The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1881-05-14


was sung by Mr.. Lewis with great sweet
ness. and fully up to the high standard
which Mr.. Lewis has attained as singer.
Mr.. T. p. Morgan, as Hsmsn, sang quite
creditably, yet, for the most part, it was i'm
possible to understand him. In his high
tones, his voice is clear and sweet, but in the
lower tones, it is very difficult to distinguish
the words. Mr.. Ferguson. rs King did ex-
ceedingly well; though not as well as we ex
pected. Mr.. Ferguson, however, has had
the entire management of the drilling for
this cantata, and to say the least, has been
considerably overworked. If any praises is
to be awarded for the grand, and inspiring
choruses, which abound in the cantata OF
Esther, that praise should be due to Mr..
Ferguson. As leader in music Mr.. Fergu-
son stands at the head among colored peo-
pie. Mr.. Thornton Small did not have q
very prominent character, yet he acquitted
himself very well. indeed. Among the Ia
dies,
MISS CORA WATSON,
1t is acknowledged, carried off the honors
As the Prophecies, she sang with unexam-
pied sweetness and power, and her acting
was very creditable for an amateur. In the
banquet scene, Miss Watson, assisted by Mr.
I. j. Monroe, sang "Miserere," from "Il
Trovatore," and won the spontaneous, and
general applause OF the entire audience
Miss Ella Buckner, as Queen, sang very
sweetly, and acted very creditably. Miss
Buckner's voice is not very powerful, yet
quite sweet. For the most part it was diff
cult to understand her, yet, at times, she
sang with such spirit as to merit the ap
plause of the audience. Miss Buckner was
we'll received and presented with basket
of flowers. Miss Hattie Harper, Cincinnati's
favorite, sang as Mordecai's sister in several
solos, duets and quartetts, and added to the
laurels she has already won as a singer
Mrs. Ferguson did not have a character in
which the beauty of her contralto could be
displayed, yet, in the quartette, ''Do | wake
or am Dreaming" she sang in her well
known style, and very sweetly, indeed.
Miss Ida Liverpool made her debut, as a
singer in the banquet scene, and acquitted
herself well. Miss Ida Luker sang very
sweetly, and we'll. Among Zarish's attend
ants, there was young girl named Nora
} Johnson, who possesses a beautiful and strong
contralto voice. In the choruses, this soce-
ty is, indeed, splendid. Many of the Choir
uses are in flight, tripping measure" and
some slower, yet all all were rendered in q
style at which Theodore, HIMSELF could not
grumble at very much. The change in the
scenes were made quite promptly, and the
cantata did not drag at all, and this is due,
no doubt, to Mr.. T. j. Monroe. Theorches-
ira, under Prof. Willis Hamilton, were
aided by Mrs. Susan Tinsley, on
the piano and Mr.. Fountain Lewis on the
organ. The rendering of this cantata was
a financial success, as nearly $3.50 were
cleared. This society is making prepara-
tions for the trip to Louisville. The rates
for the round trip have been placed at $3.50
At this rate the whole city can go down to
Louisville.
"Freedom's Dawn" made two desperate
efforts to "dawn" at Robinson's Opera House
on Monday and Tuesday evenings of this
week, but couldn't dawn" at all. 1t is to
be regretted that the colored people did not
turn out to one or both of those perform
ances, as Powhatan Beatty, ESQ, Cincin-
MATHS colored dramatist, had charge, and
had added many features entirely new. Be-
sides the Henderson sisters of Kentucky
and Henry Hunley, the best basso singer in
the country had been engaged to sing, and
they alone would have been immense. II
must have been very discouraging to the
managers, yet we hope to hear of another
attempt.
Mr.. Henry Forte visited Indianapolis on
Sunday, and speaks glowingly of the Big
Five Bagby Brothers, who run the Leader
Forte says, that the Bagbys are determined
that the Leader shall be on top in Cincin.
natl. Randoms will take their old places in
the Leader, and all the babies in Ohio will
cry for the "Lee-da."
We wonder why Alferno did not speak o
those young girls who were in the cantata
and who attended the practices twice q
week, often times having no company at al
either going or coming away. Some Of
these young ladies were compelled to &C
home alone as late as nearly IL. On last
Friday, the day the cantata was rendered
nearly twenty-five girls were absent from
the High School. 1t is odd Alferno die
not notice this, especially as he was at the
rehearsal himself. In June when the ex
animation papers are marked and the ma
jority of these young ladies come below the
average, Alferno will say, "Balls and par
ties" and we will say "Cantata biz" Their
will there be weeping and wailing among
the Pharisees
The picnic at Prices Hill, will occur on
the 25th of this month, and not Goth, as wa
announced last week.
Persons desirous of going to Louisville
can get information of boarding houses
from Mr.. George Hays and I. j. Munroe
Quite a crowd of city boys were up OF
Walnut Hills last Sunday. A istroll thro
Eden Park On Sunday with young lady
mot too young--but just must be awfully
too good to think about. Young men (no
too young, etc., try it once!
Miss Cora Watson received letter from
several of our leading citizens, highly com
plimenting her for her admirable singing
and acting at the cantata. Coming, as thi
compliment does from men capable OF judg
ing, this is a high yet deserving compli
ment to Miss Watson. 1t is also the gen
eral opinion that Miss Watson should hav,
been queen, and also that Miss Hattie Har
per would have made an excellent queen.
Mr.. Harry Griffin, that genial and gentle
manly student of "dear Wilberforce" has re
tuuned to the city, and is receiving a heart,
welcome at all hands. Harry is the pet o
Cincinnati society, and though reserved
and dignified in his manner, he extends
true and firm hand to his friends. w
wish Harry great success and jolly time.
The strawberry feast given by Georg
Stevens was attended both nights by
throng and came out on top.
Tai Tai Jarius. Shake BeSys
The Queen City Choral society will hol
its own in Louisville during the festival.
The colored press was treated first elias
by the Queen City Choral society for whic
accept our thanks.
Mr.. Monroe deserves great credit for tn
excellent manner in which the cantata wa
produced.