MUSICAL.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10044, 24 May 1898, Page 5

MUSICAL.

MADAME AMY SHERWIN'S FAREWELL. There was a bumper house at the Opera House last night, to welcome the return of Madame Amy Sherwin and her company. That Madame Sherwm has deservedly made herself a favourite, and that the lovers of music have realised that it will be long ere they get such a treat again, was amply proved by the enthusiasm which pervaded the large audience last night. Madame sang for her first number the very exaoting Polacca from "Mignon." This was given with great purity of aj>yle and facility of execution, and for an encore the artiste gave what, in its simplicity and quaintness was quite a foil, viz., "Oh ma Babbie." Her second number was two songs of Schubert bracketed, which* were sung with all the delicacy of style which is so characteristic of the compositions. In the second part Madamo sang "The Lost Chord" excellently, and responded to an encore with '"Twas within a mile." Her last item was Allen's florid song, " Little bird so sweetly singing," and in response to an enthusiastic recall, she gave what was really the gem of the evening, "Kathleen Mavourneen." This was sung with a most artistic change of style for the different verses, which brought out fully the dramatic and pathetic features of the song. Miss Kitty Grindlay, who was in excellent voice, sang her different items most successfully. Her best effort, were "II Segreto," which was admirably given ; a new song " The Guiding Light," and "Come Lads and Lasses."' Mr Zelman played the andante and finale from Mendelssohn's concerto in E minor most artistically, and for an encore gave a pretty canzonetta by Godard. The other number which deserves special notice was Sarasate's " Zapateado," which he played with great tire and success. Mr Stoneham played a couple of flute solos well, and was also heard to advantage in the obbligato to "Little bird so sweetly singing/ To-night will be the last concert, and numbers will be " Elizaboth's greeting to the hall of song," " Lo, here the gentle lark," "The Holy City," "ThoStar Spangled Bannor," "God Save the Queen," and " The Old Folks at Home."