Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-03-15
Rendered with Immense
Success Three Nights
In This City.
By The Baker Family and
About 30 WatertOWn
Singers.

The past week has proved notable
one among the citizens Of WATERFOWL,
especially in our musical circles; three
renditions of the magnificent and soul
inspiring oratorio of the the "Court of
Babylon" having been given at Turner
Hall, Wednesday, Thursday and Satur-
day evenings, March Sth, 9th and 18th,
| under the direction of the celebrated
Baker family, we'll known throughout the
country for quarter of century. The
Court of Babylon is mastery production
and the principal point in its favor, is that
it reaches the popular heart at once
Though sublime in its effects and exhalted
in its aims it is simple and comprehensive.
With dazzling splendor it draws true
picture of Babylon at the time of its high
est glory, and the beautiful story of the
prophet Daniel, is truthfully portrayed.
And in the last scene where the "chosen
people of God" stand forth disenthralled.
and free, nothing can be more inspiring
and grand. We shall not here go into a
general description of this fine oratorio, but
let it suffice to say that its music and
words denote most complete and COM
prehensive view of the subject, and show
that the author, Mr.. John c. Baker, is
possessed of no ordinary ability as must
cal composer.
In the presentation of the Court of
Babylon the Baker family, composed Of
Mr.. J. c. Baker and wife, Mr.. George E.
Baker and Mr.. Jasper A. Baker were as
sisted by some fifty of our own local sing
ers. After a rehearsal of little over a
week, during which time the greatest
pains were taken with the class and the
utmost courtesy and kindness shown those
taking parts by each member of the Baker
family, the first rendition Of tie Court of
Babylon was given at Turner Hall, last
Wednesday evening, followed by rendi-
tons Thursday and Saturday evenings.
Each evening of the performance the hall
was filled with large and fashionable
audience, and the highest degree of inter-
est was manifested up to the close. That
the Court Of Babylon was placed upon
thestage here in manner surprising the
expectations Of all is generally conceded,
rejecting credit not only on the ability of
talents of the personators.
The character Of King Belshazzar, was
taken by Mr.. George E. Baker, the "Lion
Bass and it is needless to say that the
part was carried through by him in
1aultless manner, his fine heavy voice
showing off to the best possible advantage.
Queen, Nitocris, rendered by Mrs. Eugene
Wiggenhorn, was simply perfect de-
lineation of the character, and by her
stately and commanding presence, beauti-
fully modulated voice, the fine expression
of her acting and a thorough appreciation
of the role, she won the admiration of ALL
Mr.. John J. Moulding assumed the char
acter OF Daniel, in manner that showed
a fine conception of the part Of the
Prophet, and he we'll deserved the
plaudits he received. His appearance be-
fore the King when he translates the writ
ing was especially effective. The Prince
of the Royal family, personated by Mr.
Louis Charboneau, was well performed,
and filled the expectations of everybody.
His fine range of voice and lofty bearing ad-
mirably adapted him to the character and
we qestion ifka better Prince is often seen.
Sereess the Prophecies was taken by Mrs.
]. G. Baker; and the character could not
be betterrendered. Her acting was of that
graceful, easy and impressive style which
is SO seldom seen on the stage Mr.. G. S.
Hawley as Priest, of Baal, was all that
could be desired, and displayed rare
aptitude for the personation. His superb
bass voice never appeared before to have
such splendid compass and clear and dis
tinctsmelody as in the revelry song, ''Down
among the Dead Men, and it played
prominent part in the duets and trios that
lO1lOWO1' 1HC Part u l<dOI1l1, was LnelY
rendered by Miss E. Mannegold, her voice
and action being we'll suited to the char
acter. AS Meshach, a leading lew, Mr.
M. G. Evans did we'll and received marks
of appreciation from the audience. The
character Of Salome, devout Tewess,
was sweetly rendered by Miss Lizzie
Griffith. It is seldom that finer person
alton is seen on the stage than that Of
Miss Eliza Bredow, as Princess of the
Royal Family. Every action and gesture
she made was just suited to the part and
her vivacious and sportive manner could
not be excelled. DIR. A. Solliday per-
formed the part of Shadrach, with good
effect his full bass voice, being peculiarly
appropriate to the character AS Lord
Kings Confidant, Mr.. Jasper A. Baker,
was "the right man in the right place. in
both. voice and action AS the Prima Donna