The Express.
London, England, 1860-10-12 00:00:00

INDON, FRIDAY

music.

-..._

111 l MAJEsTre THU.=
Mr. Macfarren's Robin Hood was produced last
night. ft has been looked for with no ordinarzy
interest, for its author is one of the few musidaits
wbo throw lustre upon the modern English school.
From the author of Don Quixote, Chart". the Remy*
'The Sleeper Awakened, May Day, and Christina
(the two last, though not written for the
as ersatially dramatie as any of tile
were entitled to expect something great, in
truth we have met with something grater then we
expected. Mr. Macfarren has put forth all his
strength in this work. He has bad—what our
English dramatic musicians have been so deplorably
in want of, though in this respect they
are happier now—the mesas of its preda-
tion at a theatre of the first class, and
of its performance by our best actors an't singers,
with every accessory of orchestra, chorus, scenery,
and decoration, that could conduce to the full effect
of the repreeenation. He has had, moreover, a
delightful subject, skilfully treated by a most ae-
tesaplithed dramatist. Thus stimulated, he has
exerted his utmost powers, and achieved • work
not only much superior to any of his own
productions, but not excelled by a
mstic composer, from the days of oar
own. We are convinced that this is riot saying kW
Much. Our opinion is borne out by the manner In
which the opera was received, end will, we doubt
not, be confirmed by the permanent place which the
work will take on the English stage.
Much of this success will certainly be due to the
merit of the drama. We are not, as in most
operas, condemned to swallow nonsense, fustian,
and namby-pamby, sweetened and made palatable
by an infusion of crotchets and quavers. The sub-
ject is redolent of Merry England in the olden
time ; and Mr. Macfarren's music has the fine old
English spirit and flavour of Mr. Oxenford's poetry.

Mr.Oxenford has had recourse to the traditioesitt
Sherwood Forest, and has borrowed some thing,
from the most delightful of all tales of old EngLai
life, Walter Scott a Ivanhoe The following are
the principal incidents.
The scene of the first act is the High-street of
Nottingham. A number of armourera are working
at their trade, a party of women are plying their
spinning-wheels, while a rustic flirtation is going
on between a young peasant, Allen-a-Dale, eau
Alice, a country girl. This situation is the subject
of an animated chorus, in which the clang of the
hammers reminds us of the scene of the coiner' cave
in the iriaments de la Couronne. Robin Hood ap-
pears under the assumed name of Locksley, in which
disguise be has wooed and won the heart of Marian,
the daughter of the Sheriff o f Nottingham, wko, in
countenancing their union, little knows that his
intended son-in-law is the redoubled outlaw for
whose apprehension he has offered a reward. The
sumpnour, or steward, of a neighbouring abbey, a
monkish bon-vivant of the genuine antique type,
comes upon Allen for some arrears of dues to the
abbey; and the poor fallow, being unable to- satisfy
the ism* is bid by the Lob bias hilt's
deem; Ledisisposimillommit Plfatbradatti
sod hese AR= too the Inge of tits law. These
solo the did hisidieste et the first act.
The sessad est spun in the greenwood, near the
Isplinewee whew the outlaws commonly hold
their meetings-4U spot so graphically described
by Water Scott, and lossutifully depicted by the
scene painter. Robin Hood and his "merry men"
here appear in all their glory. The outlaws are
roasting a buck, and singing a jolly chorus, when
the sumpnour, escorted by a guard of soldiers,
comes upon their revelry, charges them with steal-
ing the Kings deer, and orders his men to seize
them. Robin Hood winds his horn, and archers
start from every bush, like the clansmen at the
summons of Roderick Dhu. The soldiers fly, and
the sumpnour is seised. Mesh, the millec's son, a
brutal fellow, is for banging the captive off-
hand, but Robin Hood makes him sit down to the
banquet, and then dismisses him minus the con-
tents of his purse, after having made him dance
for the amusement of the joyous band ;
the only disappointed person being the
refflan Much, who is sternly reproved by
hie chief. We lave then the scene of a great fair,
where, among other rustic sports, there is an archery
match, at which Robin Hood, in his disguise as
Locksley, beats all his competitors, and the prize is
bestowed upon hint by Marisa ; but at this moment
of happiness, the sumpnour makes his appearance,
and denounces Leekaley as the outlaw Robin Hood.
He is arrested instantly by the sheriff's commend,
and the act closes amid general dismay. The third
act is comparatively brief. The outlaw is in pri-
son, while his followers muster for his rescue, and
his enemies strive to hasten the execution of the
sentence of death pronounced upon him. At the
place of execution, a band of his men rush in,
while, on the other hand, a stronger body
of soldiers, led by the sumpnour, make
their appearance. A conflict is impending;
when it turns out that the Sompnour has un-
wittingly been the bearer, not, as he sup-
posed, of the death warrant, but of a free pardon
offered by King Richard to Robin Hood and his
band, on condition that they shall enter the King's
service. The event is bailed with a burst of joy ;
and the sheriff consents to the union of the lovers.

The mimic demands more detailed remarks than
we can bestow upon it at present ; but we shall
return to A forthwith. In the meantime we may
say that the performance of the opera was admirable,
and its success triumphant. Mr. Sims Reeves, in
the character of Robin Hood, outdid himself. We
have never seen him act with so much power, nor
heard him sing more supwkly. Madame Lemmens
Sherrington was literally a wonder. She is en-
tirely new to the stage, and yet her acting,
whether gay or pathetic, was as easy, graceful,
and true to nature ae if she had been familiar for
hears with the boards. Her personation of the
eroine was captivating, sad her singing was the
perfection of beauty, brilliancy, and expression.
Mr. Santley gave great importaeoe to the character
of the Sheriff and the su rba inate_ parts ware well
supported. Tn. then.. e• erowded to law dem
and the principal morceaux were enthusiastically
received. Several of Madame Sherrington% and
Mr. Reeves's airs and duets were loudly and per-
severingly encored, but the call was not in any in-
stance responded to ; a thing which gave us much
pleasure, because it gives the prospect of the abate-
ment of one of the greatest nuisances on the musical
stage.

POULTRY ILND PIODDN SHOW.

—This 11110 W was held on Toesday, in the Yee-hall,
Worcester, wog:aging open on Wednesday sod yesterday,
sad for quality of bads exhibited eclipsed all ils redness-
area The pale fowls were perfect 'whams of excelleasa,
sad the show of Worcestershire pile. especially was AM-
rate, and fully merited the high terms of praise in which they '
ware 'pokes of by the judges The Dorking chickens, too, I
woo ocrieidered to be the best let ever passed together this
srses.thel tia this rigissidar kiad of fowl being
very striking. ThuCoehiapirwoo,M6olllllllllili fine,and
• has peaof ChIESIIIOII and bde base/peg to Mr. J. CsttsU,
if Memel% OW Rant grim, said %FM Tb. Hambnrge
I were semer;kie= se tes per of geldes-poseilled,
Meeks* el silver- sin el pidtra and sae
of silver beiag entered. In seieled, W.
W. C. W Liverpool, took the ant prim' e Mr. W.
Oarsman, cd Bradford, being a very close wood The pine
make iseeer were in capital oandition. The tastwys,
✓d
were of snannova Three turkey
we
300 s. ;dogs, Mb gad dacha. Mk TOwe
was also • capital exhibition of katm fowls sad piport
Amongst those taking Ant petals la the various classes were
the Bea. W. W. Versos, Mr. J. B. Chew, Mr. W. law-
ns, Yr. W. R. Lea, Mr. J. Pereissi, Mr. A.. P.
XI. H. Child, jsa., Mr. C. kites. The
Cwen Xr. J. Bedisy, London Bev. R. Pullets*.
lg Wilke Yorkshire ; aai Mr. I. Hewett, Birming-
ham ; d pigeons, Mr. T. O. Cattle, Olselleslans.
01711TAL PALLOL - ON. litallNG DAY.-
TIMM" Oorolos IL —Adalmire es molest, Off ;
deMly arm WU% 3101 told TOWN 1,481.

EVI!INING„a ,OCTOBER 12.
.IflE

NAVAL AND MILITARY.

c

Aziereeirrr, Oa,. 111,—.Psoatiottoino 41111410++
—Vieweamiesl Ns R. Meal" a
.In-eblaf aiiiorlt,, Ate View
• 71.-C.8.,_ as Mama d al
lia=7" B. w 2 so 10 IlteAlonsbooset to Wm.
' F. Stopford, for tam saaTiO4l j sad J. B.
letisp Is to idditinel tote Boyd
0.17 Ber
r.geeeav!Dc
K.D. J. W
L 9 ON IL LL• be ii• Nem/ ; tad L.
.art. the Ceocirrer.
""Mill A. J. W. Iteitarete the Me*.

,

. -
- : ka • • .-• t , • c1.112115100T11, Om IL
il///1001rUmessam Mean, gre Persian
000111—attkatileWo *Z. toe hill F.:.
oallimey NismoJalllP like ii tionredited,kr Che mart
al hoe Majpep el Peemiti, and le doily en-
peeled to from Malts, In a toem-of-war
ski Lore cf the Admiralty to convoy
to Ws port
4 pedals-wheel ate
steam Commander
pi apiece steam in the steam-liasin yesterday
feehmagj.
5, pllft Oenuneader Lifted Ilitoledle
ibe ' Itlirreerareep=sader J. E. Alexamite,
r
M "docked taaamesein.
J 11.. Coalmine,
has to las decked.
---.--

Ocr. 6.
The ftiii44sviruentat &ve =On ,
rellatidy railways. plan is tole:4
Mere° hanlitit CMS. -fred
Alice* alter whisk mother hot dart trout Ow larli
bourhood al Quire Giovaani to Catania and Messina. nese
Hoes wilTemble the and other products to be
broughble the eart for and will materially redoes
the pelmet sulphur.
Mr. oabdelle ban taken a vast amount of trouble In ear-
' raying the /r 'hoar, tasting and trying everything before
=hi his radar. Every part of the harbour has bests
examined, and the west careful survey of all
the grottreearrited with the cootemplated new werks.
Noss of the other eareactors have taken a tithe of the
trouble that Mr. Gabrielle's surveyors have. Ia this he has
bear is eery way reisted by the civil government. The
captor d the port is frequently sounding from 6 a.m.
te‹. and Mr.
_hgeate. how Soinersetkonse, being
dleatiwit. • The Walser Is not to be signed at
hi Leek% Ifirelthe rider offers, understood to
b•itZwteasite Ml* canitlhlintru
meat of Malta
She
1,1111161%1•11. .feet Mae enc.cbi,c Sid et
enhis feet of masonry. The tank is
to Madan law anion galloos, and it is believed
that the ammo rind fre year will iii.
In excavarog the pok, they fou t full of homes,
which causal mph mlittienel expense. In the contem-
plated wahrgrord et re Grand Harbour bar, two million
tor of Wilder' to be dredged up.
It is asjd that the Peorwales and Oriental Company have
applied II *tampon* of Prance to have permission to
doe their shossers at Tooke.
OATIVIIIIdIIy last the Perim Ambassador MiraJahr
Art, lied s mall suite, arrived is her Majesty's ship
Mesabi* bent Constantinople. He landed with the usual
_.llO Magral% PM Of are, end edu-
risrAsArlinfio- left sue 4y in her Majesty's 'hip
for Woad' robs** under the usual salutes,
and trig scoompinied to the boat by his Erelleney the
Goverega.
Hefriry's ship Queen illitell Malta this day for
Neiges. Majesty ship Orion boo returned from Mar-
rone this day for a cruise. Her y.aisity'a ship
less d'Aere also leaves this day for a cruise.

T 713 VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT.

6118-I.'RF3F-NTAtION OF

OULOI7IIB.
Aa istereati4 cosialoay took place on Monday
afternoon ab Burford Hones, near Tenbury, the seat of the
Hight Hem Lord Northwich. The Tenbury Rifle Coon-
y, Ooloopl Lowe, caption, having fallen in at the
marched to Burford House, headed by
the drum • bond, and took up a position on the lawn
In fEst: in Frames of Lord Northorialt,
the Wm Enshout, Hon. Mrs. Warburton, the Rey.
Mr Onooley, and other gentry o the neighbour.
reekobssied bcoretie igcZt :dijatt et°lor get; wßatPtaliimoda
of W Bats, and aequittedp itaelf creditably in
menial and platono exercOm, marching peek time,
forming sub-diorama, and dispersing in eldrithift order.
Lord Northwich actively malted in staking out the ground
for the evolutions of the asps. and seemed to he much
pleased with the soidierate Dmrtq which the oft pro-
moted. . . . .

—The men were them thaws np in line in front of the man-
sion, and the Has. Mao knobs= advanced towards than
bear* a behatifully work= =ice, the gift of the ladies
d Ten bury. The week was performed by Mrs. Hyde, and
ma "onandly admired. It wadi in coloured Berlin wool on
a black satin pound, the outer border being of pass milk ;
supported by crowed lines is an escutcheon, inscribed with
the =rib "Tomboy NW Corps," beneath which is the
matte, "Mitlit itsenaita ' the whole being surmounted by
a arson. Thin beasilhd 'design baring been duly admired,
the Host Ms Bain& addressed the corps in the following
winds:
/4 Made seilaboas —lt is a great 0=1:1
sae be me _sok loses Most of you 1 have
bale eited, and Ate all your Joys and
hers sad foam. Now I aims before yen in •.= I
mietlot having boo
_asked to pram= to do leghsp ,
this Madrid spew'sa of week sal we ,
ai, Nam almiare Os lig donor for the *wog pi*
dm hm %dela' ir 41 .I Ault Is will 4
A seblial. =los war. As • Vil
mama bat is deem% %tercet in militser end
the neemmt seevemust .ens d the pealed al
=net that hr ever =tams= . . ride
save end submit to dissAllid al lAA
lasept
own bas will. events are
loprenZaani YAW
dense his let of native • d
-
adios. We cannot bolt at this naaremesdas IZSgite
kasha to Great Britain ; it sash all European
My friends, we me all d you ; the world's *ye is
apea yen ; and there le Cr, IA: who sees all you lave
mlintime. Illklie le yew your Qtmeu, and your
sesnley. rump tespellisr 6 unity is strewth.
And by the prayers cd the people, should the horrors of
war be averted from this land, still your self-denial and
loyalty, your readiness to rally round the drier ef your
Q 00614 your willow= to Maud your lime tap randa
her crown, will not be forgotten in that day when =.
scenes shall have paused away, and a warlike
be exchanged for me of eternal love aid poem." • ,
Mies &shout then handed over the banner, and
Colonel Lowe replied as follows :—"As the officer com-
manding the ?emboli )life Carps I receive with fast pride
three colours presented to us through your hands by the
ladies of Ten and its neighbourhood. Henceforth
this ensign will the rallying point for the men of
TenburT ; end I confide= if ever called upon to pro-
test this spndard, oar little corps would defend it with
the same palest/7 as the vete= soldiers of the line. It
mm ~yy net he oat of place if I take this opportunity of
addissdng a few words to friends sod comrades
Wham the corps was fret urge cad.
drouct twelve ,enothe
ego. I eneasvoured to imprint es your minds the
bnportanes of amanitas, sad the ide aseessitg of
obedient* to the oundemb el year diode. I ant happy
to es/ that eines ear fonention I have 'deemed bat one
set el Andordinatioa, and as that sena* I thought I
best ended out your Mime by Moorift that man from
the saps : he ma emearlity to be a ' W/mAssr. In se
isseta instance Awe I sea a man ma pen* mit thew*
drfeking to =end to his drill, end as all sarsions peer
eastern has lam se elderly sad se respadahle se te mall
the approbation el wall-wisher Alb strealry. BM
impossible either • ce, to wet
the importance of the niseeinint, and IIIIM:
=that. if were mil ammealiel, as leading Nig
Al
advance five miles a daythomik oar ancient
and that they would find themselves in very evil plight at
the end of their day's march.*
Miss Ruahout then delivered the prism to the emmodal
eompotiton at the recent rife match, on the practise ground
of the corps, when some way wed shooting wee made.
The following were awarded the prime :
la prize, bid dams, • silver alp, value 5 guineas, Private
Baser.
2nd prim, 2nd =as, a silver medal, value 2 guineas, and
lita. in mosey, aerie= Jones.
let prize, 3rd class, a bronze medal, value 1 guinea, and
11. A. in mosey, Private Pope.
• 9nd prise, 3= alms, U. 10a, Private Pinharn.
The delivery of each prim was accompanied by scam es-
=lremark from Miss Rnahout. The corps then paled
, I'J. were supplied with cold meat and ale, the ocni-
pew in the meantime dining with Lord Northwick.
After partaking of re Me, the corps marched back
to Teabury and woe dismissed.

VOCAL Itiruntr.s. —We have to notice a new
fetters in connexion with fie Hell Rile Oorps. A 244
Awe bee blew formed by menthes of °Wain White's aim
may, so that whiles the marsh the battalion may sow be
enlivened with vocal e• well s instrumental mane. Several
seep sad thermal, end etheeielly the thorns in P Taman,
me at present in wens o( rebetheth The Gamma, ea war
realm sre pond* ann. We* in this kind of TIMM-
tiOII. aid we know. el we arm whi7 ear own Mown
Amid net.--aliera Owsneies Nereid