MADAME AMY SHERWIN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6123, 9 March 1898, Page 2

MADAME AMY SHERWIN.

SECOND CONCERT. The Choral Hall was fairly well filled last night when Madame Amy Sherwin gave her second concert. Madame Sherwin's first contribution was Gounod's " 0 Divine Redeemer," a sacred song published after the death of the eminent composed Portions of : the composition are suggestive of Gounod in his happiest vein, while other parts are, perhaps, not so Concerning the; manner in which Madanrt) bher'wftr sang the number there can. be. lint one opinion, and that is a most favourable' 6ne. L > Reverential sim*' 1 plicitV. and ■ intense dramatic force, were

artistically combined, and even a somewhat ponderous organ, accompaniment failed to mar the effect of the song. It was naturally encored, and the sing9r repeated the last verse. In response to a recall for Co wen's "The Swallows," Madame Sherwin sang "Ben Bolt" most delightfully ; but it was in " Lo, Here the Gentle Lark" that her principal success was achieved. The florid passages of Sir Henry Bishop's well-known song were sung with an ease and' grace only attained by vocalists of the highest rank, and the effect was materially enhanced 'by the manner in which Mr H. Stoneham played the flute obligato. As an encore Madame ! Sherwin sang " 'Twas Within a Mile of Edinboro' Toun" with all the brightness and verve for which she is so conspicuous. Miss Grindlay sang Cowen's " The Better Land," Somerset's . " A Song of Sleep," and "Jock o' Hazeldean/' for the firstnamed of which she was recalled ; and Mr Arthur Deane gave " Dio Possente," from Faust, "Once," by Hervey," and "Off to Philadelphia." In the first he was obviously flat, but in the other two items his voics was true; and he was especially good in " Off to Philadelphia," for which he substituted the old English ballad, " Sigh no More, Ladies" ; while in response to an encore for " Once," lie gave " What Might Have Been." Mr Alberto Zelman's violin playing improves on acquaintance. It is remarkably free from any suspicion of trickery, and it possesses a wealth of sympathy. Both , Mr Zelman's selections were charmingly piayed,,and. were encored. Mr*' Szczepanowski •■■ played as piano soli, " Papillion," by Greig, and Chopin's valse in D flat. His methods are calculated to charm rather on account of their quietness and refinement than their vigour. With Mr Stoneham, Mr Szczepanowski played a sonata for piano and flute by Terschak, and the other concerted items were provided by Miss Grindlay and Mr

Deane, who together sang the duets, " The Shepherd's Eoundelay" and "This is Thy Deed," from Balfe's Bohemian Girl. To-night there, will be another concert. Lady Kauf urly and suite will be present.