The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-05-07


synopsis OF the rendering of the CantaIa
of Esther, so successfully and admirably
brought before our citizens at the Town
Hall on Thursday and Friday evenings
of last week, and venture to say that the
rendering of this Cantata has reyer been
excelled by any amateur chorus in any
place. The thanks of our entire COM
munity are due the cast and chorus for
EN- by them. 1t reflects credit upon
the musical and dramatic talent of our
town of which we can justly be proud.
Such performances cannot but give tone
to and elevate the moral sentiments of
all who hear them. They make one
heart-sick of negro minstrel performan-
ces, monkey and other clap-trap shows.
We learn that the Chorus have under
consideration the study of the Cantata
Of Daniel, or that Of Ahasuerus, for the
purpose of rendering the same on the
evenings of the days of the Fair of the
! p. G.. l.. s. A. & NJ. \. U. Society, and
we sincerely hope they will conclude to
do so, for no better entertainment can be
given our towns-people and country
| friends at the close of those festive days.
Act I.-Curtain rises, disclosing Ha-
man crossing stage; chorus of Persians
in rear; Mordecai appears; solo by Ha-
man with chorus.
Haman petitions the King; the decree
is made and sealed, when a song of joy,
duet with chorus, follows; Prophecies
casts shade on the rejoicing.
Act. II.-Chorus of Jews, in which
Mordecai and Queen are prominent;
Jews in mourning follow, with chorus
and duet, $50 thou unto the King" by
Mordecai and Queen, succeeded by "I'll
CO." &C.; Prayer for success. "He that
goeth forth and weepeth, shall doubtless
come again rejoicing" followed by Sec
ond Maid of Honor, in solo, "God is the
refuge of His people,"
ACT. III.-Dialogue, King and Queen
"What is it, Queen Esther" &C.; Invi-
tation to Banquet; duet, Long live our
beauteous Queen" by King and Esther.
ACT. IV.-Call to Banquet, by Her
aid, Zerish and chorus; Haman. "All
this" &C.; Zerish replies with magnif-
cent solo, "Why should this Hebrew vex
my SOUL" and "Go thou, merrily."
Scribe, reading from scroll; King says,
"What honor and dignity" &C.; HamaD
replies, "Let the royal apparel" &c;
King says, "Do so even to Mordecai;"
Jews, chorus, "Aha" and chorus of re-
joicing at Hapan's downfall; bass solo
by Hegai, followed by solo by Queens
First Maid of Honor, and High Priests
solo, followed by kneeling chorus OF
Jews, "Thou wilt keep him." and "Trust
ye in the Lord forever"
: Triumphal March-Jewish boys and
Median girls.
ACT. V.-"Thy CALLING defeat, alas!
We know it all" With Herald, "But haste
to the banquet hail." at the banquet;
Queens pages waltzing; Dialogue, King
and Queen, when the request is mad e
| the Nyu0en pOInlS Out hlatus IAihs
says, 90, base ungratefrl," &C.; Haman
is hanged; solo and chorus, "Do wake, ,
&C.; finale.
The whole Chorus sang and performed
their parts so we'll that it seems almost
, invidious to single out any particular
, ones for merited praise. And yet we
/ cannot refrain from giving a special
= word of commendation to Messrs. Ora
ham, Skinner, Willard, and Embrey
who respectively carried the parts o
, King, Mordecai, Haman, and Higl
Priest, splendidly; and to Miss Angi,
= Redmond, as Esther, and to Mrs. Will
lard, as Zerish-whose whole souls wer
engaged in the work, and whose spirited
acting went far to making the whole
II success; and also to Mrs. A. r. Yost, a
Z one of the Maids of Honor, and to Mrs
John A. Spencer, as Prophecies.
1t We learn that the Chorus rendered
y vote of thanks to Miss Eugenie Dolliso
/ for her aid and proficient performanc
d" on the organ; and a vote of thanks t
II Mr.. A. C. Elster, through whose instru
'e mentality, patient instruction, and uu
y firing labor and zeal, the Cantata was S
y ably rendered. Snch thanks and prais
y are worthily bestowed