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

irl.R MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

The long-p7omised new English opera, ,by Macfarren,
entitled " Robin Hood," was produced here last evening,
and met with the most enthusiastic success. From the
overture, which was encored, to the last note in the finale,
it was one series of triumphs, and from henceforth Robin
Hood will be looked upon as Macfarren's greatest work, in
fact, his masterpiece, and one that will raise the English
school cf music in the estimation of the lyric world at
large. The opening scene of the opera represents the
High- street of Nottingham, with armourers actively en-
gaged in their labour, and hero we are introduced to the
celebrated Robin Hood, under the name of Locksley, a
prosperous yeoman, in which character he not only wins
the heart of Marian, the daughter of the Sheriff of Notting-
ham, but is regarded with considerable favour by her
haughty parent. Skill in archery, however, being con-
sidered the chief and indispensable virtue in the troublous
times of the Norman Kings, Locksley is not permitted to
become the Sheriff's son-in-law until he has carried off
the prize in a trial of marksmanship, which takes place
at Nottingham fair. Robin Hood, as a matter of course,
proves himself the best shot in the county, and his victory
over all competitors would at once earn for him the
fair hand of Maria; were it not for an unlucky incident
connected with his less ostensible vocation. In the
interval that occurs between the proclamation of the
trial of skill and the actual shooting, Hugo, the Somp-
nour, or collector of abbey dues, travelling through
the forest with a sackful of golden contributions, is
waylaid by Robin Hood and his " merry men," who ease
him of his costly burden, and after allowing him to participate
in a venison-pasty, compel him to dance
,for their amuse-
ment. This comparatively trifling punishment for number-
less deeds of extortion is inflicted by Robin Hood himself, in
lieu of death by hanging which is suggested by Much, the
Miller's son, the most sanguinary and revengeful of the
gang. Far from experiencing gratitude at being let off thus
easily, the Sompnour disguises himself as a mendicant
friar, for the purpose of confronting Robin Hood at the
fair, and denounces the bold outlaw at the very instant of
his triumph, when under the assumed name of Locksley,
he has won Maid Marian and immortal fame. Instead of
the light and pleasant bonds of matrimony, Robin is com-
pelled to wear the heavy fetters of captivity, and to be
locked up in Nottingham Castle, whence, on the follow-
ing morning„ ho is to be led to the place of execul ion.
At this anxious moment, when the case of Robin Hood
seems hopeless, happiness comes from the quarter whence
it was least expected—viz., from the supposed death-war-
rant itself, which proves to be a reprieve accorded by the
magnanimous Richard to Robin Ildod and his followers,
with full pardon on condition of their entering the King's
service.

The dramatis personee was thus distributed :—Robin
Hood, Mr. Sims Reeves ; Sheriff of Nottingham, Mr.
Santley ; Sompnour, Mr. Honey; Maid Marian, Madame
Lemmens Sherrington; Alice (her attendant), Madame
Lemaire ; and the subordinate characters of Allen-a-Dale,
Much (the Miller's son), and Little John, by Messrs.
Parkinson, Patey, and Bartleman. The re-appearance
on the stage of Mr. Sims Reeves was quite an " event,"
and the rapturous welcome that greeted him was re-
warded by some of the finest singing ever listened to.
Sims Reeves' great song came in act ii. "Thy gentle voice
would lead me on," was its title, and the greatest of
English, or European, tenors sang it deliciously. Of Mr.
Santley's splendid baritone voice and artistic singing we
neod say no more than that in the part of the Sheriff he
found excellent opportunities for the display of both ; nor
can we say more of Mr.. Honey than that the Sompnour is
the best part that has yet been allotted to him; and Mr.
Parkinson sang the music allotted to the part of Allen-a-
Dale with great taste and effect. Madame Lemmens Sher-
rington is an acquisition:of the highest ptice—a first-rate
prima donna, who is an actress into the bargain. At the
fall of the curtain the applause was immense. All the
principal artists, as well as Mr. Macfarren and the enter-
prising director, E. T. Smith, had to bow their acknow-
ledgments before the curtain. The house was crowded to
an overflow long before the curtain rose, even standing
room was at a premium.