CANTATA "DANIEL"

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 557, 13 August 1920, Page 2

CANTATA "DANIEL"

A MUSICAL TREAT. In spite of the unfavourabe weather conditions last evening there was a large attendance at the Premier Hall when a grand concert and the sacred cantata "Daniel" were submitted under the auspices of the Methodist Church. Half of the proceeds of the function are to go towards a fund for the purpose of assisting to beautify the town of Pukekohe, and as a result the iund should be considerably augmented. The arrangements were well carried out, and everything passed off without a hitch. The first part of the programme consisted of vocal items by Mesdames W. Leather (Auckland), Crawford (Papakura), Messrs. T. C. Seaton (Papakura) and W. Leather (Auckland), and Messrs . H. V. Gribble, K. Cannell, V. S. Roberts and T. Walker (Pukekohe), and a pianoforte trio by Misses Webb, Penman and Mr. Cannell (Pukekohe), while Mr. H. V. Gribbl? rendered a couple of recitations. The items were appreciated fully, and the performers were all encored.

The second portion of the programme was taekn up by the cantata "Daniel," the principals in the performance being: J J.ueen, Mrs. W. Leather ('Auckland); Azariah, Mr. YV. Leather (Auckland); sister of Azariah, Mrs. Curnow (Pukekohe); Daniel, Mr. T. C. Seaton (Papakuia); King, Mr. T. Walker (Pukekohe).

The theme of the argument is a? follows: -

Part 1.--"God's chosen people mourn in a strange land. They urge each other to trust and conlidence in God, in which Daniel joins. A herald from the king enters, who commands them to worship the golden hw.gc. They refuse, and exhort each other to courage. The three princes are cast into the furnace. Their wondrous preservation there is watched by the king and a chorus of Assyrians. It is celebrated by a chorus of Assyrians, a choral followed by a chorus of thanksgiving. Part 11.- The Jews still long to re turn to their own land. The Persians conquer the Assyrians and join in a jubilant chorus. The presidents and princes are jealous of the foreign origin of Daniel. They consult how they may remove him. The king commands everyone to worship him alone for 30 days. Daniel prays to his God as he has always done. The princes hear him, and shout for .joy. The queen tells the king, who is troubled, Daniel is then placed in the lions' den. The king goes to see Daniel, and finds him safe in the midst of the lions. The Persians then praise the All Powerful God in chorus.

Part lll.—The Jews confess their sins, led by Daniel, who announces God's pardon. They pray that Zion may be restored. The king allows Daniel and Azariah to go to raiseagain the walls of Jerusalem. The queen adds her blessings on them, and tkey w|sh the king long life and happiness. They arrive at Jerusalem, and in the final chorus they praise God that they once more possess their own city and ask his protection. The cantata was opened with an item by the orchestra, after which the following solos and chorus were rendered in the order given:—Chorus, "O Zion, city of our God," company; solo and chorus, "Blessed be the name of the Lord," Mr. T. Seaton; solo, "O People and Nations," Mr. W. Leather; duet, "Oh my Brother," Mrs Curnow and Mr. Leather;, solo, trio and quartet, "Hark, Hear the Hateful Cornet," solo, Mrs. Curnow, trio, Messrs. Curnow, Gill and Leather; solo, trio and chorus, "Bring Forth the Stubborn Princes," solo Mr. Walker, trio Messrs. Curnow, Qill and Leather. Part II: Trio and chorus, "Still Do We Long For Thee," Misses V. Webster, W. Webster and Mrs. Hosking; solos and chorus, "Yet, O Princes," Messrs. Curnow and Richards; solos, trio and chorus, "But Which Accusation," Messrs. Curnow and Richards: solo, "According to Your Desires," Mr. T. Walker; solo, "Hear the Voice of My Cry," Mr. T. C. Seaton: chorus, "He Prayeth," Mrs Leather and Mr. Walker; duet, "O Daniel, Servant of the Living," Messrs. Walker and Seaton; solo, quartet and chorus, "0 Sing Unto the Lord," solo Mr. J. A. Gill, quartet Mesdames Richards and Elliott, and Messrs. McConnel and Richards. Part III.: Solo, "0 Come, Let Us Fall Down," Mr. T. C. Seaton: solo and chorus, "We Have Sinned," Mr. T. C. Seaton; ,i-ecit., "The Lord Hath Sent His Angel," Mr. T. C. Seaton; solo and chorus, "How Lovely is Zion," Mrs. feather; trio, "Our God, O King, Hath Bade Us," Mrs. Curnow. Mr. Leather and Mr. Seaton; solo. "Go, Servants of the Mighty God," Mr. Walker: solo, "Judah's Children," Mrs. Leather; quintet, "May God, in Whom We Trust," Mesdames Leather and Curnow, Messrs. Leather, Seaton and Walker; final chorus, "Freedom Again is Ringing," Mesdames McConnel and Hosking, Messrs Cannell, Gill and Walker.

The performers were under the conductorship of Mr. V. S. Roberts, and a word of praise is due to him for the manner in which he turned his company out. The accompaniments for the concert were- played by Messrs. Cannell and Seaton, while Miss Reeve presided at the organ and played the accompaniments for the cantata. The following comprised the orchestra: Mesdames Wylie, Armstrong, Miss Wood and Mr. Harriman (viol-

ins), Mr. Bear (Bass), Mr. Murgatroyd ('cello), Mr. Ramsay (cornet), Mis Reeve (organ) and Mr. Cannell (l)iano). At the conclusion the chairman, Rev. J. Olphert, returned thanks on behalf of the promoters to the performers and all who had attended on such an inclement night. The rendering of the National Anthem terminated a successful function.