Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1892-01-26

Beriot's Concerto for Ftoltn 4rie
No 8, by that Wonderfully Talented
Young artist, CHE Rising Starr
Miss Mag HamaEer-F'rSt Grand
Blecttcdl Display eoer Witnessed in
Charles TotVn.
A contributor kindly furnishes the
following handsome notice of the
Oratorio given here last week:
Seldom has home talent met with
such an enthusiastic reception as was
accorded to those who took part in
the rendering of Bradbury's famous
Oratorio F" Esther, the Beautiful
Queen" at Washington Hall, upon
Tuesday and Thursday nights of last
week. The performance was under
the skilIful direction of Prof. G. w.
CiarY, musician of great ability and
experience. During the preparation
of this classical and deservedly pop
ular Oratorio, Prof. Clary had the
hearty cooperation of Madame and
Miss Bertha Ruhl, (Challes Towns
most experienced and talented mu-
sicians). Their assistance was in
valuable to him, and it reflects great
credit upon these ladies that their pu-
pills showed to such great advantage
in the several parts assigned to them
by Prof. Clary. The Professor had
several enemies to cope with during
the preparation of this beautiful en-
tertainment, notably, la grippe, which
being no respector of persons, made
a determined attack at one time upon
the King, afterward laid Haman low,
and even assaulted the Beautiful
Queen (Miss Maggie Mcknight. y
The weather also was against the Pro-
fessor, which caused great deal of
non-attendance. But happily that
bane of most amateur performances,
jealousy, was absent, and when tile
final cast of presentations had been
made all went to work to make sure
of the performance being success,
and well they succeeded.
Prof. c. w. CIary's selection of
persons to assist him and personate
the different characters were as fol-
lows: Pianist, Miss Bertha Ruhl
Stage Directress, Mrs. A. E. Ken
nedy; Director of Music, Prof. C. w.
Clary. Miss Maggie Mcknight. who
so ably personated Queen Esther, has
magnificent soprano voice, and her
singing and dramatic acting for an
amateur was wonderful. Mr.. T. NJ.
Bakers PRESERVATION of King Ahas-
uerus was perfect, and his rendering
of the music superb. Where all did
so we'll it is hard to particuIarize, but.
especial mention is certainly due Mr..
Baker (King) and Miss Mcknight
(Queen), for the exceedingly beau
tiful taste with which they rendered
their solos and duet in the Sd act
Their Interpretation of the music
would have been credit TO the pro-
fessional stage, and it earned from
the audience an enthusiastic encore,
which was responded to in right royal
style. Mr.. A. D. Barr, who has dra-
matte talent seldom seen off the pro-
fessional stage, and also fine bari
tone voice of great power and COM
pass, added greatly to the success of
the entertainment. His personation
of Hannah, the proud and pompous
Agagite, was really grand, and we
most certainly wish to see and hear
this gentleman again. If Mr.. Barr
had chosen the stage as profession
he would surely have made his mark
upon it. Mr.. p. c. Kennedyas Nor
decai, the Jew, had an exceedingly
difficult part to sustain, but he was
equal to the occasion. Mr.. Kennedy
saug the ducts Go Thou Unto the
King, Well Fast and Well Pray for
Thee) and the solo and quartette, Do
Wake or Am 1 Dreaming, excep-.
tionally we'll, and his personation of
the faithful Mordecai was a decided
success.
Miss Julia Merchant as Zeresh (Haman's
wife) was jusLthe ideal Zeresh. Her impress
| siVe appearance added to her superb alto voice
was exactly suited to the part she sustained
| In that magnificent alto solo, Make Thou q GAL
| lows, her voice was heard to grent advantage.
| its bell tones filling the hall with music. In
her final leave taking of Hanan she had an ex
cellent opportunity to exhibit her dramatic
talent. and she showed that she possessed such
| talent Of the highest order. The personation
/ OF Humans little daughter was entrusted to
Miss Mona Taylor, child five years old, and
no better selection could possibly have been
made. The sweetness and expression exhib-
tied by her as upon her knees she made mute
appeal to the Queen for her fathers (Hanan's)
life (act v, scene lid must be seen to be APP
prcciated. To Miss Mary Latmer. who per-
| sonatcd Mordecai's Sister, great credit is due
for the beautiful taste displayed in her render
| ing of that beautiful PRAYER, In Thee, o Lord.
| Do Put My Trust, and in the solo and quar-
tette DO Wake or Am Dreaming, showed
che was possessed of much musical abil-
| ity. Miss Alice Taylor and Miss Fannie Timber
lake as Zeresh's attendants. ably sustained the
parts assigned them. ald intheir eolos both these
ladies exhibited excellent musical and dramatic
| talent. AS the Prophecies Miss Anna Wyatt
WAS a decided success. This lady's impressive
| appearance, her pleasant voice and the excel
lent taste she Displayed in rendering the de-
nunciation of the wicked was one of the chief
| attractions of the entertainment. Miss Magma
Moore and Miss Minnie Undertake were two
| charming Maids of Honor, and by the perfect
| rendering of the parts allotted to them added
greatly to the success of the whole. Miss
Moore sang as solo, Thou Wilt Keep Him In
| Perfect Peace, in q very impressive manner,
| and Miss Timberlake did admirably in the solo
| Let Ne Never te COMPOUNDED. Mr.. Lee ShiF-
ley as the High Priest. promising his people the
protection of the Lord, while the chorus kuelt,
made very impressive tableau, and with his
| rich baritone voice rendered his solo In q very
effective manner. Mr.. Norval GalIaher as
| Scribe. Prof r. f. Walsh as Chamberlain and
Mr.. Ramsey Taylor rs Hegai, all did excellent
and added greatly to the success of the whole.
| The Royal Throne was under the careful pro-
| lection of Messrs. Watson. Elliott, Stump aud
Reininger, and they plainly showed that they
| appreciated the Importance of their position
| "a Royal Guards. Master w. Ruhl and Percy
Elliott were the Kings pages, and acquitted
/ themselves In very creditSble manner Miss
1 Elsie Haincs and Miss Norma SchIoss per-
| formed the same office for the Queen, and two
| charming pages they made. The Persian
dance before their NECESSITIES, the King and
Queen, was performed with the utmost ease,