The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1893-04-25
AN ARTISTIC PRODUCTION OF
TIE CANTATA.
A More Pleasing Entertainment
Was Never Witnessed
in this City.

uO>pllS4itN, well uiSA uldhCS ECpAA1'
ton for the losses we must feel in
being so far away from world-centers,
I Keenly do we realize our isolation
from the myriad opportunities Of cities
for broad culture, at the same time
artistic, dramatic, musical and intel
lectual-opportunities which we try to
replace in part by our amateur at
tempts. Of these many are ambitious,
and some are attended by a measure
of success, but for a long time there
has been no artistic and musical affair
more daringly attempted or more bril-
liantly executed than the cantata of
the 'sFIower Queen given Saturday
the girls of kawaiahaO. 1t was a great
event in the annals of the Seminary,
being the first operate music ever
attempted. For weeks and weeks it
had been anticipated, as early in the
school year Miss Burgess began the
daily drill which she so patiently and
thoroughly continued until suddenly
called home by sickness. She will be
greatly missed in our little musical
world, but it is most of all q matter Of
regret that she could not be here to
see so rich a realization of her hopes
and reap the well-merited reward Of
her labor. In her absence, Professor
Berger, ever a good friend of the
Seminary, has given his services for
the drill of the last few weeks, declin-
ing any remuneration. 1t is further
evidence of the genial musicians
goodness of heart that he willingly
forfeited 3 lucrative engagement at
the Opera House for the sake OF help
ing in this benefit. Miss kenwill has
done valiant service in obtaining solo
lists and helping whenever help was
needed.
The graceful costumes of the girls
representing wild flowers of every hue
were designed by the teachers, and
were made of the cheapest possible
cheese-clOth and cambria; they were
fashioned under the direction of Miss
Van Anglen and finished in the school
sewing-classes. Besides the gowns,
there were wreaths and festOOns and
bouquets of flowers to be made; but
these and the dresses were all in readi-
ness when the long-expected evening
had come at last.
Through some misunderstanding as
to the hour for beginning, the large au-
dience had its appetite well whetted by
the time of waiting, but its eyes could
well feast on the decorations before
them. The back OF the platform was
the verisimilitude of q green noun
tain wall with countless ferns clinging
10 every Granny, while at either side
were seeming entrances to leafy grot-
toes or distant glades surrounded with
the verdure OF palm and spreading
fern and waving jessamine. But all
was green. Miss Winter was far too |
wise to detract from the refresh |
ing GOODNESS OF the leafy bower 1
by any further touch of color. But |
by o'clock there was no lack of bril- |
liant hues against this soft back |
ground Of green, for from the leafy |
openings at the sides of the stage 4
poured in the ''ffOwers, the fair young
flowers that come at the voice OF
spring, and in graceful grouping
and pleasing harmony OF bright
eOlOrs, the eantata began in an out
burst OF girlish voices. The flowers
had met in a secluded dell to choose 4
queen and were interrupted by foot
steps, atwhich with some natural con-
'essiOn, they hied them to their forest
glade 10 wait in silence. There, in
pilgrims garb, came Mr.. Wakefield,
Is the recluse who was weary OF the
world, and sought repOse in the
messy cell far from strife and care. \
.emi-chOrus by the hidden flowers,
which he could at first scarce believe
Ne heard, babe him stay, and in a
EelI-rendered recitative he demanded
who they were. Then came the rose
md lily Flora Smith and Eliza Ke-
eaaJ who with timid modesty told
him that ne heard the music OF the
lowers from Natures artless min
itrels, and as they stepped aside, he
himself willing cap
i've to the flower spell, and gave
place to the flowers again. With
iutteEings and swayings the chorus !
dearly sang 'WhO shall be Queen"
md turned To look upon the first
.spirant, the crOeus, whom the audi
.nce recognized as Miss NOlte, and
greeted with applause. In her trail
ng role OF pale green with white
lowers about the neck and caught in
clusters on the front, she sWeetly set
OFth her claims as the first flower of
pring. The occasional Interruptions
" the full chorus, but setting for
Ter clear notes made this one Of the
most pleasing parts Of the even
ng. Before her claim could be
iecided, in came the dahlia, with
her beauteous bIoom,H = Miss
taller and slenderer for the
high pulled sleeves Of red above long
leeyes Of spangled white, and the long
robe of red lOOped up
,ver 3 skirt o. the same spaI gled
white. Her proud demand for queen
Y hOnOrs was met disdainfully, in
pite Of the melOoious tones in which
Ter claim was preferred
Two little girls, Helen Desha and
Abbie Kuhanu, as HeliOtrope and
came forward 10 proclaim
o the impeKious Dahlia that goodness
nd gentleness, with temper serene,
we're qualities for their Flower Queen.
The quiet ease Of the girls and the
blending Of their voices called forth a
ound Of applause from the ever in
ent audience, who then gave heed to
he plea Of the JapOniea. This was
Hiss Won Holt, who came forward in
oft hOFer-trimmed white, bearing a
- L