The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1875-02-05
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+ORATORIQ.

The event OF last week In WOrthing-
ton Was the rendering OF the Oratorio
Of ESTHER, the Beautiful Queen ut
Miller Hall, on Wednesday evening.
That it should have been brought out
IL successfully, in place the size Of
Wortl,ington, is little less tina 4 wonder
full. It certainly reflects great credit
upon the musical talent Of Worthins-
ton, and upon Prof. Bagley, under
whose management it was rendered.
AS it Was the first event OF the kind in
the place, we give considerable space to
i detailed account Of it.
TIE ATTENDANCE.
The doors were opened Is early as
half past six, and from that time until
the rendering began, the people con-
tinued to press into the hall, until every
seat WAS filled, and even the aisles were
occupied. The surrounding towns were
we'll represented, and We noticetla large
delegation from: Bigelow, y: mum, her
from Heron Lake, and u sleigh load or
two from Sihley.
THE RENDERING. -:
We; can speak in detail only of the
leading characters not being able to
distinguish and to specify .alnoug the
host who composed the cl'or1's;: further
than to give their names and to say
that some of the best singers in the
place were represented in the chorus
only.
And first as to the Kin: and Queen
DIR. Craft, it is generally admitted,
sustained the part of the King we'll.
Everything he attempts in music is
credit.b:y done, and but for a metallic
ring in his voice, he would be a most
capital singer. Mrs. McI.aurin, as
Esther, appeared every inch Queen.
Her acting, though little restrained,
was admirable, and her singing was ut
times worthy Of some Of the prima do
mas. J. c. Clarke, as Hannah. gave
general satisfaction. His acting was
dignitied and natural, and his voice
WAS probably the sweetest male voice
OH the stage. Mrs. J: ID. Jackson, rs
Zeris',; probably excelled all others in
perfect naturalncss Of acting and dis
tinctness Of cnunciation. Every word
could he heard distinctly. The charm
Of her singing is in her distinct and
perfectly unaffected rendering. JIM.
Lane is altogether too young Il man for
Mordecai. but he sustained his part
well. Mrs Charles Newton, as Morde-
CATS Sister, WAS not called upon for
much acting. but she charmed the audi
ence by the remarkable sweetness with
which she rendered her solo part. Miss
Ettio Smith, as the Prophetess, sang
with great sweetness and power. III
her first appearance. the audience got
the benefit of the music only, not hear
ing the words, but in the prayer scene
(which, by-the-way, was the NEST i'm
pressive and touching Of iii tile scenes,
her words came out with considerable
distinctness. For both sweetness and
compass lit compass is the word, for we
mean power to fill hall or church.
we think Miss Snitl. bore the palm CT
the evening. f. Baldwin, us Illegal.
either did not, or did not have an OPP
portunity to. do himself justice, for lie
has, we think without exception. the
sweetest bass we hive heard. Other
characters We're Rev II. Il. Tuttle. as
Scribe, DR.. Moore, as IIarbonah, and
Geo. Plumb, IS High Priest, but their
parts being slcl, rs to afford very linn
tied opportunity for either acting or
singing, do not demand special mention.
There Was, Of course. considerable il,
the acting and costumes, which is o'e1'
to criticism lfor example, the high
Priest 3 robe and the dresses of som.
Of the lady ch;:ractefs), but these are
only very small spots upon the sun.
The rendering VS. Il credit to the pl ICE,
and will long he remembered rs the
initial entertainment in our musical
history, and we hope soon t. see tie
Musical = ssociation which has been
organized take up one of the amatuer
Operas (tIle Doctor of Alcantara, for
instance and render it as cretlitably
as they have rendered the Oratorio Of
Esther.
We give below 4 list of the names of
those who appeared III the rendering
CHARACTERS.
King Al,asuerus- Craft.
Queen Esther-Mrs. McI.aurin.
uaM~a-J. c. larke.
ZerisIl-Mrs. Jackson.
Mordecai-J. NJ. Lane.
Mordecai's Sister-Mrs. Newton.
Prophetess-Miss Smith.
Scribe Rev. II. B. Tuttle.
Hegai-E. Baldwin.
High Priest-Geo. Plumb.
IIarbonal--Dr. Moore. -
Kings Pagfs~E$rny Sutton and
Jimmy Humiston.
Queens Pages-Lurlie Me- aurin and
Nellie Thompson.
Zerish's Child-Minnie Miner.
CHORUS.
Ladies-Mrs. H. T.. Smith, Stevens,
Dean, Shell, Bigelow, Barber, Misses
Hattie Smith, Mary Childs, Maggie