"Faith Triumphant"

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 144, 5 July 1888, Page 2

"Faith Triumphant"

The Presbyterian Church was Eter> erally crowded on Tuesday evening last when a large and appreciative audience assembled to hear the-cele-brated and beautiful cantata, "Faitl* Triumphant," or the Healing of Naa-' man, wjneh wa» given in its entirety. The cantata was given by, a full choir of thirty voices, with organ and-piano for orchestral accompaniments. -The piece was opened by a march move* went, very effectively rendered. Mr A. Eade, as Iran, opened the scenev lhe chorus of Syrian priests (Messr* Hartgill, Stevens, Purvis, and Shearer) "Hail to the Conqueror, Hail V iW a» very effective! In fact we may say the* whole- of the choruses were sung with precision, which spoke well for the* excellent training the singers had received. That of " The voice of; the Lord" and Üb© " Humming Chorus" were specially worthy of notice. . Iran (Mr A. Eade) made a most successful debut, and whether in recitative or song', was not only in geod voice, but - he sang with great power and -good taste. His recitative : ." Syria* umph" and Bong, " A cloud is on the mountain's Brow" were very effective. The role of the Queen was well filled by Mrs Bishop, whose recitative; "The morning birds are Singing," and river song, *' Abana, the light «£ Damascus," showed that notwithstanding her long retirement she had lost little of her wonted, power. Miss . Bellve, as the wife .©£ Naaraan, sang-/ with great power and effect. Her reei- 1 tatives were all well rendered, and her song, "Ye Gods, hear my appeal," was done ample justice to. Miss J. Fraser, who made her first appearance, in public as a singeiy made quite a.hit y as the Hebrew maidan. ;>i^h« mmcx* ■•- ; ally excelled in recitative, while her - songs were given with great taste and feeling. The song, " l^ harp of my Fathers," was quite a gem.. Mr John Bartholomew, }unr.,:was ..a very -.cred- ■ i table representstive ofr Naatnan, and his ricn bass vbice was heard to great advantage in the choruses and concerted pieces, i He Jsang "But I love thee," and "Now sing ,tp Jehovah'* 1 particularly well. The finale was the full chorus, •? Now to the Sing Eternal,' 1 and was well executed^ Jlr D^ H.. Jenkins wielded the baton, made an .excellent conductor. .Ai; special need of praise is due to him for his untiring exertions in rehearsal, and the successful ; production of the cantata. Mrs C. Brown presided at the organ, and Miss Xightbown at the piano, and each most efficiently performed the respective duties en- ' trusted to them. The affair was decidedly a most pronounced. success in every respect. We are glad to hear there is a probability of its being repeated, in costume, at an early date, when a bumper house will, we; are confident, greet the performers. The church, we may mention, was beautifully decorated with evergreens and flowers, the whole having a very pretty effeci At the conclusion of the performance the Rev. if, M. Murray briefly returned thanks to the choir for their labors, and the audience for their presence. .