Evening star., 1947-03-03

Metropolitan Opera, Is one Of these
artists whose fecitals give unquau-
fed pleasure to her listeners. Appear
ring In Constitution Hall yesterday
| afternoon. the attractive Brazilian
radiated personal and vocal charm
throughout her program. She has
a grace of manner that few singers
can equal and her performance is
consistently eloquent In feeling and
polished in delivery. If she concen-
trated more in this seasons recital
on songs that did not display the
brilliant powers Of her voice to their
| full extent, there was the rewarding
moment when, after the "Ballatella"
from Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci," she
sang the "Un bel di" from Puccini's
'Madama Butterfly" and the Ca
Vote" from Massenet's "Manon."
The programs weight lay at its be-
ginning and end. Between were
French songs of which the loyeliest
was Berlioz' "L'Absence," and four
songs in English, "Elegy" and "A
Piper" by John Duke, both in man.
uscript, Gold Blows the Wind" an
English folk song arranged by Mime.
Sayao's accompanist, Milne Charm
ley. and "The Last Rose of Summer
from Flotowis Martha" To the
French group. Nine. Sayao added the
gem-like lie Nelumbo" by Moret,
which she sings exquisitely, and the
gay, childish "I Found out Today" by
Leonard Bernstein to the English
numbers.
From nature, Nine. Sayao's voice Is
of appealing timbre which she ex-
ploits to its fullest by rare artistry.
Not only is the placement of her
tones all that 1t should be but her
excellent diction is so employed as
to assist materially in coloring and
projection. Furthermore, she. has
an extraordinary emotional grasp
that Is of the utmost subtlety. There
are few singers who can give the
two arias, ''Voi che sapete" and mon
so piu" from Mozart's lie Nozze di
Figaro" with so much delicacy and
refinement of style or sing so NOV
ingly the Rose Cherie" from Gre
try's "Zemire ct Azor." Another
gem, la Farfalletta" by the 18th
century composer, Cesti, separated
the two arias of the classic period.
This bright number of patter type
text, like Debussyis Les Chevaux
de Bois" and Dukes "A Piper" was
given with the sparkle combined in
Nine. Sayao's temperament, fluent
enunciation and verve.
The concluding group consisted
of five folk songs of Brazil ar
ranged by Ernani Braga. Varied
in character and consisting Of a
spiritual, work song, a lullaby, a |
children's street song and q work
they are priceless additions not only
to the known literature of this kind
from Brazil but to the concert rep
ertoire also. The scope of Nine.
Sayao's artistry is so great that in
these, as well as in the more So
phisticated writing of moderns or
the broader demands of opera,
there was always the intuitivel TN |
derstanding, the refinement Of style |
and the eloquence of expression.
Mr.. Charnley gave another ex-
ample of his skill in providing a |
sympathetic background for the
singer with his Accomplishments.
The recital had different setting
from the customary as q black vel
vet curtain was drawn across the
back of the stage with palms banked
rat each side, the green OF which
blended with the artists costume
of the same color The back-drop
had been set up for the evenings
broadcast by Helen Hayes and 1t
was unfortunate that it had to be
put in place so early for the velvet
absorbed some Of the brilliancy both
of the voice and the piano. In
spite Of that, there was not q mo-
ment of the program that was not
thoroughly enjoyed by the audience
which remained almost intact for
the encores at the end.
Gordon String Quartet Plays.
The American Music Festival,
which for the fourth time will oc-
cupy the Sunday evening programs
during the month of March in the
National Gallery, was begun last
night with a concert by the Gordon
String Quartet. The festival is
under the direction of Richard
Bales who is gradually building it
up to be one of the most important |
occasions in the country for the
hearing of American music In its
latest developments.
Presented for the first time In
public were Normand Lockwood's |
Quartet No. 6" and John Varralps |
Quartet No. l." The concluding !
number was Randall Thompson's |