The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-01-29
Production Of Queen Esther by
Home Talent Surpasses
All Expectations.
IMMENSE CROWD IS PRESENT
individuals Aquit Themselves
With Much Credit and the
Chorus Is Best Ever
Heard Here.

to press representative a few even
ings ago that the dress rehearsal FOR
the cantata Queen Esther" was the
most successful he had ever witnessed
by an amateur company. skeptical
public perhaps concluded that the d.
rector was just trihe over-enthus-
iastic. His statement was. however,
fully borne out last night when an Inn
mense throng assembled at Fishers to
hear the famous sacred opera sung.
There was an enjoyable absence of chill
dren, and the applause came from APP
preciative adults. When the curtain
was raised on the first scene the the
ater was packed to the doors with
one OF the most fashionable audiences
that ever gathered in the city.
Never before has local talent ac-
quilted itself so well. other perform
ances OF like nature have been pro-
nounced successful, but as compared
with last nights production--the most
difficult ever undertaken by Astoria
neutrality-suspicious. efforts fade into
insignihcance. There was not the
slightest hitch to embarass either per-
formers or spectators. and the big
crowd was treated to a surprise that
It was wholly unprepared for, however
sanguine II might have been.
To attempt to do justice to all Of the
ladies and gentlemen participating
would be impossible In the limited
space available. Each faultlessly per-
formed his part, and throughout the
careful training of Director Robinson
was manifest. The great chorus OF
70 voices rendered the difficult music
In mastery style, attestlng the ability
of the director and the application OF
the singers. The costumes were gor-
geous and the stage presented bril-
liant spectacle.
To Miss Reba Hobson. not alone be-
cause of her magnificent voice,
but as well because Of her
graceful Interpretation of The role
of Queen Esther. the honors Of
the night were due. Miss Hobson's
solos were vociferously encored. and
her queenly part was charmingly sus-
tanned.
Mrs. Frank Spittle. as Zeresh. Ha-
mans wife: Miss Sue Gilmore, as Nor
decars sister; Miss Kathryn Shively' as
the prophecies; Mrs. B. Van Dusen, as
the Median princess, and Miss Laura
H. Fox, as the Persian princess, richly
deserved the appreciativef applause
which followed their solos. Frank
splendid voice was heard
to good advantage in the part Of Ha-
man, the designing premier, while
James Johnson's tenor pleased the
audience in the part Of Mordecal, the
Jew. George c. Watkins made an ex-
cellent King Ahasuerus, and G. e,
Turner's solo, in the part OF the beg
gar, proved genuine surprise. This
was Mr.. Turner's first appearance
locally and he played his part well.
F. Chester Fox appeared as chaplain
Of the kings guards, DR.. T. L. Ball
as Hegai, J. N. Griffin as the high
priest and William Lindau as the kings
scribe. Little Miss Adah Julian played
the part of Ida, Haman's child.
Notable among the features Of the
performance was the scarf dance, by
Misses Carol Poung, Mary Nowlen,
MolIie Pomeroy, Helen Brooks, Ethel
Ierding, Alma Holmes and Amy Ran
1ells. Another pleasing feature was
he singing Of the quartette Of queens
maids, Misses Margaret Busey, Alice
Wood, May Utzinger and Nell Utzin-
ger.
Miss Eva Holmes officiated as ac-
,ompanist.
The chorus was made up OF the fol-
owing voices:
Soprano -Mrs. c. B. Allen, sue Ell
nore, Mrs. A. A. Finch, Annie Lar
ION. Mrs. J. II. o'Connell Amy Ran
lells, Mrs. d. M. Stuart, Mrs. e. f.
rhayer, Mrs. B. Van Dusen, Ethel
3linn, Bertha Tanning, Mrs. H. G.
harrison, May C. Magee, Mrs. Herman
'rael Bess Reed, Emma shedd, Flor
nee Turner, Alice Wood, Lulu Estes,
Irs. Clyde Fulton, Reba Hobson, Mary
Jowlen, Mrs. W. r. Pomeroy, Kath-
yn shively, Bertha Stephenson, May
Jtzinger, Mrs. c. P. Ziegler.
Alto Nellie Barker, Mrs. W. W.
Elizabeth Busey, Lena Fast
bend, Adah Julian, Lottie Peterson,