The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-15
.CANTATA OF ''RUTH''
Residents of Shrewsbury Enjoy
An Artistic Treat of Re-
fined Music
MANY WORCESTER
PEOPLE IN THE CAST
Simple Bible Story Set to Soft
Airs Charms All Those Who
Heard 1t

Shrewsbury, Dec. 14.-One of the
greatest events that ever took place
IN Shrewsbury in the way of an enter
talnment was the productionof Ruth. y
sacred cantata for soil and chorus,
IN the Congregational church this eve
ming, under the auspices Of the Mems
League
The music is by Alfred r. Gaul and
is very beautiful and pleasing. The
words are arranged by Edward Oxen
ford: The story of Ruth, as given in
the Bible, is familiar.
The cantata is divided into two parts,
the first Sorrow, a scene in the coun-
try of Moab, on the road to Bethlehem.
The second part. Joy" scene in the
harvest field at the abode of Naomi.
The third scene is the gate of Bethle-
hem.
The soloist parts were: Ruth ESQ
prano), by Mrs. Ada L. Harrington;
Naomi (contralto), Miss Grace B. Bur
nap; Orpah (contralto), Miss Bertha j.
Griswold; Boaz (bass). Chester T.
Porter.
AAA - IloL III Is IOllt hlSS AIIlSWOlQ anu
Mr.. Porter of Worcester are singers of
such renown that no comment is me-
cessary on the excellence Of their work.
Miss Burnap is from Everett, Mass.
and is singer of great power of voice.
She proved a favorite The most pleas
ing airs in the cantata were NOV go
your ways, my daughter anG 90
Gracious Lord" by Naomi: chorus,
They lifted up their voice and wept''
the trios, Farewell" by Naomi; Cor
phali," Ruth; chorus of reapers-air
Let me HE unto the fields" by Ruth.
The conductor, Robert L. Schofield of
Minnesota, a brother-in-law of the
pastor. Rev. e. A. Lathrop, has been
indefat-gable in training the chorus
which consisted of thirty voices Miss
Nettie Lucie Green acted as pianist
during the entire concert, and has also
played for all the rehearsals. Walter
L. Shumway of Worcester presided &C.
ceptably at the organ. Preceding the
cantata the following short program
was given:
Prelude, lie Cygne," Saint saens;
melody in F, op. 8, No. 1, Rubenstein
Miss Green, Mr.. Shumway; solo, Miss
Griswold solo, Honor and arms, .
Handel, by Mr.. Porter; trio for piano
organ, violin, Meditation" Mietzke
by Miss Green, Messrs. Shumway and
Schofield. The members of the chorus
We're: Soprano, Misses George E
Bailey, Jennie C. Chase, Anna S. Howe
Josephine z. Howe, Charlotte e
Lathrop, Maud I. Paige. Mrs. E. l.
Knowlton, Mrs. w. H Pratt, Mrs. G.
F. Pharaoh, Mrs. f. ]. Reed; alto, Mrs
W. H. Bartlett, Mrs. W. E. Knowlton
Mrs. F. C. Pratt, Misses Addie E. Howe
Florence A Morey; tenor, Messrs. ]. F
Knight, f. L. Knowlton, w. E. Knowl.
ton F. c. Pratt, C. F. Pharaoh, F. j
Reed bass, Messrs, w. H. Bartlett
Dr. W. H. Bliss DR.. e. L. Chase, F. M
Haas, Rev. E. A. Lathrop, F. K. Nc
Kenzie, w H. Pratt, V. G. Pratt.
The committee in charge deserve
great credit for their efforts; they were
w. E. Knowlton, w. H. Bartlett, E. A
Lathrop. There were about 400 people
present. The ushers were C. o. Green
Harry Pratt, and T. Fra4k Pratt The
chorus occupied seats arranged in front
of the organ on the pulpit platform
The church was decorated with cut
flowers and ported plants. A large
sum was Melted.
The securing and setting depart
ments in C. o. Green & Co.'S factory
was shut down this morning and yes
terday afternoon on account of neces-
sary repairs to the machines.