OPERATIC CONCERTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1500, 6 December 1878, Page 3

OPERATIC CONCERTS.

The concluding concert of the series took place last evening under tho patronage of the Mayor of Christchurch and the City Council, and was a great success. The Oddfellows' Hall was very nearly filled, all the front seats being occupied. 'The programme, with a few exceptions, was nearly the same as that of Monday night. Tho principal novelty, and one of the chief attractions of the concert, was tho grand scena and miserere, followed by "Ah che la morte," from Verdi's " II Trovatore," in which Miss Sherwin was assisted by Mr H. F. Towle. Miss Sherwin was in grand voice, and next to tho Mud Scene, from " Lucia di Lummerinoor," which again terminated the concert, the selection from " II Trovatoro" was ono of her most brilliant achievements. Both singing and acting were of the highest degree of excellence, and at the conclusion of the scena ono gentleman audibly remarked, ■' Ah! that's something like a Leonora, " a remark with which the remainder of tho audience by their enthusiastic plaudits seemed to coincide. Mr Towle was in excellent voice likewise, and sang tho music of Manrico with great, effect, his voice perfectly harmonising and Mending with Miss Shcrwin's. Mr Towle possesses an organ of much sweetness and considerable power, and would be an acquisition to any opera company. The audience last night were by no means slow to recognise his merit. Miss Sherwin, by request, sang tho " Surprise," and on being recalled substituted "Home, sweet home," with exquisite effect, the simple plaintive melody appealing to all hearts, as new graces were added to it by the tenderness and feeling with which it was sung. In tho second part Miss Sherwin was no less successful in Moore's delightful ballad "The Last Rose of Summer." Miss Eva Davenport sang Bishop's "Should he upbraid," and for an encore gave the favourite song "The Dashing White Sergeant," both being applauded She also sang the famous Brindisi "II Segreto," from " Lucrezia Borgia," though being written for a contralto it is scarcely suited to the quality of her voice. Tho buffo [element of the concert was contributed bv Miss Sherwin and Signor Pompei, in the from Rossini's "Don Pasquale," which went so well on Monday evening, and by the Signor and Mi'sb Davenoort in the grand duo " Signorina in tanta fretta," from " L'ltaliana in Algieri." Signor Pompei alsocontributed the popular " Largo nl factotum," from " Tl Bnrbiere." Tho overtures played by the band were " Martha " and "La Dame de Trefle." Mr Towle also accompanied the "Miserere" in the first part on the harmonium very efficiently, Miss Davenport taking his place at the pianoforte with the ease and skill of a finished musician. It is a a great pity that just as Miss Amy Shorwin's splendid talent is'beginning to bo appreciated the series of concerts is about to terminate, but her success, and the triumphant if somewhat tardy recognition of her great merit should at' least be sufficient inducement for the patrons of music in Christchurch to come forward more promptly for the future, when another great artiste comes amongst them with such credentials as she has brought.