The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-05-26
ESTHER. THE BEAUTIFUL QUEEN.

hb5t Night
a large and brilliant audience at
tended the grand spectacular presents.
tion OF Esther, the Beautiful Queen"
at the Academy Of Music last night.
Inc orasorio, under the direction of
dered by Roanoke ladies and gentle.
men, the personAtions being perfect in
al their details. while the solos and
cnoruses were sung In excellent style 10
hne orchestral accompaniment.
The orAtorio was divided into FIVE
acts. which required considerable time
In the rendition. but throughous the
whole evening the interest Of the
audience never Jagged, as was atsested
oy the frequent applause and several
encores. The entire cast embraced
seVenty-hve persons, all in full cos.
tune OF the Jews and Persians under
the reign of King Ahasuerus, and not a
single jar occurred throughout the pre-
sentation, thue evidencing the skill of
the director and the excellence of the
individual selections made.
Inc chief personations were twenty.
two In number, and besides there were
choruses OF Persians and Jews and a
semi-chorus Of boys and girls. making
In the bright and unique costumes under
the inspiring music, 3 scene Of brilliancy
and beauty long to be remem bered.
The presentations were RS follows:
Queen Esther, Mrs. O. A. McHuqb: King
Ahssuerus, DR.. E. L. Downs; Zeresh,
Mrs. John f. James; Hannah, j. P.
Fiippo; Mordecai, w. e. Burnett; Nor
decrs sister, Miss Edna Ryalls; first
maid OF honor. Miss Lille Bass; second
maid OF honor, Miss Mabel Joel; Hegai,
Prof. O. K Kregloe; high priest, Walton
Nelson, scribe, w. 1. Lyman; proph-
etess, Mrs. d. H. Manson; Jewish
maiden. Mrs. W. j, Wright; Zeresh at
tendsnts, soprano, Miss Minnie Lam
bert, alto, Mrs. G. E. Kregloe; Harbo-
nah, j: M. Williams; herald, William
Terrell; guards, Messrs Neal. NAV.
Hume and Watson.
The leader of the chorus WAS p. E.
Johns. Mrs. D. w. Meadows was the
pianist, and the organist was Mrs. S. j.
hinnier, who in their respective parte
rendered their full share OF making the
entertainment the grand success that
IL was.
While all rendered we'll their parts
and made such an array Of beauty and
musical talent az has seldom been as
sembled together at one time IN this
city, 1t will not be amiss to mention
some OF the special features of the oc-
casion.
AS Esther the Beautiful Queen"
Mrs. McHugh was sll that the character
required. Her singing was frequently
applauded, and she was the recipient of
hearty encore.
AS Zsrish, wife of Hannah, Mrs. james
filled the role in q manner that excited
deep interest and sympathy, and which
also ELECTED nuch applause Little
Willie Hart, as her daughter In the az
fecting parting scene, displayed high
histrionic talent for one so young.
Mr.. Hippo. as Hannah, was very nat
ural and in the solos with King Alias
uerus, both he and DR.. Johns displayed
their fine voices to much advantage.
As Mordecai. Mr. Burnett completely
7. captured the audience, and in the solos
the richness and culture Of his voice
was greatly admired.
AS Mordeca's sister Miss Edna Ryalls
scored triumph in the beginning, AMI,
besides receiving much applause, her
singing called forth an enthusiastic en-
core.
The singing OF Miss Bass, frst maid
OF honor. and Miss Mabel Joel, second
maid OF honor, was much admired. The
latter sung Annie Laurie" between
the 6rst and second scenes In the fourth
act 80 acceptsbly that the audience
would not rest until she had repeated it.
Mrs. Matson's singing in the role OF
Prophecies, was highly appreciated by
the audience.
Mrs. Wright as q Jewish maiden,
sang a solo that was finely rendered and
called forth great applause.
Mrs. Kregloe as attendant of Zeresh,
In the solos, In which she participated,
displayed her rich al.o voice to great
advantage and received much applause,
as did also Miss Lambert.
The oratorio will be repeated o-night
and should be largely attended. 1t is
seldom that music lovers in Roanoke
have an opportunity to enjoy such rare
treat. and they should not fail to take
advantage OF she one that will be thus
afforded them.