The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-02-10
MUSICAL GOSSIP.

The choir of the First Welsh Congre-
gational church. under the leadership
of William 7. Davies, is preparing n
rich feast for all lovers of music on
the 14th and 18th of February at
Mears' hall, West Side, when the can
tata. Saint Peter" will be rendered
The author of this book Is Dan
PrOtheroe. Mus. Bac. Tor). now of
Milwaukee. Wis, but formerly of this
city. This is the first opportunity
given his numerous friends to hear
this production. We have heard songs,
glees, and a fine mass that were writ
ten bv him many years ago, and the
pleasure We experienced when listen
Ing to these Is an omen of the delight
that awaits us the above evenings.
His old acquantances wit! be delighte!
to flock to the hall to hear this per-
formance. But apart from mere
friendship the merits of the COMPOST
tion should secure a full house both
evenings. 1t Is rot my intention To
sneak of this work as a critic were
able to do so. but rather to give 4
very brief analysis Of 1t, so as to help
the auditor to understand II. The
book has been rendered by large chOirs
in England, Wales and Canada, and
1t has been well received by audiences
and critics on both sides Of the ocean.
The libretto is founded on the twelfth
CHAPTER in the book Of Acts where it
is said that Herod the king stretched
forth his hands to vex certain of the
church. 1t is divided into three parts:
First part describing the condition
of the prosecuted Christians. and the
ovation given the king by the unbeliev-
ing Jews.
The second part is the prison scene.
where Peter is cast into it, and bound
with two. chains to the keepers. and
the angel appearing to release him.
The third part is the prayer meeting
scene where the Christians had as
sembled to pray for Peter, and Mary
with fear opening the door to welcome
| him. The book opens with a chorus
of Christians praying for protection,
| and while they offer their petitions an
| angels voice is heard singing. blessed
are all they that mourn and being
encouraged by the promise thev close
the chorus with great confidence. Then
comes "A fine duet song by James pa
rents, though mourning the loss Of
their son who was killed by order of
! tHe klIS, tHey say tndI l. mere Is an
other" left if need be, for a martyr.
In the third number the king is
greeted by a majestic chorus song by
the Jews. After this greeting the king
sings baritone solo. "Who Are This
Misguided Crew." and Offering his
service and authority to scatter the
remaining Christians-when the chorus
! reply that Peter was still free, he
| sings and orders the soldiers to inn
prison him, and the choir leads the
chorus by hailing and wishing him to
live for aye.
Then there is an instrumental part
OF fiftv-three measures Of music.
, Number six, one Of Peters children,
sings, why Father Tell U.s." why
they did not observe the Passover as
usual-then Peter sings in reply that
Christ and Him crucifed was their
Passover-and while he sings a band
of soldiers enter his home and one OF
them sings I'm Herod's Name" and
he is taken prisoner, and the whole
band Of soldiers sing male chorus. "Ii
once ne raised the lame" After Peter
is taken away, his wife sings "'Tis by
Night" and chorale is sung by the
Christians. Lord God Of Our Saliva
tion," and this ends the first part.
The second part opens with a malt
chorus sung by Roman soldiers
Grant to the Jews Their Own Stat
utess." Then Peter sings in prison
''The Cross" and the warders follow
with a duet. 'The Last Night" anc
after satisfying themselves that thei
prisoner was safe they 60 to sleep.
In the stiffness of night three angel
appear and sing a trio, I'VE Wht
Watched by Jesus" and another ange
who has come to release Peter sing
30 Peaceful Scene Enchanting,
awakens him and leads him to tn,
streets of the city and when he full,
realized what had happened he sings
Now I Know that God Almighty
and the whole chorus representing
Jews. soldiers. warders and inhabit
ants filled with CONSERVATION close tn
second act bv singing THE Fisher
man Hath Fled"
The third part opens with a choru
representing the Christians assemble,
. in Il prayer meeting. singing, 20 Re
deemer, Lord of Zion" When thi
chorus is through a knock is heard a
, the door and Mary's son sings Some
. body Is Neutrality-suspicious., the serv
ant girl, is sent to the door TO in
quire who is there-and Peter sing
; outside, and she returns to inform tn
Christians that Peter is at the dool
They incredulously sing Dear maide
thy wits are wandering" but she in
, sists that it is Peter; then they said
, is his spirit. At last Mary, the hos
, tess, interferes and sings. Whom
h. hn L lot nd 10
and to their great surprise they Sc
Peter and the whole meeting burs
, out rejoicing and sing Praise to Goo
, it's Peters SELF" and this Is mag
: ni.icent end to n fine work.
The choir is well trained-the solo
! lists are experienced singers. and tn
] whole will be assisted BY Miss Norm
Williams at the piano and Bauers or
chestra.
Henry p. Dreyer, who left Scranto
some time ago to further his studie
in music and singing at the New Enc
land Conservatory of Music. Bostor
Mass, Is meeting with much success.
MIR. Dreyer Is now teaching in tn
normal department Of that institu
tion. and is engaged as bass soloist 4
a prominent church In Franklin.
\ Il i
There are many good voices tina
never come into prominence, simpl
] because the pOssessors are not awar
of the fact, therefore do not have ther
cultivated" Alfred Wooler test
voices free Of charge at his studio, 81
Washington avenue.
Il \ \
Each child who enters the beginners