Reginald de Koven's operetta Robin Hood was a hit with audiences when it premiered in 1891, although critics found the music to be derivative. After Hollywood started churning out versions of the story, the operetta fell to the wayside. The Ohio Light Opera has resurrected it, finally giving modern listeners a chance to judge for themselves. The music does sound most of the time like Gilbert and Sullivan, especially in the choruses, but there are also arias that reflect de Koven's Paris training and elements, such as the ...
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Reginald de Koven's operetta Robin Hood was a hit with audiences when it premiered in 1891, although critics found the music to be derivative. After Hollywood started churning out versions of the story, the operetta fell to the wayside. The Ohio Light Opera has resurrected it, finally giving modern listeners a chance to judge for themselves. The music does sound most of the time like Gilbert and Sullivan, especially in the choruses, but there are also arias that reflect de Koven's Paris training and elements, such as the waltzy end of the Act Two Sextet. The libretto does not always mesh well with the music. Often, within one musical phrase, a sentence ends and another begins. The second act Finale is almost absurd as the joyful-sounding company puts the Sheriff of Nottingham in stocks. However, it is hard to judge the quality of the music when the performance and recording are less than ideal. Most of the singing is fine, with the exception of Maid Marian, Dominique McCormick, who is painfully not up...
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