The Detroit times., 1913-11-11
pErRolr oPERA HousE.

O8JUOsu Ope0A HOOSe.
Not often In these days Of the
Tango-patter musical comedy IL an
audience In . theater given the op-
portunity to hear real and delightful
light opera. admirably sung, and there
was no question but that the rarity
was thoroughly appreciated. Monday
evening. In the Detroit opera house,
when revival Of De Koven's roman.
tic Scotch opera, Rob Roy" was
made by the De Koven Opera COM
pany. The theater was filled, and
the applause for the singers. the beau.
tiful stage settings, the Quips of com.
edy and the charming music. was fire.
Quent and hearty.
with q sentimental touch to II, In con-
nection with the performance, lay In
the fact that Rob Roy" had It's pre-
miere 20 years ago. on the same
stage. Fred C. Whitney. brother OF
Bertram G. Whitney, manager of the
Detroit opera house. launching the
opera under his managerial wing.
The opera, for the present revival,
has been richly mounted, and the
various scenes, with the lads and las
sizes I'm the plaids Of the clans, the
red and white uniforms Of the Eng
lish soldiers and the pretty dresses
Of the Village maidens." offer series
Of highly attractive pictures. The
stage groupings are unusually effec-
tive, and INFINITE care has been taken,
evidently, to create and sustain the
complete illusion of the locale and the
period In which the action takes place.
The three settings, an open place be-
fore the house Of the mayor of Perth.
Rob Roy's retreat In the mountains
near Cu1loden field. and Sterling
castle by moonlight, are real triumphs
Of scenic art, to borrow much-abused
and hackneyed phrase. The lighting
Of the scenes Ii managed cleverly,
and the whole effect was proof that
nothing had been left undone in the
minutest detail that could contribute
to an artistic and beautiful produc-
ton.
The slirl Of the pipes and the fing
Of the plaids of the MACPHERSON, CAM
eron, MacGregor. Campbell, MacDon-
aid, and Murray clans, Will gladden.
the soul Of every Scotsman who has
the good fortune TO sec the opera
this week. The 1assies dance the
Highland Fling and the Shawn Trews
to the tune Of the pipes with q grace
and agility that will charm the chill
dren OF Uncle Sam a. completely AZ
the sons and daughters Of the land o
brakes and braes. The purple heath
er blooms on the stage heath 90 real.
istiHally that one can almost sense
it, fragrance.
The company presenting the opera
II one of real singers. Bessie ABBOTT.
pleasing and pretty. and with fresh.
sweet voice trained 80 beautifully 90
to make the coloratura work she does
in one or two Of her numbers really
enjoyable and artistic vocalization
rather than Q mere pyrotechnic on
slaught, as II usually the case. Miss
ABBOTT has the part of Janet Mac
Wheeble whose father, the mayor OF
Perth Jefferson de Angelis) marries
her off-hand to every man who hap
pens by the front gate. She makes
charming picture whether In dainty
dresses or col0rful kits.
James Stevens, a. Rob Roy. has .
baritone voice that IL = Joy to hear.
and he uses It with intelligence and
discretion. The sonorous bass OF
Herbert Waterous IL well-known to
Detroit theatergoers and he had q
congenial role In Lochiel.
James Harrod, ~ bonnie Prince
Charlie" also contributed. to the gen.
eral vocal excellence Of the cast, with
a sweet tenor. and Henriette Wake
field, who made 30 many admirers for
herself when she appeared here last
year 90 Alan-a-Dale In robin Hood"
was altogether charming and vocally
satisfyinR az Flora Macdonald.
Jefferson de Angels. a. Dugald
the "turn-coat" mayor
OF Perth, revelled In the buffoonery
permitted the character and sent the
audience into gale OF laughter every
time It caught sight Of the edge OF
his kilt or the strap on his Tommy
Atkins cap. Mr.. de Angels was
truly comic figure and injected real
humor into a part which gave him
rich opportunity to amuse with comic
antics.
Rob Roy" is Z succession Of de.
lightful solos, duets an dc0ncerted
numbers, and sung a. they are. with
char mand spirit. by the principals
and chorus Of the De Koven company,
offer an evening Of pure delight to
the lover Of light opera at its best.
Rob Roy" will be given Tuesday and
Wednesday evenings and "Wednesday
afternoon and Thursday evening Will
give way to robin Hood" it, COM
panion opera with an English setting.
In the score Of which Reginald De
Koven excelled himself. Robin
Hood will remain the Offering for
the rest Of the week.
ELLA MAE HAWTHORNE
oARRIcK.
Just as Keats sighed for a. beaker
Of the warm south. the blushful Hippo
creme, 90 the reviewer signs for ad-
iectives to describe Emma Trentini,
who 10 singing and pirouetting In The
FREELY" in the 0arrick thoater, this
week. She Isn't very big-just as
high az ones heart, as Shakespeare
once remarked; It's q good phrase,
AMI perhaps hasn't been resurrected
within the last two days. But when
she's on the stage. nobody pays much
attention to his influenza or his Christ
mas shopping list. Everyone Is too
busy straining his eyes for fear he'll
miss some mad, graceful movement.
II isn't necessary to strain the ears;
those organs may remain In luxurious
ease, while the Trentini voice nils
them with delicious sound.
Just a paragraph about that voice.
Nightin gales have been noted for their