ENGLISH OPERA FOR MELBOURNE.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 100, 28 April 1888, Page 5 (Supplement)

ENGLISH OPERA FOR MELBOURNE.

ARRIVAL OS1 AMERICAN VOCALISTS.

Engagement of Two Auckland

Musicians.

The mail steamer Mariposa, which arrived in harbour this morning, brings, amongst other through passengers,. a number of operatic artists under engagement to* Miss Amy Sherwin for a subscription season of English opera at the Melbourne Opera House, opening on the 12th prox., and extending over twelve Aveeks. The new arrivals consist of Miss Marie Hester, contralto ; Mrs Arthur Hubbard ; Mr Alfred Wilkie, tenor; Mr Avon D. Saxon, principal baritone; and Mr Arthur J. Hubbard, principal bass. Miss Sherwin herself will be prima donna assoluta. A recent number of the Melbourne "Age" gives the following further particulars concerning this operatic venture:—"Three new operas, to be heard for the first time in Australia, are to be produced, these being Wagner's Flying Dutchman, Mr F. Goring Thomas's Esmeralda, and M. Massenet's Manon Lescant. The other grand operas to be given in English guise are Faust, Martha, the Bohemian Girl, Maritana, Huguenots, Daughter of the Regiment, La Sonnambula, and Lucia di Lammermoor. The orchestra, consisting

of 30 instrumentalists, including Mrs Lupton, the celebrated harpist, will be conducted by Herr Benno Scherek, who made his debut in Mecklenberg-Schwerin when only 17 years of age, and who has already paid a visit to this colony as conductor of Mme. Urso's concerts. The scenery, entirely new and original, will be the work of Mr Harry Grist. The general line of the performances will be that of those given by the famous Carl Rosa Company in England. The terms of subscription are £12 10s. for 50 transferable dress circle tickets, or £8 10s. for tho same number of orchestra stalls." In connection with the same enterprise Miss Sherwin has just engaged two Auckland musicians to accompany her to Australia, viz., Mr George H. Clutsam as pianist, and Mr Bush for the chorus. Both will be parted from with regret, but more especially Mr Clutsam, who has prominently identified himself with music during his sojourn in Auckland, and who both as a performer on the pianoforte and as a composer of short pieces of music has won golden opinions. For his pianoforte playing, Miss Sherwin justly entertains the highest regard. She considers him the best accompanist that she has yet met with throughout these colonies, and she certainly has enjo3-ed ample facilities for form ng & judgment. Of his merits for constrnctivo musical work the public havebeen having • try recent proof. The other night Vi t/eminone played with considerable tii j a charming little ilute solo outitleu "En Miniature" which Mr. Clutsam composed for him, and last night Mr SUxikwell fairly brought down the " house ' with Mr ClufeamVnew song " If Love wore what the Rose is," which was specially composed for the singer. We feel quite sure ihat Mr Clutsam's qualification.-! will win flattering recognition on the other side, and with the certainty that he will naako his way to distinction, we heartily wish him success. Of Mr Bush's abilities as a singer the public will have fre*h opportunity of judging at to-night's concert. He will share also in the good wishes of the community.