HARDY WILLIAMSON (Tenor)
ARNOLD TROWELL (Violoncello) THE WIRELESS MILITARY BAND
Conducted by B. WALTON O'DONNELL
MANCINELLI had the unexpected good fortune to be promoted from the ranks of music to take a position of command, and the ability to profit by his good fortune. He was principal violoncellist in one of the Rome theatres when, in 1874, it was suddenly left without a conductor. He was asked to fill the vacant place, and conducted Verdi's Aida with such success that his position was immediately assured. For the rest of his busy life-he died in 1921-he was occupied as conductor and composer, and for a time the London musical world knew him well. He came here in 1886 and conducted performances of the classics and of some of his own music. In the following years he appeared frequently at Covent Garden as conductor, and more than once had music of his own performed at the Norwich Festival. Madrid and New York also welcomed him as operatic conductor, and his own music has been given in most of the principal centres in Europe.
The Overture to Cleopatra was written for a production of a play of that name by Cossa, Mancinelli providing also incidental music. The Overture opens with a solemn and very simple chant, beginning in two parts on the strings, and gathering strength and volume with more elaborate accompaniment gradually added. There is another melody, a little later, in which woodwinds and strings both share, and then the simplicity of the opening chant is heard again, but now with full accompaniment, and the Overture closes with hurrying speed and big emphasis.