Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-05-07

eTclSe anu uUt tOO HsuCH c4Cepi hUie
than satisfied with our trip, and built
up in spirit with the rich melody OF
the impressive opera of
BELsHAZZAR.
To appreciate this impressive cantata
so full of the richness of biblical his
tory, one must be fully conversant with
the historical record. Coming down
from the time of Nebuchadnezzar, we
find the wicked king, Belshazzar, reign
ing with an iron will over the city of
Babylon, in the absence of his father,
Nabonidas, at war with Cyrus, King
of Persia. The seventy years of cap
tivity as foretold by the ancient proph-
cts, is about expiring, and the hearts
of the Jewish captives are elated with
the prospect Of immediate delivery,
Zerubbabel, the Governor of the Jews.
conveys information to Cyrus under
the guidance of an angel, but is cap
tured and condemned to death. In
the midst of great feast, while drink
ing from the sacred vessels robbed from
the Temple of Jerusalem by Nebuchad-
nezzar, the handwriting appears upon
the wall. All is now dismay and direst
confusion. The wise men attempt its
Interpretation but their incantations
fail. At the request of Nitrocis, Dan
lei is summoned into the presence of
the King, and the mysterious writing
is interpreted, but the feast continues,
and in the midst of the revelry the
forces of Cyrus rush into the city, hav-
ing gained entrance by the river gates,
and the King is slain in the midst of
his revelfy, and Babylon is free.
The presentation of Belshazzar was
under the direction of Prof. Butter
field the composer. The solo parts
were taken by we'll known amateurs of
of Green Bay all profcients in must
cal science. Belshazzar was personated
by Mr. John G. Parkhurst, of New
York, who sustained the role with
wicked earnestness, impersonating the
rollicking king with utter abandon.
In such a character he is simply i'm
mense. His voice is like the rush of
many waters.
The opening scene
by the rivers we weep"
is grandly beautiful. The Jewish cap
tives appear as the chorus continues,
their plaintive song telling the anguish
of their hearts.
The subdued chorus
''Oh! God of our fathers"
with an obligato taken by Zerubbabel
is one Of the most impressive, and is
rendered by the Society with great ex-
cellence.
The aria by Nitrocis,
"The dead lie strewn on yonder plain"
is a gem. 1t must be heard to be
known in all its sweetness.
The trio between Shelomith, Zerub-
babel and Nitrocis-
Father lead me by thy hand"
is one of the sweetest of the many
gems with which this cantata abounds.
The mountain scene where Zerub-
babel is seen cropping his way in the
''No light. no path"
is excellent, and was made doubly i'm
pressive by Mr.. North and Mr.. Benson
On successive nights.
The duo between Zerubbabel and
Shelomith--
soon shall the bright star of Hope gid the
morning."
merited the encore it received. A rep
etition was unavoidable.
But we have not space to speak of
all the excellences of Belshazzar.
From the beginning to the closing
scene, the interest is kept at white
heat, if we may so speak. The Feast
scene is of all, the grandest, and the
closing chorus
1--WE will give thanks unto thee, 0 Lord"
the most inspiring. The costumes were
all elegant, and the tableaux thrilling.
We cannot make personal allusion to
the various representations. All were
in excellent voice and all the appoint
ments were in keeping with the sa-
credness of the theme. All honor to
the Philharmonic of Green Bay, who
have given to the music loving people
a second rendering of Belshazzar, with
no defects, but perfect in all its parts.
Mr.. Butterfeld, as with master hand,
guided the chorus and soloists, sus-
tanned by an efficient orchestra, through
the intricate passages, winning applause
from the votaries of melody who have
learned to love the ravishing sounds
so beautifully interviewer with the text