The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1891-03-25
ESTHER.
The Cantata of the Beautiful Queen
Rendered by the Congregational
and Methodist Choirs.
The Splendor OF Shushan and the
= Melody Of Captive Israel
tet Reproduced.

An spite OF slippery walks, ana weather
which resulted fram compromise be.
tween winter and spring, large audience
gathered In the Opera House Friday even.
ingto listen TO the Cantata Of Esther, ren.
dered by home talent. W. s. Franks of
the Methodist.choir had drilled q large
chorus, which Geo. Barnes of the Congre.
gational choir had instructed In dramatic
ART for the rendering Of this pleasing and
profitable cantata. Miss Ella Bush pre-
sided at the piano, and the orchestra un-
der Clarence Converse, played with hap
py effect. Though the chorus had been
at work but short time, they had prac
iicei faithfully, as was shown by their
success in rendering some Of the more
difficult of the parts, as He that goeth
forth and weepeth," and the difficult
unison passage, Make tnou gallows.'
In the prayer Tor success" they sang
distinctly and with expression, but so that
the accompanying SOLO, ITO Thee o
Lord" was understood perfectly and its
effect heightened; while the opening and
final choruses showed good expression
and power
His Majesty, s. E. Wilcox, looked every
inch king, and dispensed regal hospital
iiy as one who is accustomed 10 il.
Whether he charged Haman two dollars
day for il or not, has not been reported.
Miss Bertha Howk sang the queens
part with dignity and grace. Her voice Is
clear and rich; and her costume was
beautiful and becoming.
Go. Barnes as Haman, and w. S
Franks as Morlecai were we'll adapted
to their respective parts. Both wore
rich costumes and were at home on the
stage
W. II Fisher is equally coed as Jew
or Persian, Sunday School Superintendent
or Railroad Agent: indeed, he seems
to have succeeded In becoming all things
TO all men and that TO every ones salts.
faction.
Miss Minnie Clegon sang the part OF
Zerish we'll, and deserved much credit for
the good appearance Of her pupils in the
march.
Miss Maud Baker as Zerish's attendant
looked attractive and acted well. Mabelle
Benedict and May Townsend were The
attendants Of the queen and their voices
blended pleasantly with the chorus.
Miss May Townsend sang the part Of
the prophecies very effectively,-striking
and holding the high NOTES near the close
of ih passage with an ease and confidence
that promised much for the future
Of the voice Of so young a singer.
Bentley Vischer as Harbonah, and
Albert Pierce as Scribe did themselves
credit, and were efficient also rs the
kings cbamberlains VIM. Cdshion, Jr.
and Carl Rust with bass voices and battle
axes made formidable guards. II. Tissot
as Hegai, sang admirably 10 the last quar-
iette, snd In the solo, "For be bringeth
down, sang his low F with an ease that
seemed 10 say that another half octave
could be accomplished with comfort II IL
we're necessary.
The kings pages, little Ralph Dimock
aud John Brahney, with the queens
pages, Nettie Hustled and Ls,ta Phelon,
by their dlminutive size. their pretty
costumes and their merry, childish acting,
won The hearts OF all the audience. Nettie
Husted, who acted also as the child Of
rHaman and Zerish, performed in q touch
Ing manner difficult part
M. II. Wadsworth sang 10 clear, mel.
low voice the High Priests obligaio solo,
Thou wilt keep him In perfect peace"
The iriumphal march, by "a pupils Oft
B and o Grammar'schools, was lead bv
Webster beatty under the direction OF
Miss Clegon. 1t was, we'll executed, and
called forth vigorous encore.
Tho qusriette, "Do wake or am
L dreaminR,"--one ot the most ef-
iective parts--was beautifully sung by
Misses Mabelle Benedict and Minnie
Clegon and Messrs. Franks and Tlssot,
and among much that was good, deserves
especial mention.
In any performance given by young
people, many Of whom have never appear
ed In their role before, and to all of whom
the experience Is unusual and the oppor.
tunIty for practice limited, something can
be said by way Of criticism, This concert,
while not free from such detects as appear
In all such work, was on the whole, IN
usually well done, and reflects great
credit on our young people. The leaders
Of the two chois deserve fellcitatlon tor
the success Of the entertainment. We
understand that the gross receipts were