MUSICAL.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9985, 15 March 1898, Page 5

MUSICAL.

THE SHERWIN CONCERTS.

The concert last night at the Choral Hall was well attended, and the audience was most enthusiastic and also a trifle exacting. Madame Sherwin's first number was the beautiful " Aye Maria," arranged from the intermezzo to " Cavalleria Rusticana." This was most charmingly sung by Madame, who was re-called three times but only bowed her acknowledgments. Ths florid recitative and aria '• Oriante Nature," from " Philemon et Bauois,"'affoi'ded Madame an opportunity, of which she took full advantage, to display her wonderful power of execution in running and trilling passages. These were given with a fidelity and wealth of melody perfectly astonishing. For an encore she gave" OMa Babbie." In the second part Madame repeated' her artistic singing of •' Lo, here the gentle lark," and for an encore she gave " 'Twas within a mile." Miss Kitty Grindlay sang Blumenthal's *' Sunshine and Rain " well, but her second and third numbers did not suit her voice. She was heard to advantage in the two duets with Mr Deane. Mr Deane's voice seemed tired throughout. His first song, " Ever My Queen," was forced and lacking in sweetness. *' The Donovans " brought an encore, and the same compliment was g.id, though undeservedly, to " Off to hiladelphia," which latter was responded to with " Beauty's Eyes," one of the best of Mr Deane's contributions. During the evening. Mr Stoneham played a fantasia for the flute on themes from " Les Cloches " very well indeed, and was also heard to advantage in the obligato to " Lo, here the Gentle Lark." Mr Zelman played in the first part a brindisi by Alard with a good deal of vivacity and spirit. In the second part he gave •• Zapateado," by Sarasate, well, and for an encore Raffs cavatina.

To-night, Madame will sing " Softly Sighs," "I Dreamt that I Dwelt" and "The Last Rose of Summer." This is the last concert but one of the series.