The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1905-04-29
MANY ATTENDED.
The Two Productions Of Belshazzar-
The Singers and Their Songs.

The Singers and Their Songs.
The opera of Be1shazzar was pro-
duced at the Opera House Wednes-
day and Thursday nights to big
audiences by local talent directed
by Martin E. Robinson. From a
spectacular standpoint and color eff
fects the playis far ahead of the
well known Queen Esther, although
the music is of a heavier order and
consequently not so popular with
the general public. However, the
audience was well pleased and show
ed it by hearty applause of the spe-
ciaI features. Not only was the
singing of the choruses well done
but every one of the special parts
was well received. Ali were equal
ly deserving of praise but there
were few striking parts in which
the impersonator could give full
and complete expression of the abil-
ity he or she possessed. J. R. Pruett.
the king, sang his lines in good
voice, and acted well the part OF
the disso1ute ruler.
Miss Lulu Spang1er was a sweet
and gracious queen, and sang her
solos in a charming manner, espec-
tally in the last act was her voice
heard to the best advantage, and
her long and difficult solo of rojoic-
ing at the deliverance of the Jews,
was very effective and elected
hearty applause.
Otto F. L. Herse appeared at his
best in the part of Daniel, the pro
phet, and his sweet tenor voice was
well adapted to the part. The
first night he was suffering from a
severe cold, but Thursday night,
his voice was fine and his rendi-
tions of the interpretative solos was
magnificent.
Miss Eva Myers who sang the
solo Of Jewish Maiden, possesses a
rich alto voice and her part was es-
pecia1ly effective with the vocal &C
compartment.
The Lady Of the Court was well
sustained by Mrs. NJ. S. Bush and
her solo and duet with the queen
was one of the vocal gems of the ev-
ening. J. Fred Yates appeared as
Hananiah, a companion of Daniel
and his solos were well sung and
the male quartet was one of the
best numbers. Mr.. Yates also took
the part Of Cyrus, the conquering
King.
Collie F. Cathey was a typical
High Priest of Baal, and his rich
bass voice was well adapted to the
part while his acting showed care
ful stndy of the chafacter.
One of the prettiest scenes in the
opera is the act in which the angel
has a fine solo, and it was render
ed in a most acceptable manner by
Mrs. E. R. Lake, whose clear high
saprano voice is well adapted to the
part.
Misses F1oy Johnson and Ger
! trude McBee made very pretty Jew
ish maidens and sang their duet
very sweetly, The Jewish Quin-
tet sung by Mrs. G. E. Peterson,
Mrs, Bryson, M. S. Bush, Percy
Clark and o. J. Blackledge was one
of the best concerted numbers.
The pages, Helen Lewis, Grace
Wilson, Gertrude Nolan and Ber-
tha Wilson, had no star parts but
did their little cy1nbal dance in a
fine manner. The prettiest special
feature was the posing drill by sew
en- young ladies, Mary Danneman.
Pauline Davis. Mary Co1vig, Gladys
Moore, Faye Hill, Gertrude McBee
and Edna Allen, and their bright
costumes and graceful movements
made it picture of grace itself.
Mrs. Inez Wilson deserves great
credit for her beautiful work in the
preparation of the opera.
Mr.. Robinson's part in the pre-
paration of the opera was so accept
able that he has been invited to re-
to Corvallis in the autumn to pro-
duce the Mikado, and it is possible
that the invitation will be accepted.
He is thorough musician, and a
very pleasant gentleman, witha1.
He left yesterday for Vancouver.