MISS AMY SHERWIN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 36, 6 September 1890, Page 3

MISS AMY SHERWIN.

K readers will have noticed in the cablegrams E uro P e mention of Miss Amy Sherwin having sung before the Princess of’ Wales on Ju *- v 7t '* : a ' s< ’ tl,at towards the end of July she had achieved a great success at the Savoy Theatre in the character of <linetta in ‘ The af® Gondoliers.’ The London Daila Post, towards the end of July, remarks : —‘ Miss Amy Sherwin—“ the Australian linnet”- has just arrived for the season at her Hat in 7, Hyde Park mansions. Since last leaving London she has professionally visited China, Japan, Java, India, and all the Australias. Febrine, aguish, tonid, and mixed climates have not adversely touched her symmetry, bright features, and flexible, Hute-like voice. She still declines all operatic oilers, and is determined to linger, so to speak, in the shady walks of oratorio and on the velvet turf of concerts. Upon the day of her arrival on English soil she received a cable from Boston, U.S.A.—where she is a great favourite, and where her husband once resided as a musical critic informing her of the dedication there of a new musical school and hall named “ The Sherwin.’” It was in October, 1878, that Miss Sherwin made her first appearance before the public of New Zealand in conjunction with other artistes, whose names have not penetrated beyond the circle of the colonies. This tour in that company had been taken by Miss Sherwin at the conclusion of a season at the Italian < Ipera in Melbourne, whither she had gone from Hobart Town, Tasmania, which is the home of her origin, and where she received her early training under the tutelageof Mr F. A. Packer. Though young, unknown, and little heralded by fame, she speedily won her way into the hearts of all the New Zealanders who heard her, not

merely by the extraordinary range and quality of her voice, but also by the naivete and charm of her manner. From that time for ten years New Zealand saw no more of Miss Sherwin until two years ago, in April, 1888, when she re appeared, bringing with her all the weight which greater maturity' of person ami hard study and all the impressiveness a good European artistic reputation can give. In the interval of her absence Miss Sherwin had travelled much, and won her laurels in the best musical society of the world. On first leaving the Australian colonies she proceeded to the United States, where in New York she studied under Signor Errani. There she created the character of Mar guerite in the oratorio of ‘The Damnation of Faust,’ by Berlioz, ami was engaged for the Cincinnati Festival con certs. For two seasons, in Baltimme, Boston and Chicago, she sang in concert ami oratorio, only too successfully ingratiating herself with the audiences she delighted. From thence Miss Sherwin betook herself to Fiankfort.in Germany, where she studied singing with the celebrated teacher Stochkausen. Paris next attracted her attention for the purpose of enjoying the instruction of the noted operatic master llustaolro ; while she ended her two years’ residence on the Continent of Europe at Milan, at which place Filippi and Ronconi put the finishing touches to her long ami arduous course of vocal preparation. The result of this was her engagement in England at the very highest class of musical pelformauees, at the W'orcestei Festival, at St. James’ Hall under Richter: at the Crystal Palace, under Manns, and for three seasons nt the Promenade concerts, Covent Garden. Leaving England in March, 1888. Miss Sherwin started on a two years’ tour abroad, during which she again visited the Australasian colonies, exciting the pride anil delight of all who had carefully watched her prognosticated successes. Now we find her once more in England, where she is not only receiving attentions of the highest social significance, but also the more solid expressions of artistic appreciation from our kinsmen on the opposite side of the Atlantic.