Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1879-11-26
AlPENA WEEKLY ARGUS.
D. 49, f7s-~zu,s~~-~
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Wednesday, Noe. 20, 1879.
Cantata, Belshazzar.

temperance Union, on tne ioJn'
Goth, 2lst, and 22nd, OF this month,
was the most gorgeous scene ever
witnessed IN Alpena. The scenery
was magnificent, the costumes beau
tiful, and the music and singing
delightful.
AS, no doubt, all our readers are
well verscd regarding scriptural
scenes, il would be needless for us
to describe at length the Cantata,
which treats OF the Babylonian era,
2,41s years ago.
Belshazzar was then king Of
Babylon, end, at the time repre-
scented, the people Of Judah were
captives in Babylon, and the city
was beseiged by Cyrus the king Of
the Modes and Persians.
The Cantata opens with the
Jews engaged in worship. Zerrub-
abel (Dr. McSween,) a prince of
Judah, enter. and is proclaimed a
leader. Intelligence is received
from Cyrus. and their deliverance
from the Babylon yoke Is foretold.
The next scene is one Of the best
In the Cantats. Queen Antonio
NIiss May POTTERY and her atten-
dants, Alfalfa Miss Della Kelly,
and Zerlina Mrs. II. C. Lester. are
singing and happy. The mirthful
songs bubble 80 happy" from
their lips. rs il care and trouble
were myths, and life constant en-
joyment. The scenery was mag
nificent, and through the open
arched walls could be seen glimpses
Of the palace gardens. The act
ing Of the queen and her atten-
dants was all that could be de-
sired; they trilled the audience
with their happy, careless gaiety
and their musical melodies. Bel
shszzsr prof. Foote) accompan-
led by Festus Or. WILSON, enters,
and announces a feast OF Baal, not
withstanding the protest Of the
queen regent Nitoc"is Mrs. G. W.
Jones.) and the captivating scene
ends with joyous singing.
The house Of Zerrubabel is next
represented. Shelomith Miss Ad-
die Sellick,) wife Of Zerrubabel,
enters the room accompanied by
her stten sants. She receives an
invitation, which cannot be de-
cTined, from the king for Zerruba-
bel to attend the feast of Baal.
Zerrubsbel enters the room as his
wife is singing-Myra miss Ida
POTTERY their daughter, having
plesded for q cong. On being in
formed Of the kings message, he
determines to seek the camp Of
Cyrus outside the city, and the
scene closes with some fine sing
ing.
The next scene shows the camp
Of Cyrus. A soldier is on sentry ;;
on the ground lie sleeping a num-
Der Of warriors, and, TO the left,
Is . tent in which Cyrus Oh. S.
Sesgel is asleep. Suddenly the
sentry is startled by the appear
ance Of sn angel floating in the
air. He swskens Cyrus and the
two look at the heavenly messen-
ger with smazemeut. The angel,
in song, tells Cyrus that Babylon
win be delivered into his hands,
and then disappears above. The
scene was well representative
angel comes apparently from the
skies, and seems to be floating in
the air with nothing to support her
but her wings. The part Of the
angel was taken two nights by
Miss Emma Crowell, and two
nights by Miss Della Kelly. Cy-
rus smszement was wen repre-
scented. Zerrubabel is now brought
In by soldiers as supposed spy.
He makes himself known and is
warmly greeted, after which he in
forms Cyrus how he can capture
Babylon. He then departs for his
home in the city. Cyrus msrshals
his forces; they march and coun-
ter-march, performing many move
ments very creditably. There is
some spirited singing in this scene,
In which Cyrus takes q prominent
part
Zerrubabel is now seen coming
down the mountains, he having
lost his way. The scenic effects
are fine; mountains tower 10 the
background, across the front is q
huge fallen tree, and Zerrubabel,
on his wsy down, appears TO be