The Washington herald., 1912-11-26
NATIONAL.
..Robin Hood"


Operas may come and operas may go,
but 1t would seem that robin Hood
! will go on forever After more than
1000 performances, the hne old
swashbuckling tale of the gallant out
| law and his "Merrie Men" Of Sher-
wood Forest. fighting for a stolen for
tune, and the attempted theft OF a
bride, was retold last night at the Ma
tional Theater by a remarkable aggre-
cation of singers. An augmented or
chestra and elaborate scenic investment
added to the charm of the splendid re-
vival of music which typifies the man
ners and modes of composers Of quar-
ter OF Il century past
Bessie Abbott came back TO her own
company to sing the role OF Maid Ma
rian in the revival of the De Koven
opera and won great appreciation during
the long run OF the piece at the Knick-
erbocker Theater, in New York. Miss
Abbott has a dainty and magnetic per-
sonality and a clear soprano voice, es-
pecially brilliant in its upper ranges.
When she sang her classic aria last
night she interpolated a sparkling ca
denza which won with three curtain
calls for the number.
FlOTenCe NlCkndIn as Aldn-d-Ddle lldue
a striking figure, and delighted the audi
ence in her rendition of the familiar 20
Promse Me- solo, as well as in THE
Legend of the Chimes"
Herbert Waterous as Will Scarlet gave
rich and sonorous rendition Of THE
ATmorer's Song" and otherwise scored
heavily.
Miss Abott, Miss wickham, and Mr..
waterous are all loaned" to Daniel V.
ArTt fnr he "
the directors of the Metropolitan COM
pany. and a happy loan" 1t is.
Walter Hyde, of Covent Garden, Lon
don, sang the role of Robin Hood" in
admirable voice. while Carl Gantvoort,
of the Boston Grand Opera Company, as
Little John" won a distinct personal
success. Mr.. Gantvoort has a singularly
rich barytone which he handles with
skill.
sylvia Van Dyke was we'll received as
Annabel. the sweetheart OF Alan-a-Dale
Her lyric soprano is of singular sweet
ness. Miss Van Dyke and Philip Shelf
field Guy OF Gisborne) both hail from
the Royal Grand Opera House, Dresden.
Pauline Hall. of ''Erminie'' fame. re-
ceived a hearty welcome as Dame Dur
den, after an absence of many years,
and Edward Stevens. as the sheriff of
Nottingham. created the fun of the even
ing. bringing a surprising originality to
a role which time and tradition has
stereotyped.
The story of Robin Hood has been
told so many times that 1t seems su-
perfiuous to recite it here, particularly
when all available space is needed for
praise OF the admirable cast presenting
the opera and the beauty with which It
is staged.
The first scene shows the market place
in Nottingham. The second scene is laid
in Sherwood Forest whose mysterious
depths lure an audience and create a de-
sire to wander with Robin and his ''Mer-
rie Men" along the seductive woodland
paths. brook babbles over the rocks
into a spring, and the perspective obtain
ed by the scenic artist is exceptionally
fine.
The third and last setting is no less
realistic, revealing the court yard of
the Sheriffs castle. with Will Scarlet in
the disguise of a smithy blowing a bel
lows and forging chains.
The revival of the charming old opera
is one of the most elaborate attempted
since the BOstonians dissolved. The
chorus Is large, the voices are true, and
the tone production beautiful.
We may call 20. Promise Me" senti-
mental. but when we compare It and the
other melodies of Robin Hood to the
latter day operas. particularly those of
the past few years. the word is high
praise
Recent years have brought US so great
an influx of German operettas and musi- |
cal comedies. designedly sensuous and
sensational. self-conscious complex and
insincere, that every lover of music will
welcome the simplicity and romance OF
Robin Hood" as sung by it's capable
cast at the National Theater this week
J. c. MANI.