The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-05-28

Inc Aborn Opera Company had an
suspicious opening in the National The
alter last evening, for it's summer sea-
SON. Every box and seat in the house
and considerable standing room was
hlled' and the company gave an ex-
cellent performance of the familiar and
popular Robin Hood" wlic!i is thor
oughly charming. The company is well
balanced. with good voices among the
principals and n chorus Of fresh youns
voices and young and pretty women.
George rockingham. the original Fri
ar Tuck with the Bostonians in its long
and successful presentation Of the popu-
lar opera, made his usual and old-time
mus CHASING snakes and tosds which es-
cape from his stew-pot. and with his
mock devoutness and comic face.
Next TO Mr.. Frothingham's popular
ity was Huntington May. who appeared
| as viii Scarlet. He is a well-known
church choir and concert singer who has
been I'm the profession only a few years
and attained remarkable success. He
sings the part made famous by Eugene
Cowles. and sings il admirably. His
voice is well adapted 10 the low. pom
derous bass part, and lie acquitted him
self with brilliant success, being re-
called many times TO sin his song Let
Hammer ON Anvil Rims" repeating Il
I good naturedly three times At the
close of this solo, Mr.. May was the
| blushing recipient Of an avalanche of
/ gorgeous blossoms from several organ,
/ lzauons OF which he has either been a
/ member or has at different times as
| sisted. The handsomest of these was
canoe or roses sent b. the Washing
] ton Canoe Club. Mr.. Mays voice is
| musical, rich. sonorous. and powerful.
/ with a splendid range and what IS more
than many great bassos of the past. ne
| keeps TO the key.
Miss Bradford. in Jessie Bartlett Da-
Wis old role Of Alan-a-Dale: Phil Bran
son, in Mr.. Barnabee's old part OF the
Sheriff Of Nottingham and Karl stan.
| In Mr.. MacDonald's former part. all Of
the ''Bostonians'' had ungracious tasks
before them, for involuntarIIy comparf-
sons are made By all old Operagoers with
| this inimitable company with whom this
| opera is so indissolubIy linked. But In
/ spite of this. these artists die mos,
creditable work. and we're each and
| every one good lE his and her part. Miss
| BTadfOrd's mezzo-soprano voice is Iigh.
for the part, but she imDues it with
refinement and e subtle grace. and sings
the tuneful music allotted 10 Alan-a-
Dale with much sweetness. Little Sa-
berry dOrseN was dainty and grace
| fui Anabel, and has light sweet
| voice which is somewhat childish. but
very pleasing, and her gentle shyness
| is quite fascinating
Albert Parr. I'm the title role. was one
Of the best efforts OF the evening. and
| Estelle Wentworth. as Maid Marian
sang some things we'll Miss Wentworth
is badly handicapped with 20 ability tC
! act She has a voice Of much quality
ana great capabilities, but il is filled
with tongue. and she chews her words
/ which makes legatO impossible. He
/ mczzO vOce IN the upper register IS eN
: qusltv. and her gay songs are always
successful. Her voice has 4 splendi,
range and power Albert PARIS mos
/ satisfactory tenor was never heard q
| better advantage than in the music o.
{ Robin Hood" And ne acted Il a.
] well IS he sang. anc looked the part a,
, well as he did both the others. Mr.
Parr was great success.
Agnes Stone. OF the old BostoniaI
company sang her old part with IN,
} same skill as in the original presenta
ton and scored many "a hit. Harrl
| Dale was equally successful in the par
p dience in rOaTs OF laughter along will
the Sheriff. in the second act
The Thinkers chorus in this act mad
more than its usual triumph. and wa
b recalled half dozen times. The cos
, tuning and the staging are both ex
cellent, and the orchestra under tn
dictatorship OF Max Fichandler did bet
ter than many Hgnt opera orchestra
5 do, and Will improve each night. Tn
whole performance Of Robin Hood goe
o. with snap and ease. and altogether IN
AbOrn Opera COmpany's season is des
tined 20 be a brilliant one for Wash
p ingtOu has had no such treat in sum
mer opera since the days OF the OF,
American Opera Company. There was
touch Of sadness to many old light Cd
eragOers when the strains OF ''Oh
Promise Me- were first heard last even
ing. as the two wonderfully gifted an
popular Alan-a-Dales, Jessie Bartlett Da