Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1906-03-08
BELSHAZzAR' SFEAST
SACRED OPERA TONIGHT And TO.
MORROW night
In the Congregational Church. A
Musical and Spectacular Treat.
SeVenfy-fiVe Voices in ChOruSe S.
Synopsis Of the Opera and Cast
of The Characters.

In me Congregational church this
evening and tomorrow evening the
sacred opera Of "The Feast Of Be!shaz.
Ear" will be sung by local talent. under
the direction OF NJ. +. Robinson, who SO
successfully produced the opera "Queen
Esther here couple of years ago.
The following is synopsis OF the
opera:
ACT I.-The Feast OF Belshazzar in
thc banquet haii If the palace. The en-
fire cOur' making merry.
Babylonians assemble to sing the
praises of Beshazzar, to extol the mag
nficence Of the Babylonian empire and
to render homage to the gods OF the
Bahylonans.
Be'shazzar commands the attendants
to bring the sacred vessels, taken from
the Temple at Jerusalem by Nebuchad.
nezzar, in order to show his contempt
for the God Of Israel. In tine midst OF
this sacrilgious feast the handwriting
appears upon the wall, and the courtiers
are overcome with CONSERVATION. Bel.
shazzar orders the magicians and wise
men to be brought before him to inter
pret the writing, but this they are un-
able to do.
ACT lI.-Jewish Quarters in Baby
Ion. The Jews had been held in cap.
tivty since the reign of Nebuchadnezz II
and were looking earnestly for the day OF
their delivsrance. This scene represents
them at their devotlons. Daniel had
been Il iavorite with Nebuchadntzzar but
had been forgotten by Belshazzar. Their
devotions are interrupted by llananiah,
companion of Daniel and watchman
with him in one OF the towers surmount-
ing the city walls, calling their attention
to the assembling OF the hosts OF Cyrus,
king OF Persia, to lay siege to the city
and thus effect their deliverance.
Queen Nitocris, mother of Belshazzar,
is represented in history as good and
amiable though OF heather nation and
as looking with displeasure upon the
scenes OF revelry by which she is sur
rounded.
ACT IIl.-Same as Act /. BeshaAzar
is greatly troubled over the appearance
OF the handwriting, and threatens the
magicians and wise men that unless they
show him the Interpretation they shall
be put to death. They again protest
that they are unable to read the message
and call loudly upon their god, Baal, for
hep.
At the suggestion OF the queen. the
l)ng forgotten Daniel is brought before
the king and interprets the writing to
mean the downfall Of the great Baby.
lonian empire and the death OF Belshaz
Ear, The king is temporarily overcome
with fear, but still defying Jehovah,
turns again to his revelry.
ACT IN.-Camp OF Cyrus. The army
OF Cyrus is encamped about the city OF
Babylon. The soldiers are aroused by
an angel OF the Lord, calling them TO
arms, as a means of access had been
found under the walls OF the city. The
besiegng army, on entering the city, find
the Babylonan soldiers go overcome
with wine and exhausted by their revel
ry that a victory over them was easily
obtained, and the great king Belshazzar
was slain by his enemy, Cyrus, king of
Persia.
ACT N.-The Queens apartments in
the Palace. The queen, overwhelmed
by the caamities that have overtaken
her nation, turns to God and seeks His
mercy and forgiveness. Daniel assures
her OF Gods righteousness, whercupon
the queen calls upon the Jewish people
to rejoice because OF their deliverance.
All "Magniiy, glorify, extol and exalt
the Lord