“Under the Palms."

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2043, 16 March 1887, Page 2

“Under the Palms."

’• Under the Palms, or the Jewish Feast ” is the title of a Cantata (a poena to music with recitative) which for some weeSH past has been in rehearsal in Greytown and I iu which several persons from Carterton came down to take part. Its first performance was announced to take place at Featherston last eveuing, and after the sun went down there was quite an exodus from Greytown of those persons who were to take part—about 70 all told, with several instrumentalists. The title of the Cantata, taken in counectiou with the departure of so many persons from Greytowu, brought to mind the story of the exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt, but tbe Israelites had no buggies nor traps nor brakes tor the children. The thought suggested itself as the company drove out of the town that it would have been an immense hit if they had clothed themselves in old Jewish looking garments, worn sandals upon their feet, and marched to Featherston wading through the Tauherenikau river iu their course. Tiie public of Featherston would have turned out en matte, and the meu, women aud children visitors would have enjoyed a rest under " the olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees.” as it is written in the book of NehemiaU. But no, the singers and musicians were dressed as (or d modern concert, the little children looking particularly bright aud happy in their white dresses and sashes. They all had comfortable conveyances and there was not even the Re'! Sea of Tauherenikau to go through on foot to give a spice of old-time reality to the whole affair. Even the Rev Mr Ward, we believe, who captained the host and conducted tiie music, carried his rod in his coat pocket. With such a large company of vocalists aud instrumentalists it was not surprising that theie should have been a large attendance. Tbs auditorium of the Oddfellows’ Hall was too small for the comfortable sitting of those who had come to listen and the stage, though enlarged, did not give room for much display on the par! of the choristers. Everyone present, howevei, enjoyed the eu« leitainmeiit, and we do not think on any one ccustun so large a number of performers nave appeared before a Wairarapa audience The adult choir numbered ten voices, ■ children’s choir twenty, chorus forty, full chorus seventy, orchestra six instruments. Miss Bowler presided at the piano, Mr Walter Udy at the organ, the Rev Mr Ward conductlogin his usual efficient manner. The soloists were—Miss C. Seatlo, soprano; Mrs Ward, alto ; Mr C. S. Gamble, tenor; Mr B. C. Black, bass—all of whom fulfilled their parts well. The programme was a lengthy one, containing no lots than 48 different pieces, und it must not be expected that reference should be made to the items. Suffice it to sav that they all went well, the placing of the different part singers un this occasion being well calculated tor balancing the volume of sound. The choruses went grandly. The appearance of twenty little children, dressed iu white with colored satires and each bearing a bouquet, was the striking feature of the entertainment. Their voices were sweet, and the clear articulation of some of them was a marvel of sound, every word being distinctly given. It was evident that they bad been carefully trained. One item deserves special iu,.. foil in connection with the choruses; ■■ Nuailr the filling’ Protecting Shade’’ was

.-on.g by the whole company m a hum, the mouths being closed, aud the effect was excellent. Every singer held a bunch of flowers, aud during the singing of one of the choruses every arm was stretched forth. The sudden aud beautiful display of flowers was a surprise to the audience, and the picture was a very pretty one. Taken altogether the affair was a success and is flattering to the Rev Mr Ward, tor he worked energetically to secure it. On Friday night the company appear at Carterton, aud on Monday night at Greytown.