The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1896-04-10
Queen Esther.

On Thursday and Friday evenings, April
10th and 18th. the beautiful and instruc-
tive cantata, Queen Esther" will be pro-
duced in the Ebensburg Opera House by
some of the best musical talent of Ebens-
burg.
The presentations of the cantata are as
follows:
Queen Esther Mrs. C. w. Jones'
King Ahasuerus Rev. r. 5; Jones.
Haman Prof. L. l.. Gibson.
Mordecai Supt. j. w. Leech.
Zerish Mrs. j w. Leech
Mor6ecai Sister Miss Louis McNamara.
Prophecies Mrs. J. w; Leech.
Scribe Harry Mcnamara
Guards d. . DoislnRer
High Priest b. f. James
Chorus of Jews. chorus of Persians,
queens attendants, pages OF king and
queen and semi-chorus of children. In all
about fifty persons, who have had thorough
instruction in the music and performance
by Prof. T. l.. Gibson, Supt. J. W. Leech
and Mrs. T. l.. Mcnamara.
The costumes to be worn by the cbarac
terS of the cantata are according To those
worn by Jews and Persians in Esther's
day. The costumes for the leading per-
sonations having been rented from firm
in Philadelphia, are most elegant and ex-
act
The history of the cantata belongs to
that period when the Jews, in exile from
their own land, We're scattered over the
countries of the far East; and the particu-
lar spot in which the plot of the book of
Esther is laid Is Shusan, the capital of the
kingdom of Persia.
The cantata begins at the point where
Haman, the kings chief minister. being
offended by the conduct of Mordecai, who
does not pay him due respect, forms the
design of eXterminating the Jews, and OBJ
tainS decree authorizing their destruc
tion on a certain day. The day is fixed by
Haman through the casting of lots. Nor
decai, Informed of the impending massa-
ere, requires Esther to intercede for her
people; and Esther, though aware that she
does so at the peril of her life, consents.
Her plan is TO bring the king and Haman
together, to denOunce him as having
sought her life, and so to obtain his dis
grace she invites the two TO a banquet,
where she has obtained favor from the
king. Then TO a second banquet.
Haman, now exalted by what he calls his
good fortune, resolves to anticipate the
decree, far as Mordeca is concerned
and to put him to death at once. He con-
StructS a gallows, in the court of his own
house, for this purpose and proposes to
hang Mordecai thereon before the second
banquet.
But that night the king, having ordered
his attendants to read To him out of the
Book of the Chronicles. has been reminded
of Mordecoi'S discovery of the conspiracy
against his life. and having asked what
reward he has received has been told that
nothing had been done for him." Upon
this he has Haman summoned and compelS
him to be the instrument of doing Nor
decai the highest possible honor.
The banquet follows; Esther denounces
Haman; the king, angry, but in doubt,
quits the apartment; Haman, eagerly
implOring ESther's intercession; the king
returns, orders him off to instant eXecu-
tion. He is conducted to his own house
and hanged on the galIows on which he
had intended 70 hand Mordecai.
The chart for reserved seats may be
found at f. James drug store on Tuesday
morning, April 18th. Fifty cents aGmis-
sion for all persons. Secure yonr reserved
seats early. Proceeds for the benefit of the
Presbyterian church.