the Declaration of Independence by Lawrence
Barrett, Esq.

God Bless our Glorious Land (written for the Fourth of July,
1869, by our friend Sam Booth). Full chorus, George T.
Evans, leader.

Poem by R.C. Hopkins, Esq., read by John McCulloch, Esq.

Music, orchestra.

Vocal music, Gloria in Excelsis, Mozart.

Oration by Henry E. Highton, Esq.

Song, Star Spangled Banner.

Full chorus from the Handel and Haydn Society and quartette
composed of Mrs. S.D. Mayer, soprano; Mrs. M.R. Blake,
contralto; Mr. S.D. Mayer, tenor; Walter C. Campbell, bass.

Music, orchestra.

In 1868 we were visited by the Lyster Opera company from Australia,
which gave a season of ten operas at the old Metropolitan Theater on
Montgomery street. They brought with them a goodly company of artists.

Henry Squires, _tenor_
W.F. Baker, _tenor_
Armes Beaumont, _tenor_
Lucy Escott, _soprano_
Geraldine Warden, _mezzo-soprano_
Mrs. Ada King, _contralto_
Mr. Sutcliff, _baritone_

LOCAL SINGERS

Sig. Roncovieri, _tenor_
Mr. Nathanson, _bass_
Mrs. M.R. Blake, _contralto_
Mrs. Cameron, _soprano_

They gave, December 21 and 22, Les Huguenots; December 23
and 24, Bohemian Girl; December 25, Maritana.

[Illustration: MRS. MARGARET BLAKE-ALVERSON

On Her Fiftieth Anniversary as a Public Singer, June 12, 1896

Sixty Years of Age and Still in Good Voice]

After the close of the season Mr. Squires and Miss Escott gave a
farewell concert in Pacific Hall in which I participated and sang with
them the celebrated trio, Protect Us Through the Coming Night.

On May 16, 1870, the Handel and Haydn Society gave Rossini's Stabat
Mater in Sacramento, Prof. Hugo Mansfeldt, leader, assisted by the
societies of Sacramento. The chorus was 500 strong, the soloists were
the best to be secured, assisted by Henry Heyman, violin soloist.

Herr Wenderlich, _bass_
W.C. Campbell, _bass_
Samuel C. Mayer, _tenor_
Matthew Anderson, _tenor_
Mrs. Marriner, _soprano_
Mrs. S. Little, _soprano_
Mrs. J.M. Pierce, _soprano_
Mrs. McNeil (of Sacramento), _soprano_
Mrs. M.R. Blake, _contralto_
Miss Hewlett, _contralto_
Miss K. Stone, _contralto_

Cornet solo, Mr. Dick Kohler and full orchestra.
Anvil chorus, with artillery accompaniment.

The undertaking was a financial as well as a musical success and added
one more wreath of laurels to our musical advancement in 1873.

Also in this year