MADAME STERLING’S NEW ZEALAND TOUR.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 24, 17 June 1893, Page 553

MADAME STERLING’S NEW ZEALAND TOUR.

The news that Madame Antoinette Sterling is coming to New Zealand will delight all lovers of music in this colony. The famous cantatrice will be assisted by Miss Isabella Webster, a soprano well-known as an interpreter of ballad and operatic music ; Mr James Wood, who gained great success when he appeared recently at the concerts given under the direction of Mr Turner in the Jubilee Exhibition Building, and the favourite basso, Mr H. R. Holder. With commendable foresight the management have secured the services of Miss May Habgood as solo pianiste and accompanist, and it goes without saying that no more popular selection could have been made. Mr T. P. Hudson will take the general direction of the party during the tour, and that well-known representative, Mr L. J. Lohr, will assume the duties of business manager. With such a combination success will certainly be deserved and should accordingly follow. Madame Sterling was born in 1850 at Sterlingville, in the State ot New York, U.S.A., and is descended from one of those families who left England in the historic Mayflower. Early in life she displayed the possession of a voice of remarkably fine quality, with an exceptional range. To this was added the natural musical feeling which led to her attaining the exalted position which she now occupies. She

went to England in 1873, and shortly afterwards proceeded to the Continent for the purpose of studying under the leading masters of the vocal ait, amongst whom may be mentioned Madame Marchesi, Madame Viardot, and Signor Garcia. Her voice is acknowledged to be a pure contralto, remarkably flexible, sympathetic in character, and with an ample compass. While having gained the warmest encomiums from the most competent critics for her rendering of operatic and oratorio music, her special style is perhaps more suited to music of the ballad order, into which she infuses such spirit and feeling as to fairly entrance her audiences. Amongst her most successful songs may be noted ‘ The Better Laud ' and • The Lost Chord,’ the latter having been specially written for her by Sir Arthur Sullivan. Already the music-loving portion of the community is anxiously awaiting the opportunity of hearing the world-famed artiste, and the success of her season here is considered as thoroughly assured.

Mr Lohr, who will have been absent from New Zealand only a few months, will doubtless also receive a warm welcome. Madame Stirling may count herself an exceedingly lucky person in having retained the services of so able and popular an agent. Mr Lohr never brings anything but the best, and is possessed of a personal charm of manner that secures him the hearty co operation of all those with whom his profession brings him in contact.