The New York herald., 1922-10-23
Werrenrath and
Nine. GaIi-Curci
in Song Recitals
Carnegie Hall and Hippodrome
Filled With Their Musical
Admirers.
BY WILLIAM J. HENDERSON.

Reinald Werrenrath, the popular barry
tone, gave his first recital OF the pres
ent season in Carnegie Hall yesterday
afternoon. He was to have given one
just before the end OF the previous sea-
son last spring. but was prevented by
Illness from doing so. He returned to
the local platform with a program ar
ranged in a manner not governed by
the conventions. There was no opening
group OF old italian airs, but one OF
German lyrics by Franz. Hugo Wolff
and Brahms.
The second group was made of four
Danish songs, sung, of course. with the
original text. Mr. Werrenrath is an
American of Scandinavian descent, and
has 70 difficulties with the languages
OF the Swedes and Danes Frederic
Keel contributed three settings of texts
by John Masefield. and there were some
OF Mr. werrenrath's old favorites. such
as "In the Foggy Dew" and 1.-THE
Wreck OF the Julie Plante."
IL is always good to hear this dis
tinguished artist sing-sometimes it is
better. Yesterday was one OF the better
times. He was not. as the unscientific
phrase has it. "in good voice" To be
In good voice may mean many things
and TO be out of il likewise Mr.. wer-
renrath's voice yesterday was hoarse
and suffered from construction in many
of its tones. Doubtless the affection of
the excellent vocal organ escaped the
notice Of many hearers. for the art of
the singer made it possible for him to
achieve beauty OF delivery in passages
which might easily have given a less
skillful singer serious trouble IL out of
voice.
1t was beyond even Mr.. werrenrath's
powers. however, to impart sufficient
warmth to such songs as won ewige
I.iebe." His voice is not one of tropical
tin at any time. and he accomplishes
his artistic ends by the exquisite finish
of his nuancing and his vivid treatment
OF text. These did not desert him yes
terday. but the Increased GOODNESS of his
tones initiated strongly against his ef-
forts at lyric eloquence. For those who
could discern the fine quality of the
singers art the recital was certainly
enjoyable. And there were moments, as
in the thire OF the Danish songs. when
the barytone's aroused feelings lifted
him considerably above the emotional
level on which most of his entertain
ment moved. Harry Spier played good
Nine. Amelta Galli-Curci, the ever
popular prima donna, made her reap
pearance before local audience at ths
Hippodrome last evening in one of her
Characteristic song recitals. She had
the customary assistance of Homer
Samuels. her husband, at the piano and
Manuel Berenguer at the flute. Her
pre- gram was planned on familiar lines.
IL included the once celebrated aria
Robert toi que Jaime" from Meyer
beers Robert 10 Diable" and the scene
OF Opheltd's insanity from Ambroise
Thomas's Hamlet" There we're also
songs by composers ranging in style all
the way from the newly risen Donaudy
TO the departed Tom Dobson.
Nine. Galli-Curci had not changed the
nature of her singing any more than
that OF her program. She delivered one
number after. another in her sustained
manner. with dulcet tones. with elegant
phrasing, with gentleness of spirit end
clear transparency OF tint. There are
no great flights of imagination or pas
sion In Nine. Galli-Curcis song recitals.
She Is less animated. less communica-
tive than she is on the stage. She is
essentially an opera singer but IL is
always pleasure TO listen to her beau
tiful voice delivered with such perfect
freedom and such fawless suavity. Her
audience was large and cordial.