last night. Her audi
ence responded to this undescrib-
able oneness and was warm in its
response to the efforts OF the
greatest coiorature soprano of this
age. From the moment she step
ped upon the stage to her fourth
or fifth bow tone lost COUNT and
bowling kisses with which she con-
cluded her third triumphant visit
to the tri-cities, she was the sim
pie, sincere. cultured, womanly
little artist who in 1916 took Chi
cage by storm and ever since has
held her foremost place in the
ranks of singers.
Her reputation made then has
been established in the large cell
tiers and smaller cites where she
has sung. Critics have never ceas-
ed to be seeming effusa in their
praise of her workout to those
who have heard her they have not
been half suDerlative enough. The
audience last night did not even
cease applauding when the singer
returned to the platform followed
by her accompanist and husband,
Homer Samuels, promising more.
No Voice Like Hers.
There is no voice quite like CALI
Curci's, SO no comparison can be
made 1t is a God-given gift, but
the singer herself has been untir-
ing in developing the unusual tai
emit. and it seemed a little deeper,
richer and more colorful than when
she sang at Augustana gymnasium
On either previous occasions - in
1917 and two seasons ago. The de-
yelopment was wonderful - but
opera has not spoiled it for concert
work
Depth and tenderness were dis
played in the opening numbers of
the program, which upon an
nouncement seemed unusually
heavy but when worked out by
Gallt-Curci proved most facile. She
sang "L'Amour de Moi" n French
selection of the 18th century, and
an old Italian number, quaint as
the memories of the singer herself
when she appeared in the old-fash-
Toned costumes during the first
years of her ccesses-"Quel Rus
eelietto." Both were effortless-
sung in the medium register. but
with a warmth of understanding
and resonance of tone. In the last
number the singer did reach one
of the high notes for which the
audience waited. 1t seemed to
come from some place in the head
and was delicate and pure and per-
feet.
The first display of coloratura
work for which she is especially
noted, CONNIE Autrefois" Gas in
Former Times'D from ''Pecheurs de
Perles" (Bizet), and the one follow
ing. 10, Hear the Gentle Lark"
(Bishop) which she sang on both
previous appearances, was sung
with flute accompaniment. The
fiutist was Manuel Berenguer.
whose work was exceptional as in
deed il must be to be in accord
with the singer. The first number
called for an encore and CALI
Curci sang Pirate" tHuerper).
ing.
Spanish Selections.
A group of four selections. Gre
puscule" (''Twilight'D (MasseneD,
"Claveletios" C"Carantions'o by
Valverde was sung in Spanish, one
of the six languages the soprano
speaks fiuently, "Chanson Indoue"
c'Song OF India') (Rimsky-korsa-
koffl. and 'Sempre Libert" ("I'll
Fulfill the Round of Pleasure"l
from Verdi's "Traviata" thrilled the
hearers. The first two were SIM
ply rendered, and the Song OF In
dia." veritable chant, was a new
work for the singer, lively and
full of limpid song which seemed
to burst from the throat of the
singer. The encore was Strick-
lands ''LiEdy Lou
The program was broken by two
numbers. Romance" (Gaubertl
and Autumn Leaves Awhirl"
lSamuelsl by Mr.. Berenguer. The
composer was recognized by the
company.
Gaily. brilliantly did Galli-Curci
sing her husbands "Pierrot' and |
shared honors with him at the con-
clusion of the number She next /
sang a song. Farewell" (Russellt |
and The Little Damozel'' Novel |
lol. Then came the three old songs |
which completely won her audi |
euce The concert closed with