Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-01-21

Mr. Frothinghams health improved and
the long trip that the company made
from Quebec to burlington, arriving here
at nearly midnight Sunday, he seemed
not to mind at all. Monday morning
he visited the theatre with Mrs Froth-
ingham to inquire for his mail, and in the
afternoon had a nap Mrs. rockingham
did not attend the performance Monday
evening. and when her husband returned
after the play he looked so happy and
we'll that she asked him what had hap
pened to make him ten years younger.
He answered. II had a splendid recep-
ton this evening, there was a big audi
ence and everything went finely"
Shortly before 500 yesterday morning
Mrs rockingham noticed her husbands
heavy breathing, hut was not at first
alarmed. Becoming worried She remark
ed, GLOW heavily YOU are breathing.
George" and was unable to rouse him.
SHE summoned help, but Mr.. Frothing-
ham died before a physician arrived.
The body was removed to the undertake
ing rooms Of Frank J. Dwyer.
MR. FROTHINGHAMS CAREER.
George BYRON Frothneham was born
soph and Mary O. (Sampsom Froth,ng-
ham. He did not come of a theatrical
family. hut early went upon the stage.
His connection with the famed Boston,
ians came about in an interesting way.
He was playing Dick Deadeye In pima
fore" with an opera company in Boston
called the Laurent company, At that
time the Boston Ideal Opera company.
included Henry Clay Banabee. now
60 years old. Adelaide Phillips, and
Myron w. Whitney. basso. The latter
went to the theatre where rockingham
was appearing In "Pinafore' and was so
impressed by his performance that he
hastened to the manager of the Boston
Ideal Opera company. then preparing 10
appear in 'Pinafore." and urged the en-
gagement OF Frothingham, saying he
was the ideal Dick. Mr.. rockingham
was secured and appeared with great
success when the company opened It's
season. Eight years later, in 1857 the
organization became the Rostonians, and
OF all their successes robin Hood" was
the greatest. Victor Herbert's THE Sere-
made" was also warmly received and in
this, as in the many pieces produced by
the company, Mr.. rockingham played a
prominent role.
But II was as Friar Tuck that Mr.
Frothlngham was best loved and II was
fitting therefore, that the final curtain
should come down upon that wholly de-
liGhtful creation.
Those who saw his last appearance
will remember It, 1t was a capital per-
Torrance, full Of vim and rich humor
Frlar Tuck is not Sat" part but Mr..
rockingham so embroidered it and en-
riched IT with his art that 1t is one OF
the most vivid impressions one carries
away from the good old opera And his
last performance showed no hating
spirit, although It would seem as though
he must have weared Of the repetition
of the play.
A notable revival OF robin Hood"
was made In the spring and summer OF
1912, when he appeared at the Knicker-
booker theatre in New York with cast
of singers gathered from the forces OF
the big grand opera houses. That was
n memorable cast and rockingham held
his own with them all The company
numbered Bella Alien Of the Metropoli-
tan in New York, Walter Hyde. tenor,
of the Covent Garden house in London,
Carl Gantvort OF the Boston Grand
Opera company. Herbert Waterous OF
the Metropolitan, Florence Wickham.
contrslto, Of tho Metropolitan. Pauline
Hall and Edwin Stevens Later Bessie
ABBOTT became the Maid Marian. At the
end OF the second season OF the re-
vival the company presented Mr.. Froth-
ingham with n big silver loving cup.
On October %, 1864, Mr.. rockingham
married Maria u. GIN Of Boston. and
last October they celebrated their gol-