Evening star., 1902-01-07
AMUsEMENTs.

easily to be seen when the orchestra as
sembled at the New National Theater last
night that the production Of Maid Marian
by the Bostonians was one Of excep-
tional musical moment. At the left, almost
facing the box in which the presidential
party sat, were two bass viols, and when
there are two bass viols 1t is to be taken
for granted that there is an increased COM
pIement Of instruments all along the line
Shortly before the large audience had as
sembled Reginald De Koven appeared as
leader of the orchestra.
The audience applauded.
The opening overture was performed in
spirited manner and revealed rich promise
of fluent melodies and substantial ensem-
bles.
Again the audience applauded.
Mr.. De Koven bowed.
The first act was sung with a vivacity
which fully reflected the vim and earnest
ness of the conductor
Again the audience applauded.
Again Mr.. Koven bowed.
The second act was performed amid in
creasing enthusiasm. The audience was
convinced that an ovation was due some
one and Mr.. De Koven was nearest.
Once more the people appiauded.
Once more Mr.. De Keven bowed, and in
response to demands for a speech very
happily expressed his appreciatio OF the
good will that had been manifested. He
of the company for the manner in which
they had interpreted his work, and said he
was the more gratiied by the demonstra-'
tion because he now regarded Washington
as his home and he felt that the approval
expressed was that Of his townsmen.
Neighbor De Koven was again tumultu-
ously applauded and again made bow.
Maid Marian" is reminiscent. Let us
say 1t and have it over with. The author
and composer set out with the avowed pur-
pose of reviving the impressions of Robin
Hood and some Of the music of the old
opera is dextrously used in almost it's lden-
tical form. to introduce the Sheriff as he
comes forward to renew acquaintance. The
remininscence which turks in the music
may not be altogether intentional. The ex-
pert may be able to trace some Of the mel
odies in Maid Marian" to more or less
remote ancestry, but they are worked out
able, and their present form and purpose
are the important considerations The Sc
lection of a theme wherever he might find
it has always been considered the musi-
clans prerogative, provided he is able to
individualize it in the treatment. The num-
bers which engaged the attentions Of the
chorus were especially tuneful. They would
be worthy the best efforts of any old-time
choir of gleemen. The numbers in this class
abound notably in fine solid unison pas
sages. which sprinkle off at the finish into
brilliant and profuse harmonies, like the
spangles at the tail of a skyrocket.
act by an announcement by the chorus to
the effect that the dew is on the heather
and 1t is the autumn weather. Librettist
Harry b. Smith and the scene painter evil
IDENTIFY did not arrive at an agreement on
this point, for the foliage is assertively
vernal in it's character. But it would be
unreasonable to seek to hamper a comic
opera with calendar.
One of the finest songs in the piece Is
Allan c. Hinckley's tribute to the contents
of the wine cellar without which no eX-
ploitation of the Sherwood foresters would
be complete. Grace Van Studdeford had
several ambitious numbers which she sang
with brilliant effect, while Adele Rafter and
Frank Rushworth and w. H. Macdonald
all contributed excellent work to the in
terpretation Belle Harper had a pretty
song about the mistletoe bough in the last
act, which elected numerous encores for
her. The company is one of the best
equipped singing organizations, both as to
principals and chorus, that has visited
this city in long time.
H. c. Barnabee was lavishly supplied
with comedy lines, and George B. Froth-
ingham also contributed materially to the
laughs. The piece was presented with the
liberality as to cOstuming characteristic of
all productions under the direction of Klaw
& Erlanger.
COLUMBIA THEATER.-The playgoers
at the Columbia Theater last night ac-
counted themselves doubly fortunate. They
most what is announced to be Stuart Rob-
sons farewell production of 1.-The Hen
rietta' and had heard him announce be-
fore the curtain that yesterday was the
golden anniversary Of his debut behind the
footlights. The audience appreciated the
honor attached to being present on an oc-
casion so auspicious to Mr.. Robson, who
has long been the same favorite in Wash
ington that he is elsewhere throughout the
United States. The announcement came as
a great surprise and set the people agoS
with reminscence first and then with as
tonishment. half century on the stage.
1t seemed hardly credible that a man IN
the near neighborhood of three score years
and ten should portray with such youthful
enthusiasm and energy a juvenile ch&rac-
ter. BERTHE, the lamb two and twenty
years of age perhaps, the gilded youth with
his gorgeous many-hued dressing gown,
his startling yellow silk half-hose and tow
erinS linen collar, was, in the hands of Mr.
Robson, the "Bertie" as he might have
looked the part down to the last detail and
to say that he acted 1t with delightful
drawl and gave it the atmosphere of
wealthy Incidence, is but to renew the i'm
of all prominent theatergoers of a decade
past. Into the life of every actor of prom
inence there comes at one time or another
q character which seems to dominate his
entire future career. The character is one
which apparently strikes the public fancy
and will be demanded time and time again
Such is the BERTHE" of Mr. Robson. AS
previously stated, the present is announced
as his farewell tour in Bronson Howard's
clever comedy, but the chances are he will
yield to the wishes of the people and play
it again before his long and notable career
on the stage is ended 1t Is not dff1cult to
see what the public wants in Mr. Robson's
case. This has been one of his most sue
cessful seasons and last night the Luckett
and Dwyer playhouse was filled from floor
to gallery.
This is the first time I have been before
the curtain this season. said Mr.. Robson
last evening in responding to a wild &C.
claim for speech after the second act II
hold that to do so interferes seriously with
the tenor Of a character and interrupts the
true course of the play. But have made
an exception tonight because of the fact
that 1t is the fiftieth anniversary of my
first appearance on the STAGE burs. of
applause followed the sentence. Mr.. Rob-
son stood for a moment as If waiting for
the tumult to cease but the enthusiasm of
the audience continued and in the midst
of the tumult he bowed himself back into
the wings and was gone. 1t was regretted
by many that Mr.. Robson did not continue
They knew that he might tell a story Of
stage life Of intense interest, dating back
to the early fifties when he ambitiously
laid down his printers stick and pro-
claimed himself an actor. They knew he
might tell many an amusing anecdore Cne