MISS AMY SHERWIN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1893, 2 March 1888, Page 28

MISS AMY SHERWIN.

The presentment of Miss Amy Sherwin whid'i appears at the head of this article, Is a transfer from a photograph taken in America, and is consequently a true representation of her features.

It will be remembered by those who heard Miss Sherwin — who, by Che way, is a native of Tasmania—in Dunediu at the oiftset of her career in December 1878, that a great future was ptsdioted for her as a singer. A slight sketch of her career sinGo then will be of interest to our readers. She started at the conclusion of her New Zealand season for America in February 1879, and entered upon a brilliant career, one unprecedented in the musical history of Australasia. Choosing America for her first field, she appeared in New York shortly after her arrival there, and at once was recognised by the leading musicians of New York as an artist of great merit, taking part as leading soprano in the moat important concerts during the season 1880 and 1881. She scored an instantaneous success in the oratorio of " Elijah," following immediately afterwards with auother musical triumph in the " Damnation of Faust." The most prominent musical papers, not. satisfied with recording her success, predicted a brilliant future for her, and their prophesies have, indeed become true. Amy Sherwin studied in New York City with Signor Errani. Mme. Kappiani, and Dr Damrosch, andafc the conclusion of her season went to Europe in order to have still better opportunities for developing her talents and finishing her musical education. Horr Stockhausen, ot Frankfurt-on-the-Main, was her master* for oratorio aDd German opera ; Mons. Hustache, of Pads, for opera and deportment ; and Mme. Filippi, of Milan, the wife of the famous critic of "La Scala," gave Amy Sherwiu her finishing lessons. After singing a short season witli the Carl Rosa Opera Company in 1883, Amy Sherwin returned to America, under special engagement to sing at the Worcester Festival, where she met with such an emphatic reception and success that she decided to remain during that season, at the end of which a flattering offer from London induced her to return to that city, where she immediately entered upon a remarkable engagement at Coveut Garden. For three years she sang at this theatre, four, five, and sometimes six times a week, with ever-increasing success ; her first appearance last season being not only the occasion of a noted ovation, but also tho means of drawing the largest house. Fully 8000 people met to greet their favourite — it was a scene never to be forgotten— one which had rarely been equalled within those walls. People threw up their handkerchiefs and hatß in their efforts to welcome her, and when Amy Sherwiu had concluded her song, the ovation was repeated. During her sojourn in London, public and social honours -were bestowed upon Amy Sherwin. She has had the repeated good fortune to win fi.vours from H.R.H.the Princess of Wales. At a notable musical event, at which she was the leading soprano, H.S.H. the Duke of Saxe-Coburg requested the German Ambassador, Count yon Munster, to present the Australian singer, and expressed his greatest delight at her wonderful singing. At a recent Guild dinner, Sir James Hogg. Sir William Jones, and other titled personages desired to be presented to Amy Sherwin, in order to show their appreciation for the pleasure given to them with her beautiful voice and wonderful execution. On learning that Amy Sherwin was an Australian, they declared it doubly interesting, and presenting a beautiful basket of flowers, Sir James told her to be sure and tell the Australian people what they thought of her in the old country, and expressed a hope she would keep if only one leaf of the flowers as a memento. Besides her noted Covent Garden engagement, Amy Sherwin identified herself with the popular concerts at Her Majesty's Theatre, and took a prominent part in the famous Richter, Crystal Palace, Sim Reeves and Joachim concerts. Amongst her numerous provincial engagements, her two annual tours with the Crystal Palace Orchestra through Scotland are the most noteworthy, while in all other engagements she has been equally successful. Her lastseason comprised concerts at Eastbourne, Nelson, Southport, Grewe, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Greenock, Manchester, and other large cities. Her greatest desire during these years of study and artistic triumphs was to revisit her native country— thesceneof her firstsuccess— andhercraving for her home becoming stronger and stronger every day, she decided to start at the conclusion of her last London season and devote a short season to appearing in the Australian colonies. Her success in the colonies was instantaneous. Not only ha 3 she been the recipient of flattering press comments, but she was honoured with the hearty support of the public, whose enthusiasm knew no bounds in greeting their old favourite. Public receptions were the order of the day. That her season in Dunedin will be a success goes without saving, and the public no doubt will follow the evample set by the other colonies, and accord Miss Sherwin the welcome to which her high position as a great singer justly entitles her. She is known as the " Australian Nightingale " amongst the musical people of Europe and Ambrica, and her appearance here will no doubt lead to her making an impression equally lasting.