Arizona republican., 1922-01-03
ZAVELL|- WAGNER
CONCERT IS A RARE
MUSICAL OFFERING

The third concert in the course
managed by the Musical Events Sec
tion of the Musicians club scored
heavily in the splendid musical offer
ing of last evening when at the high
school auditorium Miss Grace Wag-
| ner, soprano, and Renato Zanelli,
baritone, with Sol Alberti, pianist,
gave one of the most dignified and
musicianly programs it has been the
pleasure of Phoenicians to enjoy.
| Only rarely does an audience, such as
/ assembled last night, give itself so
completely to an abandonment of en-
thusiasm 1t was clearly evident the
performers felt this responsive mood
and it apparently inspired them to
enter into the spirit of the program
with a delightful ecstacy.
The program was exceedingly well
arranged and called forth most fav-
orable comment. The opportunity to
hear a variety OF grand opera num-
bers so well presented was a joy
without alloy. The nine numbers
planned for presentation were aug
mented by six encores.
Vocally Zanelli was magnificent.
After his first group of Italian,
French and Spanish songs he re-
ceived a marked ovation and added
several cubits to his artistic stature
when he sang for an encore the uni
versal favorite from 0Irmen, the
Toreador's song. His voice, which is
truly an operatic voice, is marked by
an eloquent resonance and by the
fcrcefulness of his conception.
Zanelli seemed to take keen pleas
ure in giving the people of Phoenix
an example of some Of the things
which made him famous, foremost Of
which was the Largo al Factotum"
from The Barber of Seville. The
number was notable for the tremen-
dous dash and achievement of sue
cessfIl striving for dramatic mean
ings and accents, in which every
nuance of phrasing stood out. At the
close of this number the applause
which rang through the auditorium
differed only in degree, because of the
capacity of the house, than the ova-
tion tne singer received at his debut
with the Metropolitan opera company
in New York. And when he came
back smiling after this splendid rem
dition to grant a persistently de-
manded encore, he gave the popular
Spanish folk song, La Espagnole."
At the close of the English group he
added 'Duma," by McGhee.
Miss Wagner's voice is richly deep
and of wide range. She rose to dra-
matte heights in the heavier num-
bers. The musical charm of her per-
formance rested on the sincerity and
intensity she put into her work. Miss
Wagner made her debut in New York
with the American Opera company at
the Park theater in the Jewel song
from Faust. This number she in
cluded in her program last night TO
the delight Of lovers of the opera
Faust" While loyal American,
Miss Wagner does not believe in
sighting the composers of other
countries, but recognizes their great
ness. Just now she is particularly
interested in the modern Russian
school and included several Russian
numbers in her program. OF these
the dashing Poldowsky number was
made a part of her selections for the
first time. This charming song,
"Dansons La Gigue," was admirably
suited to Miss Wagner's voice and
was pronounced by many to have
been the best of her presentations,
chiefly because of the musical zest
she put into the spirit of the song.
Miss Wagner's first encore was
Song OF the. Open,' by LaF'orge.
After her English group she sang
"Pierrot," by Rybner.
Among the charming numbers Of
the program were the duets presented
by Miss Wagner and Mr.. Zanelli. as
opening and closing numbers. Their
voices blended harmoniously, particu-
larly in the closing duet from 'Er-
mani"
Mr. Alberti as accompanist and
soloist deserves great praise. His ac-
complishments were admirable. His
solos were polished and both delicate
and virile.
The program presented last night
was as follows:
duet from Don Giovanni" ..
Miss Wagner and Mr.. Zanelli
2-a-Minuet de Martini. /. Weckerlin
b-Bocca Dolorosa ...... Sibella
c-Dansons La Clique. Poldowski
Miss Wagner