Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-05-23
A GRAND SUCCESS.
THE cANTATA, QUEEN ESTHER,
AS PRESENTED BY THE
CHORAL UNION
At West Randolph Thursday and Friday
Evenings, May 16 and II.

Beautiful Queen came to very sue
cessful termination on Thursday ant
Friday evenings of last week, entirel,
eclipsing any entertainment of the kinC
ever presented in West Randolph. i
was conceded by several good critics
who were present on both evenings, /,
be first class in every respect and rarely
excelled by professional artists. and al
seemed astonished that so much coulC
be accomplished by local talent alone
The company was composed of forty
two adults and twenty children, equally
divided between boys and girls and eight
in the orchestra, making seventy in all
AT an early hour on Thursday eve
long before the time for the curtain tC
rise, Dubois q Gays hall was densely
packed with an intelligent and apprecia,
tive audience while crowds came 10 the
doors and were turned away to come
again the second night. After the over.
ture the curtain rose and in came cho.
rus of Fersians singing praises 10 Hamar
in manner that not onlydid themselves
as singers, great credit, but reminded Us
very forcibly of the vast difference be.
tween trained and unframed chorus.
Each one seemed TO try TO Guido his
Deighbor in singing and acting and all
did well, both chorus and solos were
fine. One thing very noticeable with the
chorus was the pronunciation, every
word was distinct, although so many
were singing. There was no hesitation,
every one seemed to know what came
next without being told. This was a
particular feature that so many could be
so thoroughly trained as 10 90 through
play two hours in length without the
aid of baton or prompting. The chorus,
thrust We in the Lord forever" was well
brought out, the whole from commence
ment TO close being gradual crescendo,
closing with a mighty shout, while the
closing choral was perfectly grand and
must be heard TO be appreciated. The
children in the "1riumphal March, fair
~ outdid themselves. receiving hearty
encores on both evenings. They had
been so thoroughly drilled by c. c. Bee
die, stage manager, as TO go through the
entire act without being prompted and
without a mistake. although some Of
them were scarcely knee high. Miss No
ra Hayward, who acted as Queens page
was certainly a fayorite. her dancing
was admired by all. o. j. Marcott, as
Harbonah, rendered great assistance. not
Vhi. III Hir part bui also III the CHORUS,
while the four guards. j. l.. Hutchinson,
+. i. Martin. T.. Il. Salisbury and l.. X.
Hutchinson always managed to get
round in time TO do their part well, all
without the shedding of blood. The dis
tinct pronunciation in the solo, "Morde-
cal the Great" as sung by Mrs. Carrie
Davis, was very noticeable, also the
clear mezzo solo voice of Miss Julia
Wood. who responded with "He and
all his nation shall learn how forlorn."
Edwin Martin, as Herald. was always on
hand in season, singing his part in good
tune and time. w. +. Lamson, who took
the part Of Illegal, followed as it was. by
lie layeth low, was conceded by some
TO be one of the finest points of the even
ing and well deserved praise. The sing
ing of, Thou wilt keep him." by Mr..
Chattield, who took the part of High
Priest, was especially fine and well act
ed, il seemed as though the voice was
perfectly adapted to the song. Mrs. W.
W. Rogers sang the Prophecies solo
most acceptably. her acting was fine.
her attitudes faulthess, and followed as
il was by the grand tableaux, was much
enjoyed by all and formed an important
part Of the play. Mrs. Adams, who took
the part of Mordecai's sister. rendered
great assistance, her part was done ia a
manner that would reflect credit on an
artist, her voice being clear soprano
and in good tune. she certainly has the ele-
ments of success. Mrs. Ford who PLAYED
the part of Zerish, had very important
part and she seemed TO have been made
on purpose for the place. for her singing
and acting was of such a character as TO
impress every one with the idea that she
herself was the real Zerish and every
one enjoyed her part for the reason that
it was so real and true to life. Her voice
IS deep alto and shows culture, espe-
cially noticeable in her enunciation, a /
very important thing with singers. w.
>. Spencer, as Hannah, was wonder to
all. This was really his first appearance
on the stage, at so young an age, and
with only about six months study i'm the |
vocal art it may be truly said he made
grand success of il. the taking leave of |
wife and child was truly affecting and |
there were many wet ewes in the audi |
ence. Little Hattie Hayward, who act
ed the part of child of Hannah and Ze-
rish, deserves especial praise for the |
beautiful and childlike manner in which |
she acted her part, thus adding much to
the effectiveness of the parting scene.
DR.. Bailey, in the part of Morde-
cal, sang his high notes with ciearness
and strength which was remarkable and
# ever a man realized his condition it |
was poor, old Mordecai. as he entered |
clothed in sackcioth and ashes singing
'Woe is me-" Miss Minnie Carpenter. as |
Queen, and A. Ii. Beedle as King. play
ed their parts in manner that pleased |
all present, if we may judge by the fire.
luent applause they received, Miss Car
penter taking her high notes clearly and
distinctly. Her voice is one oft hose clear
sopranos which always tells wherever
you place it. Mr.. Beedle. as King. in
solos, and Duets with Queen and Ha-
nan did himself great credit as singer.
Notwithstanding very severe attack of |
illness which came on the same after
noon of the play. Miss Carpenter and
Mr.. Beedle both deserve especial praise
Tor the very able manner in which they
played their parts. The arrest of Ha-
nan by the Guards although one of the
hardest things to do was perfect. having
been so carefully prepared by c. c. Bee