CANTATA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1632, 10 September 1887, Page 2

CANTATA.

“UNDEII THE PALMS.” Mr Boot’s well-known Cantata “ Under the Palms” was given by the Primitive Methodist choir assisted by several friends in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Geraldine, OQ Wednesday evening last. Notwithstandiog that the evening came on wet about five o’clock the building was crowded to excess in every part. The choir and their friends appear to have thrown their hearts fully into the task of decorating the room, and the result of so many willing hands being at work the previous evening was that the Hall was most beautifully decorated with ferns, evergreens and flowers. On either side of the platform were placed large ti trees, and festoons of ferns and wattle made a complete bower. Every convenience had been carried out with regard to the staging, and the whole company of performers, numbering over 50 singers, were comfortably seated. Before the commencement of the Cantata the Rev. W. J. Dean, Pastor of the Primitive Methodist Church, addressed the meeting. He stated first of all the purpose for which the Cantata was given, namely, the augmenting the Church funds ; and secondly what the Cantata was illustrative of, namely, the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, when that people lived in tents, while commemorating the return of the nation from captivity in iu Babylon. The performance went off in a manner (hat must have bean extremely gratifying to the conductor, Mr T. Sherratt, and which gave the very keenest enjoyment to the large throng that had gathered to hear the rendition. Not a single hitch of any description occurred during the evening. The appearance of the choir as they were arranged among the foliage was extremely pretty. The children taking part were mostly dressed in white, and were profusely decked with flowers. The fo’lowing were the instrumental performersPiaoiste, Miss Fish ; Organiste, Miss Dean ; Clarionette, Mr T. Fasten ; Cornet, Mr W. Stonehouse, As stated above, Mr T. Sherratt was the Conductor. His abilities as a conductor of musical entertainments is too- well known to need to be spoken of here.. On this occasion ke surpassed himself, and the command he had obtained over tha largo choir under his charge was admirable.

The first part of the Cantata it a record of the deliverance of the Jews. The introductory song and ohoras is “Wake, Captives awake.” Mr Aitkea took the tenor solo which followed “How doth iho City.” Mr Coltman, jun,, came next with the bass solo “ Thus saith Cyrus,” the children singing • “ Hear, hear to Jerusalem.” The bass aolo ; by Mr W. Coltman, jun, and the, chorus was followed by the march by the choir and chorus, “We are matching Home,” Miss Andrews rendered the soprano solo, “When the Lord turned again the Captivity of Zion.” “ The Lord bath done great things for us,” was given by the choir. Misses Andrews and E. Dean, and Mr Biker and another gentleman gave the quartette “ They that sow in tears shal' reap in joy.” Mrßrooker saog the bass solo, “ Rest, Pilgrims rest,” Mies

Ooltmau giving the recitation. A gentleman gave the bass solo “ Proclaim a fast,” and Mrs Saddler the soprano volo, “ Oh, Shephard, who leadest.” “ Thou art help to the helpless.” was next given by the choir, and “Little ones of *God are wo ” by the junior choir. “ Lies before a hostile way ” was given by Mr Aitken, .“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem,” duet, by Miss Andrews (soprano) and Miss E, Doan (alto), was next given.: Mr Biker gave the tenor solo, “ When the soul draws near to God,” and Miss E. Dean the alto solo, “ Onto Thee wjll 1 lift np mine eyes.” “List to the evening Psalm,” by Mr Aitken (tenor) was next given, and was followed by thrtrio by three ladies, “God, Thy prayer, now bows to hear.” The interval of ton minutes how being announced the whole audience burst into a round of hearty applause in token of their appreciation of the entertainment. “ dome let us rejoice,” which commenced the second part of the Cantata, was followed bj the solo “Uplift your thankful eyes” by Mr Aitken (tenor). “ Oh, Bless, Oh, Bless the Lord,” was sung by a gentleman, the choir renderiog the chorus, Miss Andrews followed with the soprano solo “ Blessed be Thy glorious nme.” Mr Mabm gave the base solo “ Stand up to-day.” The quartette “ Ob, Lord, what offering shall we bring,” was sung by Miss Maslin, Mrs Saddler, and Messrs Aitken and Brooker. “ Behold the land ” was given by Mr Brooker (bass), and was followed by the same gentleman with “ Recall the days.” Miss E. Dean sang “By the dark Eu-

phratea stream,” with quartette and quintette at the latter part. This waa followed with the solo by Mias Andrews, “We remember the groves of our fathers.” “ From tents of pine,” was followed by the duet by Misses Dean and Andrews “ I was glad.” Mr Aitken next rendered the tenor solo “ The Lord it nigh,'’ and the children “He ia help to the helpless.” Mr Coltmab, junr., sang “ The hand of tho Lord,” and this portion of the Cantata concluded with “Praise ye the Lord, Oh Church of Christ, and Rejoice.” The next portion of the Cantata was “The application,” which commences with the chorus “ From bondage awake,” followed by the solos and quintette “ My soul, the Saviour’s message hear.’ The Rev. Mr Dean then came fhtWard and, on behalf of the choir, thanked the large audience present for their attendance ' that evening.. Doubtless more 'Would have beea present had it not beeuior the ! unfavorable weather. Ha would reyersotho usual ordei of thinns. and thank t.hAfthmr

and ‘friends for the able' manner imwhich ihey bad carried the Cantata throngh?' tie paid a high compliment to Mr T. Sherratt for the part he had taken in bringing the Cantata before -the public in as perfect a state as circumstances weuld allow.' Ha (the Chairman) was sure th» audience would testify how faithfully ho had carried it through. They were all particularly indebted to Miss Fish for her valuable assistance as pianiste, and who had attended the rehearsals at considerable inconvenience, Personally he was much indebted to the ladies and gentlemen who bad assisted that evening. (Loud applause.) Dr Fish spoke of the pleasure the evening’s entertainment had givea him. He also congratulated Mr T. Sherratt on the success of the Cantata, which he hoped would be repented at an early : d ite. The members of the Church of England -at Geraldine had often received great assiatance from the members of the Primitive Methodist choir in their Church services, and at other times, and he was; sure the members of bis Church had much pleasure

in assisting the members of the Primitive Methodist when called upon.

Mr Pearpoint endorsed the remarks of Dr Fish, and trusted, also that the Cantata would be repeated. The rev. Chairman thanked the t"o speakers, and he was sure the choir would feel grateful for their hearty good wisho*. (Loud applause.) The singing of the finale, “We are marching Home to Zion,” brought the evening’s entertainment to a close. At the conclusion quite a number of bouquets were thrown and presented to Mr T. Sherralt.

When all acquitted themselves so well it may seem invidious to mention names, but certainly Mrs Saddler deserves a special word of praiee for her singing of the soprano solo “Oh Shepherd who leadeth our eouls to Thee,” and to Miss E. Dean for her singing of the alto solo. i