The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1885-07-04
Closing Exercises of the Acade.
my Of the Immaculate Con-
Ception.

| 1850 AAShNtD hiSht, tIt hsObH ulG
the large study hall at the Convent wa
crowded to its utmost capacity by oul
citizens and many others from abroad
to witness the closing exercises of the
Academy of the Immaculate Conception
conducted by the Sisters Marianites O
Holy Cross. It was evident from the
start that the audience expected yer,
interesting occasion, because they begar
to fill the seats long before the hour o
commencement, and soon there was iio
even standing room for the eager visit
ors. The commodious stage had beer
artistically arranged to illustrate Will
appropriate scenic effects the various
pieces that were to be presented during
the evening Immediately in front
facing the stage, sat the venerable
Father G.. Raymond, who has had charge
of this pastorate for al post half cen
tury, and at his side were the Reverend
Fathers Bardy of Port Barre, Branche
OF Chataignier, and F. Raymond OF
| Opelousas, who, while they gave dieni-
ty and gravity to the occasion, super
vised the proceedings which were to
entertain the audience and exhibit the
proficiency of the pupils of the school.
On the right of the clergy sat the boys
OF st. Mary's Academy, with their
teachers, and the nearest front seats
were assigned to the patrons of the
school
The programme opened with "The
Vacation" chorus by the whole school.
which was sung with that exactitude.
time and harmony, that clearly showed
the careful and efficient labor exerted
by the good Sisters in training the
voices, enunciation and posturing of
their pupils to best illustrate the actual
sentiment of the theme. The grouping
OF the children in an arch like rank,
with the tallest in the centre, gave a
striking tableau and added greater zest
to the song. Miss Corinne Fleming, a
most promising young pianist, render
ed in excellent method the accompani
ment to the selection. The next piece
was "The Flowers" a dialogue in Eng
lish, where a number of our most fayo-
rite flowers are made to express them
selves upon their conditions and mis-
sion in this world. A more exquisite
apologize WAS never written by poet,
and we must say that the little girls,
who personated the different flowers,
gave fine Interpretation of the senti-
ment of this pleasant little fiction, and
made us almost believe we were listen
ing to the flowers talk. Why not such
a hallucination Are not little girls in
their purity, innocence and helpless
ness, the flowers of humanity and the
poetry of everything sweet and loving
in life z Then the allegory was made
more Elusive and striking by the typi-
cal costumes worn with the name of
each flower, hy the sweet little girls
forming the dFamatis personae
Next, "Fanst," u piano solo, was rem
dered in fine expression and excellent
touch by Miss M L. Dupr6.
Calisthenics, Wands and March, was
one of the best exhibitions of the kind
that We have ever witnessed in any
school. The manual of wands was al
most perfect, the esolntions were made
with grace of movement, and the
with that cadence of time
which made Ms, an old veteran, think
of our soldiers life in the late war But
happily calistllenica does not teach the
art nor the miseries of war, but simply
W RlOtHolG HGdtlH
while educating the mind
Jeanne d'Arc q Roaen, solo, was next
rendered III an artistic style and excel
lent voice by Miss G. Fleming. La Pc
ffe GOurnaaRde, French. dialogue, was
recited and cleverly inter
preted by the following young ladies,
viz: Misses. Dupr6, Dantin, Joubert,
Wartelle, Deitlein, Perrodin, Antlrus,
Amy and Fleming. They all sustained
their parts 50 well, with such clear and
distinct utterance, and with sRoIi viva
city, that we forbear partieularizing or
drawing invidious distinctions as to .in-
dividnal merit.
ssCast one Little Thought for Me-
chorus by the whole school, Was sung
IN excellent time and sweet voices, aud
elected much applause from the au
dience.
'sWhosis to Inberit,p 4 charming lit
tie English drama, was Interpreted with
unusual viyacity aud merit by the fol-
lowing young ladies Misses Dupre,
Deitlein, Fleming, Taylor, Dantin, Per-
rodiB, Andrus, Joubert and Wastelle.
The eIocution OF these youug Misses
was SO excellent, their movements so
natural and graceful, aud the general
rendition of the plays SO apt and clever,
that we regret the want Of space to give
them an extended criticism. Norma
solo, was rendered in exquisite taste by
Miss G.. Fleming, Calistenics Dumb
bells, anvil chorus was executed with
such perfect time and charming evolu
lions that nothing would satisfy the al
lience but a repetition of this beautiful
exercise. Just here we would suggest
that Calisthenics should be introduced
ID all of our schools, because the exer
Else not only gives health and vigor to
lie body but adds grace to the carriage
1f the person .Rigoletto," very pref
~ musical selection, was executed with
much grace and talent by Miss Alice
ghaery, who is most promising young
pianist. g Les Petites Savantes,
French dialogue was spoken with great
aasuet6 and clear articulation by the
Misses Chaery, Gnilbeau, Dantin, Per-
,odin, Sandoz, Gosselin, Latreyte, Dn-
rio, Richard, Taylor, Vilaseca and Bay
III, all of whom acquitted themselves III
i very creditable manner.
ahfr. and Mrs Jones, duo, was ex
recited by the little Misses
Villaseca and Dantin. After this q
aree number of very handsome books
we're distributed as prizes to the pupils,
through tb@ venerable Father Raymond
md yisitiE \ clergy, as tokens of merit
rom The gSod Sisters, for proficiency In