New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-29
MUSIC-THE DRAMA.
o ROBIN HOOD,

The spectacle OF sincere effort TO redeem tn
operstta stage from vulgarTy In text and puerly In
music has something refreshing IN II that II woud
be easy 10 commend Robin Hood which was brought
forward at Che STANDARD Theatre last night, II thers
were even moro plentiful lack of merit IN IT than
proved TO be The case. whether Messrs. Harry B.
smith and Reginald de Koveu had any refOrmstory
notions in their heads when they wrote the book ana
music need not be asked They chose subject which
might easily have been worked out on the familiar
lines Of silly farce but they preferred Instead to at
tempt n comedy with music which should appeal 10
halter tastes in both departments and for this reason,
II for no other, they deserve success Hr. smith has
baen cuty of so much that Is bad In his adaptations
OF French and German operettaS that thosS VINO nave
recognized the possibilities OF better things IN ms "cx
must perforce believe that 1t was either the eosoorA
ton with Mr.. de Koyen, the ambition 70 snow uias
when an opportunity 10 do original work pre-
sented itself he would put his talents to better
use. or tho charm In the old story OF the OUTLAW o.
sherwood Forest which Induced him TO strive earnestly
to create play simple in outline and to Keep IN
harmony with The spirit OF the tales which nave he
TO stimulate love the greenwood ana tne romantic
virtues with which the English Imagination ehaowea
the hero Of the old ballads II Our stSee were neaes
In such efforts the remark which Beethoven IS SAD
10 have made touching Of Webers operas 70 the
effect that is best to drown the first Hitter Of puppies
might be made with considerable apposteness 70 tic
authors of aRobn Hood: but in this case it Is de-
cdedy interesting TO watch the antics Of me Hitter for
the entertainment that those antics gve but also iof
the Improvement in the breed for which they bid Us
hope.
The story of the operetta is only slightly connected
with that told in the old ballads In fact tive opeeA
gives us little else than names with which we arc
familiar Neither Of the authors IS experienced enough
In his department to produce anything like picture
of the times, or 10 color Il appropriately vita
language, sentiments and music. An enort 70
TWO of the characters higher IN the social
scale than they appeared OF old Robin iiOod Is the
rlghfu Earl OF Huntington, defrauded OF bis rights BY
the wicked devices OF the sheriff Of Nottingham ana
Marian his paramOur in The ballads, becomes Lazy
Marian Fi.zwaiter, ward u the Crown. She, TOO,
wronged By the Sheriff. who attempts TO marry her on
10 Ciny OF Osborne who Is up IN the Earl " Hunt
defeat of the Sheris plan the marriage of the lovers
and few incidents in the forest life OF the outlaws arc
the business of the peace. which VIII rest tr what
measure of IL may win on few pieces o. tune
fnl music the good singing Of the Bostonians principles
and chorus and the engaging pictupes which the stage
folks and their environment present. M de noVshs
talent appears in its best light IN his copies Oh English
songs of the kind for which stephen Adams may be sad
10 stand sponsor. These arc vigorous nsplnung ana
melOdious. When he essays the familiar dance l'rns
of the Viennese writer's he becomes soneWnal 700
frankly a borrower. OF the finale OF Act J. u might %
said as Rossni remarked 10 a young composer vno
presented some Of his music TO the venerable master
liked its How to handle an ensemble Mr.. de hoyen
has vet to learn. But he VIII learn u As ne Sal W
also learn the value Of musical CHARACTERIZATION ana
greater harmonic variety.