The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1892-11-10
Esther, the Beautiful Queen. :
Presented at the New Opera House
Thursday and Friday Nights,
Nov. 5rd ard 4t'i, to Large
and Gppreciative


and Gppreciative
Audiences.
a HIGHLY cREDiTAsiE RENDITION Ex-
clusiyELY BY HOME TALENT
ARTISTIC SINGING AND -
FINE ACTING.
| The Best Amate Performance Ever
Given in Clifton Forge.
[CosrRIBgrED.l
A large, fashionable and highly APP
preciative audiences, composing the elite
of the city, assembled at the Opera
| House on the nights of November 3rd
and 4th to witness the rendition OF the
! Oratorio of ESTHER, the Beautiful
| Queen"
Our city has been on the tip-toe Of
expectancy, since so many families were
represented in he cast, and there was
peculiar interest manifested, .that it
would be, '-conam ~ fuut." nor were they
disappointed, asst was a success from
the rising of the cnrtain, on the first act.
to the lowering OH the finale.
Mrs. o. c. Morris, Us ESTHER, the
Deautiful,' fully sustained her reputa
ton, as a songstress OF ability-her ac>
ting in the 2nd act being especially fine.
Her voice was peculiarly sweet when
she babe her people Fast and Pray"
king Ahaseurns,," Mr.. c. G. Taylor.
is the possessor of 4 bass voice of depth
and sweetness. He was perhaps at his
best, in the duet with "Haman," as his
song and manner protrayed fully, the
merrie King-he we'll became the err
mine in mien and voice.
Mr.. Farrar's Interpretation of "Ha-
man was perfect-as d jealous courtier
his acting at tim IS bordering on the
professional. His IN ratification and cha
grin, at "Morlecai's' promotion was de-
cidedly realistic.
"Zeresh," Miss Harrle Curry, was love-
ly in voice and person-she gem Of the
evening being her solo, "Thy CALLING
defeat, alas! we know it all.n She was
compelled to repeat the song in response
to an enchore at e lch.. rendition. Little
Ellen Harman was lovely in this scene,
as her father, ''Ham..u's" comforter, as
also in the last act, when she Heads for
her fathers life at the feet of Queen
Esther
Mr.. O. G. Morris as "Mordecai," was
very fine, especially in "Do I wake or
am dreaming?'
Miss Link, "Mordecli's Sister," fully
sustained Richmond's high reputation
for vocal talent
Miss Fountain as the Prophecies"
was in excellent voice, her foreshadow>
ing the doom Of the wicked" was I'm
canny and prophetic.
DR.. Miller, thigh Priest" Mr.. Eaton,
Illegal and Nj. Tin, ley, Scribe" and
Herald" were splendid in their concep-
ton of Court regime.
Miss Mann, graceful and spiritual was
living idealization of her song-"Thou
wilt keep him in perfect peace Mrs.
Hope, Mrs. Carcauh and Mrs. Parker,
were especially happy in their respective
roles
"Harbona," Judge Swami was court
|
The sc yards" Messrs Duncan, King,
James and Miller, added greatly to the
effectiveness Of the Gourt-seene, by
their military bearing and distinguished
physique.
Mr.. d. S. Eichelberger, resplendent in
Oriental dress, was very distingate<, max
ing a handsome foil on the beauty by
which he was surrounded.
The rest of the cast acquitted Them
selves in a highly e!ssditable manner.
i The chorases were good. the best being
between tZeresh's" attendants and cho-
rus. The costumes worn by "Queen;"
"King, n'' Haman, "Mordecai, "ssScribe'
and High Priest, were very handsome
In fact the entire setting up of the stage
was bright and ATTRACTIVE, making a
scene long to 90 rem embered.
The ladies comprising the choruses
were: Mrs Fizer Mrs Cooper Mrs Coy
ner, Mrs. Saunders, Misses Payne, Josie
Daniel, Maggie Jordan, Mayme Quinn,
Mary Taylor, Katie Cooley, Mary Bryant,
Matte silcott Lora Mergell and Jessie
Hugheg.
The chorus of children was very good.
The following are their names: Girls
Stella White, Rebecca Sachs. Daisy
Coley, Lucai Coley, Daisy Harris, Lucy
Hope, Bessie Winter, Bella Sachs, Lizzie
Taylor, Mary Hartman, Ella Smith, Mar
ion Goldstrom, Fitz, Curry. Boys
| Burke Lewis, SAKE Roberts, Willie Ora
bill, Tom Towles, Cramon East, Floyd
Wilson, Willie Moody, Jimmie Smith.
Willie Murray, Plummer Mann, Robbie
Harris, Walter Winter. John White, Joe
Darby and Mesdamer Fizer
One noticeable feature was the alb
sence of friction or stage promptings,
showing how carefully Prof Clary had
done his work. Prof. ClarY has' given
ample ntoof Of his proficiency as musi>
cal director. Much of the stage effect
was largely due to Miss Angie Ballou's
valuable training.
When we take into consideration the
quality OF the music rendered, and the
short time taken for its production, we
were more than pleased at the result.
To Mrs Harman's energy, untiring pa
thence and perseverance, the SUCCESS Of
the Caatata is largely due-in all good
works she is an host within herself. Mrs.
Hartman was ably seconded by MFR. VAN
neman in the stage manipulations, who
gave valuable suggestions and aid. Mr.
Frank Spinner also rendered valuable
service. Each and all, who lent their
time and talents in this good work may
we'll congratulate themselves on the sue
cess of the undertaking It demonstrate
ed conclusivelly that Clifton Forge has
musical taleAl of far more than average
ability. The array of lovely women and
brave men as the curtain fell on the last
act was very striking.
CANTATA NOTES
Queen Esther pleased critical audi>
ences.
Mrs Morris conductei herself with