Amy Sherwin

Frances Amy Lillian Sherwin (23 March 1855 – 20 September 1935), known as the 'Tasmanian Nightingale,' was an Australian soprano celebrated for her groundbreaking international opera and concert career.

[2] She was taught singing by her mother and later by Hobart organist Frederick Augustus Packer, who instilled in her a love of opera and oratorio.

Her talent was recognised by William Russell, a former Covent Garden conductor,[3] who gave her a part in his operetta Zillah.

During the next few weeks she appeared as the title role in Wallace's opera Maritana, Leonora in Il Trovatore, and in other leading parts in Fanny Simonsen's troupe.

In Melbourne she met flautist John Lemmone and contracted him as her accompanist for the remainder of the tour, and when she founded her own Grand Opera company, he was a member.

The singer, who once filled the concert halls of the U.S. with her golden voice and earned as much as 3,000 pounds sterling yearly, died almost forgotten, lonely and penniless.

Living in a fine style had depleted her resources and charges of the nursing home where she died had to be paid by charity.