Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-12-01
The Ruth Oratorio.

We had the pleasure of hearing and
enjoying this oratorio on Friday night
of last week 1t was rendered TO an au-
dience made up of that class of people
generally who would appreciate an en-
tertainment of this kind, and we cheer
fully say that it was one of the very best
and most enjoyable renditions OF the
kind we have ever been privileged TO
hear in Shepherdstown.
The Bible story OF Ruth was pictured
faithfully by a chorus of about 30 voices,
and with piano, violin, mandolin and
bass VOL Instrumentation. The ora
torio being rendered in act and costume,
the chorus and solos had to be sung from
memory, and this made the preparation
and rendition all the more difficult
There were six scenes. After an over
ture by Prof. Chas. Wolfensberger, OF
Hagerstown, on mandolin, with piano
accompaniment by Mrs. J. ID. Billmyer,
the director, Rev. G. H. Hockey, took
his position and the curtain rose on the
scene Of Israel in famine praying for de-
liverance, in mourning costumes OF black
and white This was followed by beau
tiful and effective scene of Naomi and
Ruth and Orpah in Moab bemoaning
their affection. Mrs. G. H. Hockey,
Mrs. NJ. Z. Spohn and Miss Sallie Miller
taking the characters respectively, pre-
sented the scene of Orpah's farewell,
Ruth's decision to return and Naomi S
advice with touching and realistic ef-
feet. The scene of sorrow in the wood
lands of Moab was suddenly turned to
iov in Bethlehem when plenty was re-
stored. Brilliant oriental costumes took
the place of mourning garb and the mu-
sic changed from minor TO major in
praise and gladness. Unexpectedly Ma
omi's return is announced by messenger,
MIR. W. X. Knott, who sang his part
well. Mr.. II. L. Snyder's solo was sung
in his characteristic strong, clear voice,
which was well received. The audience
is then led to follow Ruth into the har-
vest fields of Boaz. The harvest field
was as real as any that could be ar
ranged. 1t was magnificent scene.
The call to the harvesters by first reaper,
Mr.. Snyder, was responded TO by
chorus Of reapers, binders and cleaners,
who performed their part in the field
with remarkable reality, and the three
choruSes with bound sheaves, gleanings
from the field and sickles was beautiful
and true TO the spirit OF gladness at har-
vest time. BoaZ, sung by Mr.. Thos NJ.
Baker, of Charlestown, in his rich, deep
bass voice. suddenly appears in his fields
and is attracted to Ruth. The develop
ment Of the attachment was well brought
out The duets by Mrs. Hockey and
Mr. Snyder and Mrs. Spohn and Mr..
Baker were attractive and rich. The
scene closed with a most beautiful
tableau of angels guarding slumbering
Ruth and watching Boaz in the fields.
The audience is then transferred to
the palace of Boaz where Ruth is re-
ceived as wife, amid the festivities of
Israel. The chorus with timbrelS and
Gym balls, the excellent singing of Mr..
Baker, the well received solo Of Miss
Nellie Burlington, the invitation to re-
ioicing by Miss Urna Cummings in her
rich. cultivated voice, and of Miss
Blanch Byers with her strong clear So
prano, and Mr.. Snyders well received
tributes of praise and Mrs. Rockey's re-
Spouse, and the closing choruses of tri-
umph in the Lord made spirited and
magnificent ending of the evenings pro-
gramme.
In all, this was most successful and
well rendered performance anu Kew
Mr.. Hockey deserves great credit as di-
rector Of the whole We wish more OF
our citizens could have enjoyed this
oratorio 1t was true to the Bible and
the customs of the times, and was rem
dered without single failure in chorus
or solo. 1t would have had large hear
ing on Saturday night had it not been
for the inclement weather through the
day. One OF the attractive features of
the programme was the mandolin and
guitar solos rendered by Prof. Chas.
Wolfensberger, of Hagerstown. His ex-
quisite playing on these instruments
brought hearty applause. He showed
himself complete master of the mandO-
lin and guitar, and his selections were
greatly enjoyed. Mrs. j. ID. Billmyer
was the accompanies on the piano, and
her playing was faultless. There is no
better acCompaniSt in our town than
Mrs. BIllmyer, and in solos and Choruses
her work was all that could be desired.
Mr.. Melvin Jones played the bass viol.