AMUSEMENTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1499, 5 December 1878, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

OPERATIC CONCERTS.

There was a marked improvement in the attendance last night at the Oddfellows' Hall, the front seats being nearly filled with a large and fashionable audience, although the back seats and gallery were sparsely attended. Miss Amy Sherwin's second appearance confirmed the favorable impression she created on Tuesday evening. The programme was entirely new with the exception of the last item. The first act of " Don Pasquale " was announced, but in consequence of the triumphant reception given toMissSher win's splendid rendering of the Mad Scene from " Lucia di Lammermoor" the previous evening, it was substituted in place of the scene from Donizetti's comic opera. As before, Miss Sherwin's singing and acting were beyond praise. It seemed as if the genuine enthusiasm of the audience communicated itself to the artiste, and stimulated her to greater efforts. The incomparable high note on which she finished was brought out with even greater power and intensity than on Tuesday night, and as on that occasion with equal effect. Next to the scene from "Lucia," Miss Sherwin's most successful effort last night was the lovely " Come per me sereno," from " La Sonnambulo," which was likewise a triumph of vocalisation, and was rapturously applauded. The scena and aria, " Scenes that are brightest," from " Maritana," made one wish to see the artiste in the entire opera. A serenade by Grounod, with a violin obligato, and a sweetly plaintive English song, " Ear away where angels dwell," exhibited Miss Sherwin's exquisite taste in ballad singing, and, in response to an oncore for the latter, she gave a piquante comic song, entitled " Is it anybody's businoßs," though it seemed almost a desecration after hearing her in high class operatic music. Miss Eva Davenport sung tho celebrated cavatina from " Roberto II Diavolo," "Nel Lasciar la Normandia," a pretty ballad i "1 want to kiss papa," and with Signor Pompei a grand duo from "L'ltaliuna in Algieri." She was very successful in her rendering of the pathetic Irish ballad " Savourneon Deelish," and would have been still more so if she had omitted the variations, with which she endeavored to embellish the simple air. Though they served to exhibit the singer's power of execution, it was like painting the lily, and with the same result. Miss Davenport would do well to lcmember that the very essence of ballad singing is to preserve, in its strictest integrity, the simplicity of the music, which is its greatest charm. For the buffo cavatina from " L'Elisir d'Amoro," Signor Pompei substituted the famous "Largo al factotum" from "II Barbiero," and subsequently gave a solo on the oboe, on themes from " Lucrezia Borgia." Signor Pompei, as a singer, reminds ono somewhat of Signor Qrandi, of the Lyster Cagli Opera Troupe, possessing the same extravagant humor and rapid articulation. In tho courso of the evening two overtures were played by tho excellent little orchestra, "Lea Deux Magots" and "Peer and Peasant." This evening the last concert will-be given, under the patronage of his Worship the Mayor of Christ-church. There will be a change of programme, but again, by request, the scena from " Lucia di Lammermoor" will terminate tho concert.