Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-12-04
AMusEM ENrs.
robin Hood" Tunsful oskovsn Opera,
Dsliohts Odeon Audience.

The old familiar airs OF reginald De-
Koven's Robin Hood" one OF the old
time popular light operas, were heard at
the Odeon Wednesday night when the
DeKoven Opera Company, headed by
a group Of strong principals, sang the
tuneful music and presented Harry b.
Smiths wholesome comedy.
Six strong principals were presented
by Daniel " Arthur in his present.
season company that is reviving the
opera first made popular by the cele-
b1ated Bostonions of quarter century
or more ago. Included among these
was one of the original cast. the veter-
an comedian, George B. rockingham
who created the role of F'riar Tuck.
Now, past the allotted time of mans
years, rockingham appears as the
jolly old friar as tho he were an AMI
bilious youngster, about to make his re-
putation.
Heading the cast is Enrica Clay, a
dashing prima donna who has become
known in grand opera. but is appearing
in light opera for the first time this
season. Miss Clay is full of life. clev-
er actress, and put all the vim possible
in her role of Maid Marian. She pos
sesses a soprano voice Of much volume
and flexibility and wide range. Her
duet, There Will Come Time" with
Misha F'eranzo. the young Russian ten
or in the title role. was the gem of the
opening act Miss Clay also sang a
difficult solo number, The Forest
Song" in the second act. Feranzo. han
Cicapped for American presentation
of opera thru his broken English. made
up what he may have lacked in his act
ing and enunciation by his fine voice.
Sara Sherman Maxon. contralto,
former Cedar Rapids girl. displayed
fine quality of tone in her voice as AL
lan-a-Dale. Especially well did she sing
the old favorite love song, 20 Promise
Me-" Helena Morrill,, soprano, in the
ingenue role of Annabel, sang very
sweetly when a Maiden Webs" Miss
Morrill, is a former Aborn Opera Com
pany secondary principal. and was here
last in THE Bohemian Girl"
To the male principals Of the bass
section however fell the vocal honors
of the evening, and no two better
voices could have been desired than
the bass of Jerome Daley as Will
Scarlet. and the BARITONE of Joseph
Parsons as Little John Mr.. Daley
sang most exduisitely THE Tail9r's
Song" and THE Armorer's Song" in
the second and thlrd acts. ana MT. fdr
sons was equally pleasing in the ever
popular Brown October Ale" in the
second act The male sertet. "Pastoras
Glee." by Feranzo, Sid Branam. Phil
Branson, Parsons, rockingham. and
Daley, was another Of the real musical
gems Of the opera.
Aiding rockingham materially In
the comedy Of the opera were the roles
Of the sheriff of Nottingham and Guy
Of Osborne, essayed by Phil Branson
and Sid Braham. Branson an old oper-
attic tenor, and one Of the stars OF
thirty-five years ago. showed that he
was still equal to the comedy, 1t not
the voice. Braham, seen here with
Naughty Marietta" sang very we'll
The choruses were of high class, and
the costuming in keeping with the Eng
lish life of the Third Crusade period.
the historical setting for the story.
The audience. much under what the
company deserved, received the pro-
duction most enthusiastically. and the
principals were recalled many times
during the evening.