MADAME AMY SHERWIN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6122, 8 March 1898, Page 1

MADAME AMY SHERWIN.

Ten years have passed since Madame Amy Sherwin sang in Christchurch. In the interval Madame Sherwin has achieved a European, and, perhaps, what in the present day is of more importance to a musical artist^ a London reputation. That her voice, as well as her method of using it, has improved, goes without saying. She herself is more robust in appearance, and this makes itself apparent in her vocal organs. At the same time the freshness and brilliancy 'which formerly characterised her voice remain, and as, in addition, she retains her charming- personality it is not {surprising that her powers of attraction are greater than ever. By far her finest effort last night was "Ombra mai fu," from Handel's Xerxes. Nature has ordained that her voice shall be of *a delicate character,, and her complete success in music requiring much sustained effort ia all the more remarkable. The audience, which, considering the counter attraction provided at the Theatre, was large, recognised this, and their welcome to the singer when she appeared increased into something approaching' an enthusiastic demonstration on the conclusion of the number. At first the singer responded by bowing, -but the audience were not satisfied until she returned again and sang Lassen's "All Soul's Day." In " Little Bird So Sweetly Singing," Madame Sherwin showed very ciearly that the facility of execution which marked her singing ten years ago is as pronounced as ever, and her encore number, Wakefield's " Ho, Sir," was sung with all the humour and daring which characterised it on her last visit. Gpunod's famous ".Quand tv Chantes," lost a little of its effectiveness by being sung in English, but this did not'really interfere with the graceful ease with which it was sung, and as in "Ombra mai fu," the effect was materially enhanced by the violin obligato played by Mr Alberto Zejman. An encore was, of course, inevitable, and Madame Sherwin responded with " Home, Sweet Home," sang with a purity and simplicity which, although absolutely essential, are exceedingly rare. With Miss Kitty Grindlay and Mr Arthur Deane the soprano took part in the trio, "I'm Not the Queen," from Balfe's Rose of Custille, and performed her share of the number in a, manner which indicates that not her least claim to distinction is her dramatic .instinct. Miss Kitty Grindlay, who visited Christchurch some years ago as a member of the Newbury-Spada Company, sang Cowen's " The Promise of Life " most intelligently. Her voice has improved, while her enunciation is remarkably clear, and her style generally is as prepossessing as ever. Later, her rendering of "The Land o' the Leal " earned her a really welldeserved encore, to which she replied by singing "Whustle and I'll Come Tae Ye." Mr Arthur Deane possesses a powerful baritone voice of a resonant quality. His methods are Btrongly suggestive of Mr Santley, under whom he has studied, and if occasionally he is inclined to force his voice the result seldom jars, and nearly always pleases. His singing of Pinsuti's "The King's Minstrel" was so vigorous that the. song was redemanded, but instead Mr Deane gave Sterndale Bennett's "Maiden Mine" in a manner which gave abundant evidence of his ability in that most difficult of all branches of his art, legato singing. Nor was his rendering of Stephen Adams's "The Pilgrim" less enjoyable, while Messager's "Long Ago in "Alcala " was sung with so. much humour that the audience were not satisfied until he returned and gave "The Donovans," an 1 amusing Irish song. In the various con--1 certed items, the duets, "The Sailor • Sighs" and "The Golden Goose," in which he took part with Miss Grindlay, and the trio from the Rose of Castille, ■ Mr Deane showed that he possesses con- ' siderable dramatic ability, and altogether \ his first appearance in Christchurch was • decidedly successful. Mr Herbert Stone- | ham, the flautist of the company, is able ' to make his instrument interesting, and ' the tore which he produces is pure and J full. Mr Alberto Zelman. ia a violinist of \ the lighter school, and although he relies ' principally on expression, he occasionally ■ displays considerable mastery of execution. | Both ilia selections were redemanded. Mr '' Szezepanowski, the pianist, has that rare > quality of being able to subserve himself ; entirely to his principals. Apparently he J is a pianist of some ability, and this he will J doubtless prove later on in the season. There will be another concert to-night, when Madame Sherwin will sing "0 1 Divine Redeemer" (Gounod), "Lo, Here 3 the Gentle Lark" (Bishop), "Swallows" 1 (Cowen), and " 'Twas within a Mile of 1 Edinboro' Town." 1 — r=rrr— — — — • •