SULLIVAN'S "MARTYR OF ANTIOCH."

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 278, 24 November 1888, Page 5

SULLIVAN'S "MARTYR OF ANTIOCH."

Tfce Auckland Choral Society's fifth and inst performance of fche season will be given in tho Choral Hall on Tuesday evening next, when Sullivan's sacred Idyll will bo presented. The last time this work was performed by the Society wa* in September, 1885, and it created a most favourable impression, so much so fchafc ibs repetition has been in contemplation almost ever since. The words of the " Martyr of Anfcjoch " are selected from the drama of that name, by the late Very Rev. H. H. Milman, Dean of St. Paufa. The s lections and alteration in the manner of Margarita's death have been made by the composer with tho consent of the D.an's sons. The action of the pisce is laid at Antioch, in Syria, in the latter _.t\ -t of the third century. The persons represented are: — Heathens : Olybius, tho Roman Prefect ; Callias, the priest of Apollo ; Julia, aud other maidens and youths, worshippers of the sun ; the populace Of Antioch. Christians : Fabius, Bishop of Antioch ; Margarita, daughter of Callias, Priest of Apollo ; the Christian congregation. The plot may be briefly described. Olybius is in love wifch Margarita, and she returned his love This, however, was in heathen days. She is now a Christian, and with her conversion, of which both her lover and her father are ignorant, she, though still nofc indifferent to hsm, rejects all idea of union with a heathen. The piece opens with a chorus of sun-worc-hippers, preliminary to a solemn sacri lice. The Prefect calls for Margarita to take her accustomed place and lead the worship. During her non-appearance the priest charges him with lukewarmness. in the cause of Apollo, and lie avows his firm intention to pub all Christians to death. The scene changes to the Christian cemetery, where one of the brethren is buried and a hymn is sung over him. After the funeral, Margarita remains behind and pours forth her feelings in adoration of the Saviour. Her father finds her thus employed, and learns for the first time of her conversion. The scene asain changes to the palace of the Prefect. The maidens Gf Apollo sing their evening song. Olybius and Margarita aro lefb together ; he begins his old endearments, and dilates en tiie glories which will bo her., when they are united. She then confesses fchat she is a Christian; he curses her religion, and she leave. him for prison. Tiie final action takes place outside the prison of tho Christiana, on the road to the Temple of Apollo. The maidens of Daphne chant the glories of tho god, while from within the prison _ are heard tiie more soh mn and determined strains of the Christians. Margarita in brought oufc and required to make her choice. She proclaim:, her faith in Christ. Her lover and her father urge her to retract, but in vain ; and she dies with the works of rapture on her lips :

The Christ, the Christ, commands mc to his

horve; , _ Jesus, Redeemer, Lord, I come! I come ! I come!

The .soloists are Mrs A. Taylor (Margarita), Miss J. Knight (Julia), Mr George Reid (Olybius), Mr A. Tayler (Callias;, Mr R. S. Abel (Fa hi us.)