The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-10
They ARE READY
Queen Esther at Auditorium
Next Tuesday.
Chorus of One Hundred and
Sixty Voices.
TELL A PRETTY STORY
Biblical History Furnis hes the
Interesting Theme.
Full Rehearsal Will Be Held
Tonight.
TELL A PRETTY STORY

The revival of the beautiful cantata,
queen Esther, by the Modoc cIup, with
splendid chorus of one hundred and
hfty voices, under the direction of M.
Z. Holman, Tuesday evening, June 16,
at the Auditorium. for the benefit of
the pipe organ fund, makes 1t not out
OF place to recall the Biblical story ON
which this cantata is founded.
Esther was born in Persia 500 years
De1ore Christ. Being an orphan from
INFANCY she was adopted by her uncle,
natural beauty, trained her in the ac-
complishments of highest womanhood
She was chosen by the king of the
realm to be his wife and queen. She
did not disclose her nationality. da-
man was premier and favorite of the
king. Haman hated Mordecai because
he would not worship him as the king
had commanded. He did nor know
Mordecai's relation to the queen. To
be revenged he obtained a decree for
destroying all the Jews in the prov
inces. Mordecai discovered the plot
and charges the queen to petition the
king for the safety of her people,
which she does at the peril of ner life,
on account of the law that no one
shall go unto the king unbidden. The
king hears her petition, and Haman Is
defeated. Haman has prepared a gar
lows for Mordecai. An attendant in
forms the king of the fact. The king
orders Haman to be hanged from it
and proclaims Mordecai premier in his
stead. After this the people rejoice
The words for this cantata were
written by c. M. Cady. and the music
by William B. Bradbury and more
than a generation ago this piece was
one of the most popular musica1 rea-
lures presented by amateurs. 1t sur
vived in public favor for many years,
and the beauty of the music clings to
the memory so tenaclOuSly that not
withstanding that in these later years,
1T has been seldom produced. there Is
not a household ip the land where
music is cultivated at all, in when one
or more of the solos, quartettes or
choruses is not familiar. Mothers and
fathers have sung them to their child
dren until they uncbnscfously discover
a loved and familiar harmony in al
most every part, when hearing It's re-
hearsal. ~ ------ -s'r-
The cast of the principal solo
! parts is:
Esther. the queen-Miss Burnette
Walters.
Ahasuerus, the king-Mr. E. P
Chapman.
Haman. the kings councillor
Mordecai, the Jew-Mr ]. NJ
Thompson. .vs
Zeresh, Haman's wife-Miss Ona
May Miller.
PrOpheteSS-MrS Anna >. ElmOre
Scribe-Mr. Reigner.
| Hegai-Mr. George N. Johnson
Harbonah-Mr. Will Bollinger.
Mordecai's sister-Miss Mary c. Nc
| Cormac.
| The Beggar-J. B. Scott.
Professor Bissing will have charge
of an orchestra of twelve stringed in
struments, that will assist in the ac-
compartment work, and the great pipe
organ will be used through the entire
| performance, Mr.. w. F. Roehr pre-
| siding.
The seat sale opens at Stansfield's
| on Friday, June IL. Admission 2s
| cents for a reserved seat anywhere in
| the house.
Queen Esther Rehearsal.
A full rehearsal Of Queen Esther
| with piano, organ and orchestra, viii
| be held tonight, Friday night and mex
| Monday night at the Auditorium. L
| is especially desired that all MEMBER.
be promptly on hand this evening
Those in charge are aiming to make
! this the principal entertainment rea
| ture Of the season, and all appear
| ances indicate that they will succeed