The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-01-30
Amateurs Score Decided Hit
With Second Production OF
Sacred Opera.
GOOD CROWD AT FISHERS
Great Credit Due Ladies OF
Pablic Library for Two
Nights of Rare Enter.
tainment.

After the second and last night Of
unalloyed success in the operate field
the members OF the cast Of "oueen
Esther" may now retire upon their
iaurels to common everyday life. know
ing that their work was well done, and
that the plaudits accorded them by the
appreciative audiences were richly de-
served.
The production OF the sacred opera
last night was In every way as sue
| cessful as the one preceding. The
audience was not quite as large as on
Thursday night, characteristic OF
second night performances, but the
house was nevertheless comfortably
filled, and the ringing applause that
greeted the work OF the soloists and
chorus. the breathless attention that
marked the passages where attention
was necessary for an understanding of
the plot OF the piece. proved that In
terest and enthusiasm had not died out.
albeit there were a few empty seats.
While the life of the opera centered
about the Vaccinations Of the unscrup-
ulous Haman, the work Of the young
ladies In the scarf drill, the airy and
fsntastic dances OF the pages, the light
vein OF comedy introduced by C. e.
Turner in the part Of the beggar, and |
the solos after the first act by Mr.
Hoyt, did not escape the attention OF
the audience for their great worth in
going to make up the general success,
It is seldom that local performer
Is accorded the outburst of applause
that greeted Mrs. Frank Spittle last
night, when, with unusual dramatic
fervor, as Zeresh, the wife Of Haman.
she directed that villainous person to
build gallows 50 cubits high for the
express purpose of executing thereon
the Jew. Mrs. Spittle won
the sympathy OF her hearers from the
start, so much so that It was doubt
less matter of general regret that her
rather questionable demands were not
literally carried out. Mrs. Spittle
certainly possesses extraordinary talent
or stage work. while her beautiful con-
ratio voice was in full accord with
Ter fascinating acting.
AS Haman. Mr.. Carnahan looked his
,art and acted and sang 1t to the full
of ALL He Is a favorite
With an Astoria audience, and In
Queen Esther" met with his usual
uccess.
Miss Kathryn Shively as the
rophetess, was a source Of genuine
elight, her superb acting, coupled
With her faultless vocal renditions, be-
Eg marked by a rapt attention that
vas only interrupted by heartfelt ap-
'lause. q
Miss Sue Elmore, In the part Of n
iordecai's sister, sang several solos 4
uring the progress Of the opera. Miss Il
,lmore was In every way fitted for the
baracter she portrayed, and left moth
1g undone In winning the good will :,
{ the people so fortunate as to hear =
er. c
James Johnson, as Mordecai, and 4
Ieorge Watkins. in the part of the b
ing, sang their solos exceedingly well.
ir. Watkins made a dignifed mon
rch, while Mr.. Johnson's pure tenor
dice and pleasing manner on the stage
fitted him for the part Of the
Jew.
Miss Hobson's success last night was
istinct, being repetition of her first
ppearance.
Not little Of the success of the per-
,rmances is due to Miss Eva Holmes,
ne accompanist. Miss Holmes has
ttended every rehearsal for the past
Tree weeks, and there was one every
ay for that period. She has worked :
nceasingly for the success Of the un-
and deserves the thanks Of
le public for her services.
The good attendance at both per- h
FINANCES of the opera will doubtless
It the library a substantial sum. The
dies and Mr.. Robinson have worked i
perfect harmony in preparing the d
ay for the public, and they, as well Il
the performers, deserve great credit 3
r the happy result Of their efforts to :
'ovide such rare entertainment.
|