The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1881-01-29
CINCINNATI DEPARTMENT.


n
is now distributed by the following we
known and responsible gentlemen:
! Messrs. Willis J. Ross, Walnut Hill an
North of Court street; Benjamin Werle
f East End; George Bartlett, West and Sout
Cincinnati; Albert johnson. West of Ba,
miller.
Very unfortunately on account Of missin
the early train, the Leader did not arriv
until very late last Saturday. This will nc
occur again. The Leader hereafter shall b
delivered in time for breakfast and positive
ly before dinner. Persons desirous of hav
ing it brought every Suturda,
early will make arrangements with any o
the following Leader agent. Messrs. Ross
Merles, Bartlett and Johnson, and il
er will be promptly and surely delivered
Give in your orders at once.
THE CANTATA OF DANIEL.
Its admirable common school system, itt
department of art and its University OF
science place Cincinnati second to few and
the superior of many of the educational and
art Centers of the world. In music especial.
ly does Cincinnati expend the best portion
OF its native talent, and not stopping there
draws largely upon other cities to assist in
attaining the highest point of
musical excellence. It's mag
nifcent music hall, its numerous harmoni-
cal societies, saengar bunds and church So
cial singing societies, attest the widespread
taste for music inherent to the people of
Cincinnati. Those societies which we have
just mentioned, to be sure, are composed of
whites, yet the whites do not possess all the
musical talent, not by great deal. A look
back over the history of the colored people
will show that colored society has always
been of a musical turn. The first ventures
in the musical field among colored people
we're chiefly church choirs. and singing Sc
cieties, but these societies developed and
nourished taste for music which has ex-
isted until to-day. Probably the first band
OF singers ever gathered together forthe pur-
pose of travel, was the Gilmores' High
School Singers, in 1847. These singers
travelled throughout Southern Ohio, singing
in all the towns and cities, and applied the
profits to the buying of books and the pay
ing of the tuition for poor children. Among
those who composed this company, we
might name Mrs. Ann Baltimore, Mrs.
Maria Adams, Mrs. Frances Clard, Miss
Louisa Casey, Mr.. Abram Cox, Mr.. York
Anderson, Mr.. VIM. Jones, Mr.. VIM Casey, |
Mr.. j. Woodson, Mr.. Peter H. Clark, Mr.. |
Simon Spencer and Mr.. Elijah Forte. These
singers were the sensation of the day and |
did great deal toward showing the white |
people what the colored people could do,
and by this raising the opinion of the col |
ored people considerably higher. Since
then the pursuit of music has been confined |
to the schools, and each one of the colored |
schools has attained reputation for its |
singing-particularly Gaines High School. |
A few years ago a society was formed |
and the Csntatas of Esther and Daniel |
where rendered very creditably to those
who participated. This society was invited
TO Lockland and to Dayton, where they |
achieved great honor for their able rendi- |
tion of these Cantatas. But all these have
been mere attempts, mere steps upward,
when we consider the rendering of the Can !
tata of Daniel by the young Ladies and Gen
tlemens singing society on last Friday even |
ing at Melodeon Hall. Long before the
curtain was rung up, the hall was crowded
with enthusiastic listeners sitting in chairs,
windows and standing in every available
space. Very soon alters o'clock the cur
tain went up displaying most magnificent
and beautiful scene. The stage was filed
with finely costumed ladies and gentlemen
who sang in even and very melodious tones
The opening chorus entitled "The River of
Rohulop - Tho ~ of Il - L..
been taken by VIM. II. Parham Esq. but on
account of severe cold was compelled very
to give up to VIM. Morgan Of |
the Public Library. Mr.. Morgan rendered
the so 10 of BLESSED be the name of the |
Lord"in excellent style of voice, and showed
he was perfectly at home in the difficult |
character he personated. His make up and |
of Daniel was perfect. Mr.. p. j.
Ferguson as King and Mrs p. J. Ferguson
as Azariah, added more laurels to the |
crowns they have already attained by their
beautiful singing on former occasions. Mr.. |
Ferguson voice was in splendid condition |
and in his solos seemed 10 shake the very
foundations of the building, such was its |
depth. In look, in walk, in voice |
in dress, he was every inch King.
The duett "Oh, my brother" was simply |
too sweet to talk about, and Mrs. Ferguson |
and Mr.. John Lewis did exceedingly we'll. |
Miss Hattie Holmes sustained the part of |
Queen very creditably. Her voice, while |
not strong, is very sweet and enhancing, |
and in her various solos she achieved great |
applause. In carrying out her part, she |
failed to display that certain haughtiness |
and queenly dignity of step-which all |
Queens are supposed to possess-neverthe- |
less, in her modest way, she looked queenly. |
We can not help but mention here one or |
two scenes which were perfe,tly beautiful |
indeed. The scene occurred twice during |
the evening. It consisted of the Queen, her |
two attendants, Misses Cora Watson and |
Ida Liverpool; the King and the Court off,
GERS, representing Court scene. The sweet |
faces Of the young ladies, the elegance of |
their costumes and their graceful attitudes |
attracted general comment. Messrs. john |
son, Ross, Woodson and Jones rendered |
their parts in excellent style. Mr.. Thomas |
Triplett, baritone singer, closed the second |
part of the exercises by singing the solo 80. |
Sing Unto the Lord" This solo was with |
out doubt the gem of the second part and |
was very sweetly and artistically rendered. |
The scene where Daniel is seen praying
from the window was very realistic The |
ehoruses throughout weresuperbly rendered,
the "Triumphal Chorus" being particularly.
Mr.. T. j. Monroe had charge of the stage,
and under his skillful management the vsri-
GUS scenes and acts ran very smoothly and
without disagreeable interruptions. It
is said that about $500 was cleared
over sll expenses, ifso, the success of this of
this entertainment was marvellous. It is
rumored that this Circle will not disband,
and at some convenient day this contata
will be repeated. The members of this
Circle are deserving of great praise for their