CANTATA.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 6, Issue 48, 18 June 1895, Page 2

CANTATA.

“DAVID, THE SHEPHERD BOY.”

The musical entertainment under this heading was given last Friday evening in the Town Hall, and, although the elements were propitious, the programme did not draw so large a house as might have been expected, probably owing to the short notice which had been given. An overture was excellently played by Miss Scott (violin), and Miss Toothill (piano), followed by the opening chorus (over thirty voices, with piano accompaniment) of the Cantata—

" Peace smiles upon our hills and dales, The purple vineyards glow ; In the olive gardens plenty dwells, Let silver trumpets blow. With trumpet and horn salute the morn, Let silver trumpets blow. An appropriate Scripture reading was given by the Rev. Mr Ensor introducing the solo, “ The coming of Samuel,” Mr J. Wheadon ; chorus, “ Woe, woe to the oh Bethelem ” ; solo, “ Ye sons of Boas and of Ruth,” Mr Cox; chorus, “Let us rejoice; ” the treble, altos, and tenors taking up the strain, “ Lift up our voice ; ” the full chorus responding, “ Let us rejoice in Him ; ” duet, “The Lord is high and holy,” Misses Carter and E. Mills; the chorus again responding “ Let us rejoice ” ; reading by Rev. Mr Ensor—David’s introduction to Samuel by his father, Jesse ; solo, “lam David, the Shepherd Boy,” Mr W. Ensor; solo, “ Whence comest thou my son ; what is thy name ? ” Mr Cox ; solo, “ I come from the fields of my father, with my flocks in the pastures I roam,” Mr W. Ensor; solo, “ God loveth the lowly in heart,” Miss Yenimore ; chorus, “ Blessed the children who early seek His face; ” reading Rev. Mr Ensor— The pointing of David, and his iptro-

duction to Saul; solo, “ Sad in heart whose prayer no more the ear of God will hear,” Mr W. Carter ; solo, “Fair shepherd wake some tuneful air,” Miss Mills ; instrumental selection, violin and piano (imitation of harp), Misses Scott and Toothill: solo, “Forsaken,” Mr W. Carter. After a short interval, Misses Scott and Toothill opened the second part of the programme with an excellenty played overture ; solo, “ Consider the lillies,” Mr Cox; reading by Rev. Mr Ensor—lllustrating the battle scene of the Israelites and Philistines, in which David slew the giant Goliath ; chorus, “A thousand men Saul left upon the plain, a thousand ten hath David slain ; ” solo, “0, shepherd fair, of Ephrata,” Miss Mills; solo, “ 0 Lord, our Lord, how excellent thy name on earth appears,” Mr W. Ensor; chorus, “ Now take the tabrets and advance; ” reading by the Rev. Mr Ensor—-de-scribing the reception of David’s servants by Nabal and Abagail, his wife; solo, “ Nabal doth scorn my suit,” Mr W. Ensor; solo, “ The shepherds shear their fleecy flocks,” with chorus, Miss B. Mills ; recitative, “ Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,” Mr W. Ensor; chorus, “We come to Thee for peace my Lord; ” after a reading describing the marriage of Abagail to David, “ The Bridal March ” was played by Miss Toothill; chorus, “From Carmel we come with its rich treasures laden ; ” “ God save the Queen.”

The entertainment, was, musically speaking, very creditable, and reflects great credit on the promoters—Miss Toothill and Mr Cox—also on all who took part and stuck so persistently to the task of getting up the whole affair within the space of a week, and it shows what may be achieved in this district if its musical talent will combine and organise regular practices and diligent study of music—that most refining and pleasing of all accomplishments.