The Forrest City times., 1896-04-24
Jepn,hah and His Daughter.

In agreeable conformance to ouf promise of last week, we undertake 10 convey to our readers, who did not see and hear the above named cantata, some idea of the production as pertains to both the musical poem and reditioa Ivy tile talent of our city. Those fss- miliar with the Bible remember that is is in Judges that the story of Jephthah IS told. Disgraced and disowned, Jeph- thah was driven from lis home into the land of Fob. Sorely vexed for want of leader the lsraelites called on Jeph- thah, who agreed to lead them in bat tie against the children of Ammon. Just before going to battle. rephthah made VOW that if victorious, he would sacrifice as burnt offering, whatever first came from the doors of Iris house to meet him. He was vic torious. Returning, his daughter ana only child, who is given the name of lphigenia in the cantata. was the 1first to go forth to meet him. Some contend that she wrs saved from sacrifice, but the cattata conforms to the logical ref erence drawn from the bible. and closes with the death of Iphigenia. Dewitt Davis sang and played the part of Jephthah. and to those who are acquainted with the vocal talent and musical ability of Mir. Davis, it is unnecessary for us to say that his part was so well rendered that improvement would be difficult.
 The part of Jepifthah's daughter. | 1phigenla, was sung by Miss Minnie Rollwage. Miss Rollwage has very rich and well cultivated voice, and she sung and acted her part with charac- teristic excellence
 When we say that l.. Rollwage rep resented tue Prophet, we have said that it was we'll done. Probably no bass singer in this part of the state has voice as deep and cultured. Oh the dramatic stage, he is no stranger, on the musical stage, he is at home. | Miss Iommie Davis, as NaOmi, a Jewish maiden, sought her brother, Eloni--a part taken by David Davis--oh the battlefield at night. This scene vas well rendered and Miss Davis did iR- coming credit to herself. She ant David sang q mournful duet--the dY- ing song of Eioni. Miss Davis has Q Very sweet voice and saus her part wei az did David. who. by the way, is ]. brother of DeWitt Davis. a | Jewish princes and Harry Knight, as a | but they acquitted themselves credit } ably. Ernest Paslay and Rufus Fon- . dren made good camp guards. Captain lirady and his company of Jewish soldiers did exceedingly well. To the uninitiated 1t would seem ah easy matter to go through the move ments on the stage, but when they come to execute them on so small at area and before critical audience, they find it extremely difficult.
 Miss Mary izard as the friend of Iphigenia, and as one of the tripping maidens, elicted favorable comment.
 At Jephthah's first appearance, | highly appreciated solo was sung by Miss Annie Pearson in her usually su- perior manner Beyond this single instap ce Miss Pearson had no oppOr- tunity of individual appearance. but she participated in the chorus to con- siderable advantage. Miss Clara Webb had d prominent part in the vocal renditions during the time that the tripping maidens" were or the stage. and .she sang her li'ies very crpditably. a l One of tine most pleasing features of 1 the evenings entertainment. and eS- pecially attractive to the eye, was the appearance oi eight of Forrest City's most beautiful young ladies in pur6 white costumes with tafnbourines aA tripping maidens.n Theso young ladies were Misses Minnie Rollwage, l Mary Izard, Tommie Davis. Clara 1 Webb. Katie fzard. Joy Prewett, Alva Taylor and Katie Rollwaee.
 Mesdames Tudie Prude, E. T. Gray and Jennie Pope were valuable acqui- sitions to the chorus, which was excel lent,
 The net proceeds derived from tho eatertainm ment amonnted 10 small surn over $50.
 To Mrs. Beuiah Manning too much credit for the artistic and financial snc- cess of the production, cannot be given. l No person, who has never undertaken the task, can estimate the work re- qnired in experimenting and fitting for faithful rendition musical or dra- matic entertainment.
 The cantata WAS reproduced Tues day evening at Wynne, for the benefit of the Baptist church at that place. Our peorla are profuse in expressions of thanks for kind treatment received at the hands of the citizens of WynHe. 1 A very indictment night did not pre- vent very good audience rom atteDd- ing. and nothing could keep them from enjoying the production If 'Jepht hah and His Danghtt .n
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