The Forrest City times., 1892-07-08
1lArY NOTES
The Cantata Of Ruth.

song, and q pleasing and proper climax to the unusual enjoyment and festwl- ties of the glorious fourth, was the pre- sentation of the beautiful cantata of Ruth, by Forrest City talent, at the new operahouse, for the benefit of the Baptist church. And for this evening of genuine pleasure the public is indebted to the untiring energy of Mrs. B. T. Manning, under whose able and pains taking directorship, and personal snper- vision, the cantata was put upon the boards. Ii is an honor, tof which For rest City is, and may justly feel proud) to have this noble woman, this disln- terested spirit, among us. To her en- thusiasm, perhaps, more than to any other one source, is traceable the satis- factory and brilliant success of the per formance. THE TIMES extends to her it's warmest congratulations, and can wish her no brighter good luck" than that all her future undertakings of whatsoever kind, may prove as success full and satisfactory as the cantata Of Ruth.
 There is, perhaps, no more beautiful story in the Bible than that of Ruth, and since it has been dramatized its rendition rarely fails to awaken the in- terest and win the admiration of the people. The interest was manifested by the audience which sat before the | curtain Monday night. In numbers 1t | exceeded by several scores any gather | ing, for similar purpose, which it has been the fortune of the profession to attract In intelligence, beauty, dress and grace, there has never been d more gratify ing response to the efforts of l m nrnfnlsInsl1t 'lha Rntlrp house was filled, and many turned away for want of seats. The "admira- tionn was demonstrated by frequent | applause and the evident close atten- tion to every word and detail.
 "The cantata of Ruth" is not an or dinary undertaking for people unused | to the stage and its necessary dress and performance. But when the word went ont that this cantata should be produced on the night of July 1, 1892, the characters having been assigned judiciouSiy, the entire cast went to 1 work in earnest, and each participant devoted much time and careful study | to the preparation of his or her part. The result could not have been other wise than gratifying, because all earn est efforts i'll the right direction will surely find success.
 The choruses were full of harmony and the participants deserve much praise for the melodious blending of their notes. Miss Victoria Lloyd, who has a sweet voice, assisted by Misses Bessie Cason, Mary Winthrop, Minnie Rollwage, Katie IZard and Joy Prewett led the soprano, and Mrs. E. D Hatcher and Miss Mary Izard stood foI larger number of persons in bringing out the alte, and they were quite sue cesSful, there being an abundance of sweet melody in their voices. Mrs Hatcher's strong, deep and mellow voice is the admiration of all who have heard her sing. The success Of the chorus was more or less attributable tC the leadership of Miss Lloyd and Mrs Hatcher, both of the Methodist church They were untiring in their desire tC make success of the performance The basseS were MeSSrs. w. F. Horney and k. G. Bradfeld, while the tenors were distributed among the cast These gentlemen gave a foundation t6 the music which greatly contributed tc it's harmony and beauty.
 In their oriental costumes, the singers presented very interesting picture, and when the curtain went down or l it was the best drilled and best exc. cuted chorus which has ever been put on our stage. In this scene MT. J. M prewett, as a messenger" sang that characteristic recitative solo, "Lo There Comes to Mine Ear" etc., in a manner which demonstrated his ability to overcome a difficult part, and sing it most eXcellently.
 Miss Tommie Davis, also in this scene, saug very beautiful solo, "The Lord hath Fed Elijah,n etc., and her sweet mezzo-soprano was greatly ad. mired by her hearers.
 Scene second opened with Miss An nie Pearson as Naomi, Mrs. w. II Pope as Orpah, and Mrs. W. J. Prude as Ruth, in Moab bemoaning their af- fliction. The entire scene is most in teresting and the music delightful. It was sad, 'tis true, but very interesting and impressive when, as Naomi, Miss Armies powerful soprano rang through the hall, in her beautiful solo, "The Lord hath so Stricken Ae"a and through out the performance, as in her first solo, Miss Annie delighted the audience with her sweet voice, and perfect ease in the character she assumed. She has long been doing service as the soprano in the Baptist choir, and those who know her were pleased to notice that she never before sang with so much J genuine feeling, and perfect ease. She was in excellent voice, and the part