GRAND OPERATIC CONCERT.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1498, 4 December 1878, Page 3

GRAND OPERATIC CONCERT.

Miss Amy Siiebwxn.

The concert last night at the Oddfellows’ Hall should mark an event in the musical annals of Christchurch, as being the first appearance of the mos accomplished vocal artiste who has ever sung in this city. At the same time it is a question, if Signor Pompei had rightly learned the moral conveyed by the scant patronage accorded to Madame Tasca, whether in his own interest he would not have acted more wisely in passing Christchurch by and introducing Miss Amy glherwin to a community more generous in their patronage of talent. It is not too much to say that Miss Sherwin is, beyond all doubt, the finest operatic singer who has visited New Zealand, The stereotyped phrases ■usually employed to express the range of a voice such as hers, fail to convey any idea of its extraordinary compass, and its quality is equally unquestionable. It is of exquisite purity, powerful, and highly sympathetic and cultivated to the rarest expression of every phase of feeling. She is as excellent in the rendering of the most plaintive passages as powerful in the expression of dramatic fervor. Added to those recommendations, her technical skill in the execution of intricate passages, the ease and precision of her runs and cadences, and especially her staccato singing, stamp her as a thorough artiste. A brilliant career is before this young lady, and possibly when she has achieved the European success which must await her, should she come to New Zealand again, the patrons of music in Christchurch might consider it the correct fhing to patronise her. The first part of the concert opened with the overture to “ Martha,” Very well played by a quintette, the orchestra consisting of Messrs 11. E. Towle (piano), Herr Bunz (violin), Thompson (bass), H. E. Poore (flute), and T. Tankard (cornet). After this Miss Eva Davenport, who possesses a soprano voice of much sweetness and expression, sung in Italian the well-known and popular cavatina, “Oh, what joy,” the finale to “La Sonmimbulu.” Those who possibly remember this young lady’s first appearance in New Zealand some three years ago would be surprised at the amount of excellence she has acquired as a cautatriee c during Unit brief period. Her success was most pronounced, and she was warmly applauded by the audience. The next number on the programme, the cavatina “ Bilcn>'o no v reigns,” also sung in Italian, horn “ Lucia di Lammormoor,” introduced Miss Amy gherwin, and by the time she had sung » doaea bars it was apparent that a thorough

1 artiste was before the audience, and at the | termination of the scena the applause was most enthusiastic. Signor Pompei next sang the buffo cavatina from Rossini's “La Genarentola,” “Miei Rampolli,” in capital style, his singing and acting both being excellent. Miss Amy Sherwin gave a pretty English song “Waiting,” by Millard, and was honored with an encore, which she responded to by singing with great naivete, the Scotch ballad “Within a Milo o’Edinbro’ Town.” Miss Eva Davenport followed with the favorite Irish ballad “CnshlaMachree,” and the first part terminated with the grand duo from “ Don Pasquale,” “ Signorina in tanta fretta,” the part of Norina being undertaken by Miss Amy Sherwin, and that of the amorous Don by Signor Pompei. In this both artistes sang and acted with great spirit. Miss Sherwin especially exhibiting great archness and vivacity, and fully entering into the humor of the situation. After a short interval the second part commenced with the overture to “II Barbiero,” and then Signor Pompei played a solo on the oboe, “ Souvenir,” from “ Lucrezia Borgia.” This was followed by one of the gems of the concert, the famous “ Deh Con te,” from Nonna, with Miss Sherwin as Norma, and Miss Davenport as Adalgisa. Both voices wore in thorough accord. The applause was most emphatic. Miss Sherwin obtained the next encore by a song entitled “The Surprise,” abounding in staccato passages, which she accomplished with automatic precision. On her recall she at once substituted “ The Broken Tryst,” The succeeding number was another duet from Donizetti's “ L’Elisir d’Amore,” sung in character, the Dulcamara being Signor Pompei, and the Adina Miss Eva Davenport. It was rendered with excellent effect, and was loudly applauded. Miss Eva Davenport re-appeared, giving for her last 7 norceau a song composed by the wellknown composer Mr G. B, Allen, “ The Goat Bells.” This was also encored, and Miss Davenport, in response, sang “He’s going away to leave me.” This was succeeded by the feature of the evening, the mad scene from “Lucia.” Pew artistes possess the rare gift of so influencing the imagination of their audience as to bring before their eyes the veritable scene in which the action going forward is supposed to have taken place, but this Miss Sherwin did last night. From the moment of her entrance, through all the varying phases of feeling she pourtrayed, terror, and the most pathetic tenderness, and over all a weird intensity of passionate force, the audience wore held spellbound, and not a whisper could be heard in the hall as the culminating point approached. When at last Miss Sherwin rushed off the stage with a ringing note (E flat), the effect was electrical, and the audience burst into thunders of applause. The exceptional difficulty of reaching this note can be imagined when it is remembered that the piano was tuned above conceit pitch. Altogether the concert was a thorough and genuine success. The efforts of the vocalists were ably seconded by the instrumental performers, especially by Mr H. P. Towle, who acted as accompanist with marked ability. The programme for this evening will include morceaux from “ Roberto II Diayolq,” ‘L’Elisir d’Amore,” “ LTtalianain Algieri,” “ Don Pasquale,” as well as choice English songs ; auct also by request Miss Sherwin will repeat for the last time the mad scene from “ Lucia di Lammermoor.” To morrow night the concluding concert will bo given.