Smyrna times., 1889-04-24
Lana.

The Cantata of Laila, rendered at the
Opera House on Monday evening by
our young ladies', was the event of the
season as an entertainment, as was
shown IN the patronage. The house
was well filled on the first floor and in
the balcOny-anOther verdict in favor
OF home talent. 1t was under the aus
pices of the Presbyterian choir for the
benefit of their organ fund, but in the
personnel of the cantata and the zen
eral interest it awakened because of
them it widened into something like a
town affair, to which the projectors, in
the way Of results, did not of course
object. Another thing pleasant TO
record was that the ticket holders
were on better time than is often the
case, which means that they were in
their seats before the time of com.
mencing.
}. Ed. HOilecker, who had so skill
fully drilled them for this presentation
and marked time for them during this
evening, was ready at the appointed
hour, and kept things moving spiritedlv
throughout. The Smyrna Orchestra
which had been making music for the
assembling crowd, gave way for an
overture on the pianO-a duet bv Mrs.
f. b. Evans and Mrs. Harvey Speak
man. Then the curtain rose on tbe
first act of Laila-the plot II renre-
sented pleasant grove on the hillside
wlth band OF mountain girls collec-
tea TO spend the Summer day in sing
ing aud gathering flowers. In the
midst of their gaiety and song they are
interrupted by the approach of beg
gar woman and her children. A mart
of the grOupe at first repulse her. but
one of them, Laila, steps forth and
speaks kindly, and after they have told
their tale of sorrow in song. thew are
invited to the feast which the Children
have prepared.
The young ladies in their stage attire
looked most bewitching AMI beautiful
and were captivating in their song.
Miss Winnie Lynch of Middletown.
took the character of Laila. and Miss
Ethel Cooper that Of the beggar woman.
which was very realistic. Her children
were Misses Carrie Beck, Marion
stevens and Eva Swinney. Those
who took the characters of Mountain
Children were Mrs. J. b. Mifiin. fwho
sang several solos enectivelv( Mrs
Levi Anthony, Mrs. r. II. Mackev and
MISSES Mary Hall, Beulah jefferson.
Hettle Megear, Name Heitshu, Name
Farrell, Flo GoOtee, Minnie Reed and
Emma Hudson.
Part second is n scene in a dark and
gloomy forest, where Laila, the favor
ite of all, has wandered off to cut some
wild flowers and got lost. She kneels
to ask aid from her good angel, when
little band Of Fairies with their Queen
glide into her presence. Laila is
missed by the Mountain children. who
hunt for her until in the night, and in
the third part she is led to them bv the
Fairies and their Queen, who proves to
be the ones who approached them in
the first scene disguised as beggars.
The moral teaches generosity, and
never to hesitate to give to the needy.
In this scene Miss Cooper and her
children, who appeared in the first act
in the garb of wretched beggars, now
appear in the gorgeous attire Of fairies.
All unite in a joyous song, and Laila Is
crowned Queen. Miss Cooper and Miss
Lynch both sang with happy effect.
In the third part Miss Lynch sang
"Home, Sweet Home the only ballad
Of the evening.
The young ladies who acted as
Fairies, besides those before named as
attendants Of Miss Cooper. were Misses
Alice Spruanee, Nan Hoffeoker. Lizzie
Hall, Mabel Thompson, Fannie Rich
ards and Mary Fell.
Laila Is pleasing, not so much for IFS
music, flor its choruses lack the vol
umn that male voices would rive IN
but its bright scenes, its feminine
graces-the mystic charm that is ever
attendant upon youth and beauty.