The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-15

good old Robin Hood" returned to the
Providence Opera house together last
evening to inaugurate the new season
OF lso3-'o4
The visit OF the famous Bostonians
will be brief. closing on Wednesday night
with the production OF the tuneful and
picturesque "Serenade." For this evening
and tomorrow afternoon the bill will be
"Robin Hood"
There Is positively nothing new to be
said about DeKoven and Smiths phe-
nomenal opera. II has beaten all records
OF American operas and. in consideration
OF the fact that it's performances have
been limited TO one organiza tion. II may
be said 10 have beaten all records Of all
operas. Last night was It's 2Ss5th pro-
duction, and so long the Bostonians
are In the service IL will probably con
tinue 10 he the standard OF their roper
tory.
1t is all we'll enough for Frotingclam
20 excite laughter when he drops that
rat into the stew for the twelve or thlr-
teen hundredth time. We believe he did
not begin the feature with the beginning
OF the opera but II ia exceedingly difficult
for the reviewer 20 express In new way
the enthusiasm that the spectacle an
nually arouses, albeit he may feel IL as
keenly as yore. II only remains to state
sung. acted by an organization that for
a quarter Of n century has sought To pro-
duce the best In musical work In the beS'
way. that has survived the musical
comedy era and Stunned many temp
tation 10 depart in any way from legiti-
mate light opera standards and let IL go
ut that.
Barnabee is 10 years old. young and
nimble as hea. Frothlngiam is as
unctious al OF yore. Ma donald was not
In the cast last evening. but he IL still
intact His role OF Little John was ac-
ceptaby sung by Joseph ratlff. who
looked and acted a splendid model for
the statuesque baritone OF the Bo5tonian
corporation. In addition. the organiza-
tion has new faces and new voices The
soprano. Mss Agnes Brown. is perhaps
the best singer OF the role Of Maid Mar
ian, that the Bostonians have presented
for many a season. Her vT're 's OF good
range. is we'll cultivated m "a marvel
ously sweet and appealing Sse Is pretty.
too. and dainty actress. And tae tenor.
contralto and bass principals all contri,
butte greatly TO the purely musical sue
cess OF the production.
There seems 10 be n new equipment
throughout OF scenery and costumes. And
altogether the Bostonans and Robin
Hood" never seemed to he fresher or
more stimulating Scenically. music"lly
and in the FUN making. the production
was az much OF treat rs though this
was its first SON The old familiar
lyrics were applauded again and again
as few songs Of their age could possibly
be I'm this era where novelty cuts so
much figure for the winping OF apprecia-
tion
The opera house auditorium In its nav
dress is brilliant Alwavs one OF the
cosiest and most comfortable theatres
IN the country. the o,d house n~ver look-
ed prettier 'han n aid last night under
the renovstlnr that Manager We del
schaefer has given II this summer n. .
is new curtain and new trainings -
the boxes and new paint over thH ar6'-
torium generally. The brilliant rods ah9'
prevail IN the decoration. as n contract
10 the white end gNif 90 tho nro~ceniu-,
and gallery fronts fll tn house ST. ar
atrosrhe-e of fes''vity and warmth the
is decidedly fetching.