The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-31
CHARMING EVENTNG OF OPERA.
"Robin Hood" DELIGHTFULLY."- Prosecuted Mt
Mozart Academy Last Evening.

Mozart Academy Last Evening.
a charming presentation Of robin
Hood" was given at Mozart Academy
last evening before a large, appreciative
and fashionable audience. 1t was sur
prisingiy large audience, when II Is con
sidered that this is Holy Week, and in
the house could be seen many Of Rich
mOnds most fashionable people. Not a
few were there who broke their Lenten
resolutions for the first time. so far as
theatre-going is concerned
The opera is the work OF Dekoven,
who has also given the American pubic
such splendid works as The Fencing
Master" The Knickerbockers.' 1t has
three acts, and occupied three full hours
in production
Robin Hood" is sweetly tuneful. II is
full of those graceful melodies which
come to us like the breath Of some pretty
flower and many OF the numbers are,
perhaps the best that can he heard in the
comic opera of to-day. The solos duets,
uuartettes and chOruses are all beautiful
pieces OF composition, and such gems as
"Oh. Promise Me. are exquisite.
As the play indicates, the opera deals
with persCnages who could have existed
shout the time Robin Hood made himself
q terror to travellers, and gives full SCOPE
OF era. There are the peasants OF Not
tingham. the archcrs of Sherwood Forest,
and many other individuals who wore the
picturesque costumes OF mat period.
The company is splendid, the best seen
in Richmond for years, and certainly the
best seen here since Pauline Hall de-
lighted us with "Erminie.'
The prima donna is Caroline Hamilton,
who sang the role Of Maid Marian at
the Garden Theatre, New York, in the
original production. She has d be;Glutul
soprano, a pleasing figure, and not only
sings the part in a truly artistic manner,
but acts ii also.
Jenny Dickerson does "AHan-a-Dale"
splendidly, and admirably renders "Oh,
Promise Me"
Clara Wisdom, who We all remember as
the leader of the silent drills in earle
toms Merry War" acts the part Of Dame
burden I'm "A manner that proves her TO
be as blithe and frivolous as of old.
Ethel Balch as Annabel is piquant and
fun Of brightness She is a dc.sAtful lit
tie actress. as we'll AS a charming singer.
Halen Mostyn as the sheriff proves
the exception that some comic opera
comedians do possess voices, for he has
an excellent baritone which ne uses to
advantage. His wit is refined clean,
and there is a total absence on his part
at buffoOnery or cheap puns and slang
phrases
John Peachey is heard for the first time
this season in America. and sings the role
OF Robin Hood in a mastery manner.
His high baritone is slightly rough at
times. but no fault can be found with
him. He is too much the artist for that.
Frank Pearson, whom Richmond music
lovers should remember he having been
here many times, is excellent rs VIII
Scarlet and sings the anvil solo In a
manner that draws forth unstinted APP
Dlause.
Edwin Isham is good, and r. f. Nichols
as FIiar TUX, does a bit of quiet comedy
work that is but seldom equalled on
the comic opera stage.
The chorus is well trained, sings well,
and wear pleasing costumes. The women
are pretty, and both they and the men
have some l.fe about them. They cont
stand arol nd like so many barber poles.
The orchestra brought here by the Gem
pany is admirably conducted by II II.
Thiele. who has written 50 much music
for GilmOre's, the Marine and other bands.
The musicians are excellent with, perhaps.
the exception of the drummer, who is
rather TOO forte In some Of his work.
The opera will be repeated this even
ing. tomorrow at the matinee and again
in the evening.
An event Of more than usual Interest
to theatre-goers is the coming engage
ment of Daniel Frohman's company at
the Richmond Theatre This excellent
organization will appear there tonight.
The opening play will be The Charity
Ball" and on Saturday, matinee and
night, THE Wife" will be presented.
Both plays are among the best Of those
written by the popular dramatists.
MesAs. Belasco and De Mile. and have
met with great success both in New
York and throughout the country. Both
are modern society comedies. and are
too well-known from previous represen-
tations here 10 require an extended de-
scription.
The company has been carefully Sc
lected with a view to fitness for each
Of the several parts and has had the adj
vantage Of careful rehearsals at the
Lyceum Theatre. New and elaborate
scenery has been provided and the stage
settings arc promised to be Of the best
The principal members Of the company
are: Messrs. Arthur Elliott. w. a. Sands.
Homer Granville, Fred Conger, and the
Misses Charlotte Titteli, Ethel Grey
brooke Blsr che Weaver and Jean Cove.