Evening star., 1936-05-29
First Latin
Concert Is
Given Here
Gustavo CarrascO,
Cuban Tenor, Solo
list of Evening.
BY ALICE EVERSMAN.

IN SPITE of the chilly weather OF
last evening the first program of
Latin American music to be given
i in the Esplanade of the Pan
American Union took place as sched-
uled. Although many of the audience
wandered indoors after few num-
bers the majority stayed IN the ar
tistic setting of the Aztec Gardens
until the end of the program. The
Navy Band, under the direction Of
Lieut.. Charles Benter, played the
orchestral selections and the soloist
of the evening was the Cuban tenor,
Gustavo Carrasco
A part Of last evenings program
served as a centennial observance of
the birth Of the celebrated Brazilian
composer, Carlos Gomez, and Sc
elections from two of the operas
which contributed to his fame were
featured. The Navy Band gave an
arrangement by George Drumm of
the grand scenes from La Fosca"
while Senor Carrasco sang the aria
''Forma Sublime" from the opera
Salvador Rosa" with the band ac-
companying. The excerpts, that from
La Fosca" being given a first rem
dition here, disclosed the purity of
the composers melodic concept and
his fine talent for dramatic develop
ment. The thread of true musical
vigor runs unabatedly through his
works and the glow of inspirational
warmth adds color and vividneSs to
the whole.
Mr.. Carrasco's voice, which is suited
for both lyric and dramatic interpre-
tation was unusually expressive in the
aria. For his other numbers he had
chosen several of exceptional musical
value including "Juventud" by the Gu
"Cantique," sung in French, by Carlos
Maduro of Venezuela and "Lamento
Esclavo" by Eliseo Grenet, also OF
Cuba. Herman Rodrigo's "Anhelos'
and "Lamento Gitano" by Maria
-Grever concluded his offerings.
The charm of Mr.. Carrascos sing
ing lies in the rich expressiveness OF
his vocal tone which is capable of the
greatest variety, always used with re-
fnement and taste. While his art
takes cognizance of technical nuances
1t springs still more from warm
musical sensitiveness and as such Is
eminently satisfying and rewarding
to the listener. He is a singer capable
of operate distinction for he has all
the necessary attributes to bring him
recognition in this field. George H
Wilson at the piano supported the
artist with sympathetic understand
ing.
Other soloists on the program all
members of the Navy Band were
Musician Oscar Short who gave an
artistic Interpretation of the cornet
solo "El indiana" by Maiquez Of Ar
gentina, Musician C. Edwards, from
bonist, master of his instrument, In
Paredes' "Recuerdos del Chimborazo
and william Cameron, Henry Rabin
Louis Goucher and Salvatore Perrone
in the delightful Eel Choclo'' by VII.
loldo, a quartet for harp, vibraphone
and two xylophones.
Many compositions by Latin Ameri-
can composers are given first rem.
dition in this country at these con-
certs and among those heard last eve
ming were Carlos Monroy's (Colombia)
Paso Doble "Metropolitanos," the
Inca Step No. I, "Calcuchina" by
Carlos Valderrama OF Peru, the Co.
lombian composer. Pino's Fantasia
Sobre Motives Colombianos" and the
"Potpourri de Habaneras, La Juven-
tud'." Lieut.. Benter led his men In
splendid performance of the entire
program finishing with a noble rem
dition Of the Star Spangled Banner. "