G. LENGHI CELLlNI (Tenor)
THORPE BATES (Baritone)
The Wireless Orchestra (Leader, S. KNEALE KELLEY)
Conducted by JOHN ANSELL
ORCHESTRA
Heroic March
Saint-Saens
Solemn Overture
Glazounor
THE Heroic March was the Composer's tribute to a friend, the painter Henri Regnault, who was killed in the Siege of Paris in 1871. It suggests the indomitable spirit and energy of brave men whose pride and courage sustain them in defeat.
THIS, one of the most sanguinary of all Operas (for all the chief characters are killed off), was commissioned for the Imperial Theatre at St. Petersburg and produced in 1882. Alvaro, the hero, has accidentally killed the father of his sweetheart. Carlo, the maiden's brother, seeks vengeance, and, finding Alvaro in a monastery, so taunts him that he eventually agrees to fight a duel.
March of the Giants
Flower Fairies
Dance of the Gnomes
Moonbeam Fairies
Dance of the Witches
OTHELLO is the wonderful work of the seventy-three years' old Verdi. In this powerful Scene, Iago sings his famous 'Creed' - 'I believe in a cruel God.' He blames his Creator for his admitted wickedness, and declares that he fears nothing, for death ends all, and Heaven is an ancient lie.
THE Norwegian Composer-Conductor, Violinist, Johann Svendsen, who died a few years before the War, wrote several large-scale compositions, including two Symphonies. He is less of a ' 'nationalist' Composer than his contemporary, Grieg. In such pieces as the Norwegian Artists' Carnival, however, the spirit of his native country is happily present. This, and the four Norwegian Rhapsodies by which he is well known, belong to his earlier years of residence in Christiania. He was Conductor of its Musical Association when he was in the mid-thirties. This was a time of small things for him. He had spent some years wandering over Europe, picking up a living in various musical occupations, and was glad to settle down at home (though he not infrequently undertook tours abroad during the rest of his life).