Evening star., 1948-09-03
This and That
BIZ Charles Z. Trace1DeH

Very few people will remember. perhaps
the presentation Of Reginald de Kovens Robin
Hood at the National Theater on May g. 1909
The music, however. is known around the
world, mostly due to q tune that was not
IN the musical score at all.
This was the triumphant CO. Promise Mel"
The remainder Of the music is wonderful
There Is scarcely tune, in chorus or else
where, that is not filled with Tilt and melodc
construction of the first order
In looking over an old note book, kept when
q child. we came across the names of the old
songs from that opera, and what memories
they will evoke, for all persons fond of true
melody
"The Milkmaids Song" in Act l, and Hes
All the World to Me-" in Act g. come back
across the years
Then no! for the Merry Green Wood. say T."
That is one of the good tunes along with
'All Is Fair in Love and War;" and the churn-
ing song.
Just as portion of that song comes fine
waltz melody:
Sweetheart, my own sweetheart,
Lift Up tiny bonny eyes"
Act gives the music lover wonderful
bass song, 1T Takes Nine Tailors to Make
Man. also The Song of Brown October Ale"
The T1nker's Song Is known and loved by
all old time musical comedy enthusiasts yet
today very few of the younger music lovers
know IL.
The old friar has a song, "Ho Then for
Jolity," that is excellent. The Armourer's
Song" is another Of the older bass songs which
they did so well in the gay 90s.
Some day the dance bands are going to find
Robin Hood" and give it ride for all it is
worth, and 1t still is worth q great deal
musicaliy speaking.
"Tne Highwayman' is another of de Koven's
operas much given in the days just before
World War I.
Some people called it the "6-8" opera, because
some of its finest songs were written in that
tempo.
Farewell to the Kings Highway" Captain
Scarlet, and Molly Brien" were all such songs
This was the show with the character of
Foxy Quiller in it, a great favorite with the
opera goers OF the not-so-long ago.
I'm London Town" was a magnificent song,
with dance music following, utterly beyond
anything heard today. This is not just nostal-
gia; any one with musical taste can prove it
for himself Dy getting the score and playing it,
And then there was Princess Chic" with
its preposterouS burlesque song, How Are We
to Know?' in which there was take-of on
baseball. The catcher wore bird cage for q
mask, and wash board for a chest protector
=
Victor Herbert musical comedy seldom
heard today, was great favorite with theater
goers of 1909. 1t was 1T Happened in Nord-
land"
This one was a comic opera as distinguished
from musical comedy. The music formed a
true integral part of the whole.
"Absnthe Frappe' was one of the hits
Herbert specialized on waltzes, and this was
one of his best
"Al Fresco." often played today, was in this
opera. "A Knot of Blue is now forgotten but
it remains one of the best melodies Herbert
ever did
Herbert is loved today but not enough. Too
| few of his wonderful tunes are known over the
| radio. There are literally hundreds of them
| in such things THE Wizard of the Nile -
| Algeria THE Fortune Teller" Mile. Mo-
| diste" THE Serenade," and many Others whose
| names, even, are unknown to modern record
| collectors.
Star Light, Star Bright" waltz from "The
Wizard of the Nile" is as beautiful as any he
ever dio.
The chances. however. are that you will
| not know it, if you are not at least So or
maybe co years old.
| IF Only You Were Mine was another sure
| fire hit this one from The Singing Girl
Twilight in Barakeesh," from Algeria -
had one OF the most rousing climaxes ever
heard on the musical stage.
| Some old timers will still think that the
| ooering serenade of Act of The Wizard of
the Nile beginning List to Our Matin Sere-
made is one of the best things Victor Herbert
l sver did