STAGE AND STUDIO.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 211, 16 July 1887, Page 4 (Supplement)

STAGE AND STUDIO.

Mrs Dn. Potts is still in London, audatiilbc Grosvenor pm&te view recently attracted attention to fecrself by going thei^ clothed from head to foot in bright green ©nxevald plush. There are some good short stoiies tin the May magazines, notably, "The importunate Widow,*' in " Cornhiil ";" Jenny Brooke/' by Mr Macliiren Odbban, in " Longn»an*s " ; and " Judith," a j»rim but powerful little tale, by Miss W-BS3crmnn,in the "Gentleman's." The Academy this year is auch in what may 3dc termed popular pictures. It requires but little art training t-o appreciate thc<exquisito delicacy and colouring<of Sir F. Leigh ton's " Last Watch of HGro" (a lovely woman gazing with aching oyes and apprehensive heart out -on the stormy sea), or the pitiful tale suggested by Orchardsom's "First Quarrel." 3inieie\s "Old World Wanderer " (a Greek explorer .whose eyes burn with the lire oi discovery, landing in the rocky Imy of an unknown land, whilst countless gulls circle screamingly around) is al«o a highly at* raetive ami the two pretty chihlren in MillaiV "The Ne&t" have always a crowd round them. The second gallery at the Academy is dominated almost entiioly by Mr Y. M. Watei house's immense canva-i representing Marianne, the wife of Heuxl- the C4ieat, going forth to execution. Mr (t. A. Storey's, " Young Prodigal " deserves special mention, if only because we fc'luill certainly see it engraved ere long. A merry party in the costumes of the last century have been ejijojing an ul fresco fea^t outside a oountiy inn. The landloul now presents his bill to tho ho^t, who finds lie has not money enough to settle it. The young prodigal's face oi dismay, his friends' jeei«>, and the land loci's peiploxity are all adinhably pourtrayed. John Pettie's " Two Strings to Her Bow " is another work of similar character. A coquette -walking between two gallants ghes an aim to each. At the Grosvenor, Mr Bui no Jones once again hts.nds facile priucej^. >( The Baleful Jlead" represents PerceuK satisfying An diomeda'js cuiioj-ity with regard to the Medusa. It is a wonderful picture. Equally fine, in a different -way, is Mr W. Richmond's "Icarus Prepai ing for His Flight,'' which dominates the end of the w estern gallery. Mr Calderon'* v! ln Forest Deep* " defies description, mucli as his " Aiiadne " did. A lo\ely maiden, -\\ ith a sweet, pensive face and rich golden tresses, hat. been bathing on a hot afternoon in a quiet pool in the lonely depths of a deliriously green forest. She has seated herself, f-till mule, on the mos^y bank and fallen into a rc\ ci ie, a\ Inch, judging by the tender light in her cye^, has something to do with love. I can also recommend Prince Krapotkinc's long-piomised description of his residence in Fiench and Russian pib-ons, and an enthralling book of anecdotes on "]>nelhng Days in the Army." Both are published by Ward and Downey, at (is. Mi'-s OJenevieve Waul and Mr W. H. Vernon returned to England on April 20, after a seven months' tour of the United States. They intend commencing an autumn tour of tho English produces on August i. r >. A motett society has just been formed in Chmtchurch, and at its first concert Mr Milligan Hogg (formerly of Auckland) sang the "Young Recruit." The fiist part of the concert consisted of Schumann's " Requiem. Harry Rickards is in England forming a variety company for the purpo.se of visiting tho colonies about Christmas time. Madame Madeline Schiller, the pianiste, is about to levisit the colonies, after an absence of something like 15 years. The liberal support given in this colony to the Comic Opera Company that has just left our shores is said to be likely to result in the visit of two or three other large companies, the managers of -w Inch have been communicating with Mr R. S. Smythe. The musical amateurs of Christchurch have just produced " The Sorcerer," with good financial resnlts. About 130 guineas have been collected among the profession for Mr George Darrell, who is just recovering from his long and serious illness. A benefit performance was given in Sydney on June 11. Mr Alfred Wyburd, theatrical manager and agent, who left New Zealand for Sydney three*" weeks ago, intends returning shortly with a really good Christy Minstrel and variety company. Mr Woodroffe and his company of glassblowers left for Sydney on June 13, after a most successful tour through New Zealand, during which, it is said, the proprietor has made over £2,000. The last literary work Mrs Wood completed was a short story by " Johnny Ludlow " called "Silent for Ever." As she laid down the pen she remarked to her son, "My work is almost done. It is certain I shall never write much more." She never wrote another line. Of her re-appearance in Melbourne Miss Amy Sherwin is entitled to use Caesar's laconic descriptive phrase "Veni, vidi, vici. " She was received with quite an ovation, the press critics are unanimous in her praise, and she is now in the full tide of her popularity. The " Age " says :— •* She has now returned with her great natural gifts fully matured, a perfect mistress of the art of vocalisation, and having acquired for herself in Europe universal popularity and acceptance as an artist of the first rank. Miss Sherwin's voice is of the purest quality, and perfectly even throughout, being aa full and '' melodious in the middle register as in the upper notes— a rare attribute with vocalists having so extensive a compass. Her execution of florid passages is perfect, and in the power of representing every shade of expression her singing is quiet unique. The mezza voce is particularly admirable, being no simulated sound, but the true voice subdued at the will of the vocalist, having the same sweet-penetrating quality as when used in full volume." Then " Tho Leader " remarks : " Whether in sostenuto passages or in jioriluri, she sang with the utmost finish and refinement, and with a perfection of control over the voice, command of all the resources of her art, and genuine musical feelings as to place her undoubtedly in the front rank among tho most accomplished vocalists of the day." The " Argus " finds that " Miss Sherwin has lost nothing of the purity and sweetness of tone which were always the distinguishing characteristics of her voice. She has gained in volume and artistic control of thetonos she produces." The same paper also refers to Herr Jphann Rhodes, solo violinist of the Company " as a young man who is already _ an easy master of the most advanced technique in violin playing." Miss Sherwin's Company also comprises Mr Henry Stockwell (tenor), Mr Arthur Sherwin (baritone and accompanist), Signor Luigi Lencioni (basso buffo). Her Melbourne season closed on Saturday last, and she now goes to Tasmania for two or three weeks, and thence she comes to this colony, starting at Invercargill, From New Zealand she goes on to New South Wales and Queensland, and will reopen in Melbourne at; the end of October.