The Hawaiian gazette., 1893-04-25
AN ARTISTIC PRODUCTION Of
THB CANTATA.
A More Pleasing Entertainment
Was Never Witnessed
in this City.

hospitality, well nigh makes repara'
ton for the losses we must feel in
being so far away from world-centerS,
Keenly do we realize our isolation
from the myrisd opportunities Of cities
! for broad culture, ST the same time
artistic, dramatic, musical and intel
I lectusl-opportunitieS which we try 10
replace in part by our amateur at
I tempts. 0f these many are ambitious,
ani some are attended by measure
OF success, but for long time there
has been no artistic and musical affair
more d2ringly attempted or more bril-
/ liautly executed than the cantAta OF
the "Flower Queen, - given Saturday
evening in the Old Stone Church by
the girls OF haw2iahSo. II WAS 4 great
event in the annals Of the Seminary,
being the first operatic music ever
attempted. For weeks and weeks il
had been anticipated, IS 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 il Is most OF all 5 matter of
regret that she could not be here 10
see 50 rich = realization of her hopes
sud reap the well-merited reward OF
her labor. In her absence, Professor
Berger, ever good friend OF the
Seminary, has given his services for
the drill OF the last few weeks, decliu-
ing any remuneration Ii Is g further
evidence OF the genial musicians
goodness Of heart that he willingly
forfeited i lucrative engagement ar
the Opera House for the sake OF help
ing in this benefit. Miss henwiIl 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
cheesecloth and cambria; they were
fashioned under the direction of Miss
Van Auglen ana finished in the school
sewing-classes. Besides the gowns,
there were wreaths and iestOons and
bouquets OF flowers 70 be made; but
these and the dresses were all in readi-
ness when the lOng-eNpected evening
had come at lGst.
Through some misunderstanding as
70 the hour for beginning, the large au-
dience had its appetite well whetted by
the time OF waiting, but Its eyes could |
we'll feast on the decorations before |
them. The back OF the platform was |
the yerisimilitude OF 8 green noun |
tain wall with countless ferns elinging /
% every granny, while at either side /
were seeming entrances TO leafy grOt- /
toes or distant glzdes surrounded with /
the verdure OF palm and spreading 1
fern and waving jessamine. But all 4
was green. Miss Winter was far too I
wise 10 detracl from the refresh
Ing GOODNESS OF the leafy bower
by any further touch Of color. But
Oy : 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
poured in the flowers, the fair young
flowers that come dC the voice OF
spring and ii graceful grouping
and pleasing harmony OF bright
,olOrs- the cautata began in an out
burst Of gIFlish voices. The flowers
had met in s secluded dell to choose 4 !
queen and were interrupted by foot
steps at which with some natural con-
.essiOn, they hied them to their forest
glade 70 wait in silence There, in
pilgrims garU, came Mr.. Wakefield,
4 the recluse who was weary Of the
world, and sought repOse in the
messy cell far from strife and care. 4
;emi-chOrus by the hidden flowers,
which he could 81 first scarce believe
IL heard, babe him stay and in a
recitative he demanded |
who they were Then came the rose
md lily Flora Smith and Eliza Ke-
eaa] who with timid modesty told !
him that ne heard the music OF the
lowers from Natures artless min
Itrels, and IS they stepped aside, he
himself q willing cap
i've 70 the flower spell, and gave
place to the flowers again. With
iutteEings and sEayings the chorus
dearly sang @WhO shall be Queen" ,
md turned 10 look upon the first
lspirant, the cTOcus, whom the audi
.nes recognized as Miss NOlIe, and
yrested with applause. In her trail
NJ role o. pale green with white
lowers about the neck and caught in
busters on the front, she sWeetly set
Ogth her claims as the first flower Of
pring. The occasional Interruptions
Jy the full chorus, bat setting for
Ter clear notes made this one Of the
most pleasing parts Of the even
NJ. Before her claim could be
ieeided, in came the dahlia, with :
her Oezuteous bloom" - Miss ,
Rhodes, taller and slenderer for the
ligh pulled sleeves Of red above long
leeye Of spaugied white, and the long
IAhIis-tEimmed robe Of red loOped up
yer Z skirt o. the same spzI gled
white Her proud demand for queen
: hOnOFs was met disdainfully, in
pite Of the meIOdiOus tones in which
Ter claim was preferred
Two little girls, Helen Desha and
Abbie Kuhznu, as HeliOtHope and
came forward 70 proclaim
o the impeKious DahIIz that gOOdnez
nd gentlenesz, with temper serene,
we're qualities for their Flower Queen.
he quiet ease Of the girls and the
lending 81 their voices called forth a
ound Ct applause from the ever in
ent audience, who then gave heed 70
be plea Of the Jsponica. This was
lis Won Holt, who came forward in
ofs fOEer-tTimmed white, bearing q