Luigi Infantine

Of all overseas artists who have visited Wellington during the last few years, the Italian tenor Luigi Infantino must be one of the most popular. He has an enviable personality and combines this with a rich, powerful tenor voice of a calibre not often heard in New Zealand.

Despite the southerly storm sweeping the city a large number of people turned out to hear the visitor. The programme seemed designed on the second night to test all the resources of the tenor's voice. Luigi Infantino, however tackled all with confidence and with astonishing ease, showing no signs of strain even in the most tricky or exacting passages. Two arias were particular examples of his tremendous ability. These were, first. "Questa O Quella" from Verdi's "Rigoletto" and, second, "Nessum Dorma" from Puccini s "Turandot." The firmer, as well as being one of the most popular of all tenor arias, Is probably one of the most difficult. In the second, however, Infantino reached a new pinnacle. "Turandot" has a reputation for being one of Puccini's most testing operas from the singer's point of view and "Nessum Dorma," with its very high tessitura, must be one of the most fearful arias for any voice.

Luigi Infantino has a good deal of genuine emotion in his singing and this became very evident in the Neapolitan songs which made up the last part of the programme. Infantino's own composition, "Spose D'Italia," was particularly Impressive and demonstrated his ability not only to sing but also to write his songs. "Santa Lucia" lost its usual rather sickening odour in a new and interesting performance by the tenor.

Angelo Campori, who accompanied Luigi Infantino. accomplished his task with a good deal of sympathy and understanding both of the music and no doubt of the tenor's habits. As a solo pianist he showed genuine feeling and ability in two short works. These were a very lively Scherzo by Chopin (No. 3, Op. 39) and a more subdued Brahms Rhapsodie (No. 2, Op. 79).

Enthusiastic applause was rewarded by four encores. Of these the highlight was a performance of "O Sole Mio" in true Neapolitan style.

—D.M.E.