"The splendid concert given by the Municipal Orchestra, in ce-operation with Miss Tamara Chumakova and Mr. Leo Itkis, in aid of the Committee ce-ordinating work of Evacuating Refugees should have filled the Nanking Theatre to capacity yesterday afternoon. Nevertheless, the audience, who filled two-thirds of ihe seats expressed its appreciation in no uncertain terms as item succeeded item until the grand finale of the re-arranged programme was reached in the superb rendering of Rachmahinoffs Rapsodie (28 Variations upon a theme by Paganini) by the Orchestra and Mr. Itkis. It was, perhaps, the most outstanding number by virtue of the exquisite and flawless playing of this artist of rare calibre and the sympathetic accompaniment of the Orchestra.
Although the first half of the programme was rather melancholy in tone, starting with "Tschaikowsky's Overture-Fantasy from "Romeo and Juliet," followed by Ravel's "Pavane pour une Infante Defunte." Rossi Respighi's Tarantella "pure banque" and two excerpts from opera, the exceptionally fine performance of the Orchestra compensated for it. The perfect ce-ordination between Orchestra and leader was best exemplified in Rimsky-Korsakoffs beautiful and spirited "Capriccio Espagnol" which preceded the interval. Miss Tamara Chumakova, whose lovely and expressive soprano added fresh beauty to the well-known arias "Non la Sopiri la nos tra casetta" and "Vissi d'art" from "La Tosca," contributed not a little to the concert's success.
She possesses an instinctive artistry.
Those responsible for the event are to be congratulated on providing a rare musical trea, all the more to be appreciated these tragic days, at the same time helping a worthy
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.