Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1879-11-26

die as spy, is in the cell, ant
Shelomith, who has managed tC
gain access, is with him. The
iron-bound door opens and the
guards enter and lead ZerrubabeI
away Ia be executed. Shelomith
tries to follow him, but is prevent
ed 10y the officer Of the guard who
bars the doorway with his sword
Shelomith runs against the sword
and faints. The scene was sor-
rowful and affecting one.
The banquet hall of Belshazzar's
palace is now shown. The king
and queen in their royal robes, and
surrounded by tho lords and ladies
of their court, are having a grand
carousal. The scene is brilliant
and enhancing. Song follows
song, wine flows freely, and mirth
and hilsrity are the order of the
hour. The rich dresses, the spark
ling gems, the beautiful palace
room, the pretty, joyous, animated
faces, and the clear, musical voices
combine to form a scene that has
never been equaled in this place,
and is not likely to be easily eff
faced from the memories of those
who witnessed it.
While the merriment is at its
height, an unnatural light flashes
on the wall, and mysterious char
acters are revealed. Consterna-
ton takes the place of hilarity, and
terror blanches the faces Of the
king, queen and courtiers. The
magi are summoned, but fail to
decipher the mysterious characters.
Daniel Is. c. Ham, is then brought
in. He interprets the writing and
informs the king that his days are
numbered, and that his kingdom
will he given to the Modes and
Persians.
The Interpretation scene was one
Of the finest and impressive of any
in the Cantata. Daniel rendered
his part admirably, while the hor-
ror and amazement, blended with
curiosity to know the meaning Of
the mysterious characters, exhi-
bited by the king and his courtiers,
was finely represented.
The king soon RECEIVERS from his
the orgies are re-
sumed, when, in the midst Of the
carousing, Cyrus and his soldiers
rush into the room and Belshazzar
is slain, the scene ending with an
animated and impressive tableaux.
The Cantata closes with the res
cue of Zerrubabel. He was brought
in by soldiers, his neck was placed
on a block, and just as the execu-
TONER was about to strike the
fatal blow, Shelomith rushes in and
throws herself between the axe
and her husband. The guards
lead Shelomith away; the glitter
ing axe is again raised, and just
as it is beginning to fall, in rushes
Cyrus at the head of his soldiers
and rescues him.
After the close Of the Cantata, a
tableau is given, showing all the
Observation-Disclosures lays dead
in front, his queen bending sor-
over him. Back Of them
are the courtiers, Cyrus and his
and Daniel, and. in the
background, the angel appears to
be floating in the air. Brilliant
lights flash upon the scene, show
ing one Of the most dazzling sights
ever seen on q stage at Alpena,
and, as the curtain descends, let us
return our thanks to Antonio, the
queen, TO Belshazzar. Daniel, Cy-
rus, Shelomith, Zerruhabel, and to
all the participants in the Cantata,
for they deserve it, and so also do
the members Of the orchestra for
the admirably rendering of the mu-
sic.
Mrs. Geo. Plough presided at
the piano, Profs- Cheesbro and
Shelley at the organs, ]. B. Clay
berg with flute, and L. B. Howard
with cornet.
Nearly all the parts of the Can
tata were sung, and it must have
taken an immense amount OF drill
ing, patience and perseverance to
enable the various persons to so
admirably render their parts.
A Cantats, like Belshszzar, could
not be rendered effectively without
appropriate scenery, and for this
the citizens are indebted TO the