Maid Marian
Musical in 3 acts: Music by Reginald de Koven; Libretto by Harry B. Smith
Chestnut Street Opera House, Philadelphia, PA - November 4th. 1901
Synopsis
Act 1
In the market square in Nottingham, England, villagers are singing and dancing about the first day of May ("Mayday") and "Tis the Morning of the Fair". Friar Tuck, an overweight comic character, sings "As an Honest Auctioneer" about selling goods including a suit of clothes. The milkmaids sing the "Milkmaid's Song" about how wonderful their life is, followed by Allan a Dale who sings about real milkmaids being overworked. Robin Hood and his archers arrive and the chorus sings "Come the Bowmen in Lincoln Green" (the color of their costumes) and their ideal life in the woods and are welcomed to an archery contest. Allan a Dale gets into an argument (in song) with Robin about love and kissing. Friar Tuck joins the argument and one of the milkmaids, Maid Marian sings "I Came As a Cavalier". Robin Hood and Maid Marian sing a duet "Though It Was Within This Hour We Met".
The Sheriff of Nottingham appears and announces his plan to arrange a marriage of his nephew Guy of Gisborne to the beautiful Maid Marian. The Sheriff sings a boastful song "I am the Sheriff of Nottingham" that labels him as the villain. Sir Guy and the Sheriff sing a duet about how Sir Guy should ask Marian to marry him. Maid Marian sings about another boyfriend named Colin while the Sheriff instructs Sir Guy to sing to Marian "Sweetheart, my own sweetheart. Lift up thy bonny eyes". Robin Hood and the bowmen return and sing about all the prizes they won in the archery contest. Because Robin is to receive his inheritance today, they go to the Sheriff's residence, knock on the door, and demand that the Sheriff declare Robin Hood's title of Earl, title to his land, and cash. The Sheriff comes to the door and refuses all demands and declares "No Earl are you, you vain, presumptuous youth." and produces forged documents proving that Sir Guy is the Earl. Little John sings to Robin "Come to Sherwood, join our jolly crew." Robin and his friends exit singing "Away to the woods".
Act 2
In Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood and his friends have gathered. Songs include "O Cheerily Sounds the Hunter's Horn", "The Tailor and the Crow", "Brown October Ale", the "Tinker's Song", "O See the Lambkins Play" (a drinking song), and "Ho then for Jollity" (drinking song). Marian sings the "Forest Song" dreaming of Robin. Robin sings a serenade "A Troubadour Sang to His Love". Allan a Dale plans revenge for losing Marian to Robin. The Sheriff, who was pursuing Robin's followers as outlaws, is himself captured by them and they sing "Put him in the stocks. He is captive, our enemy, we win the game." Dame Durden sings to the Sheriff: "Faithless one, you're in a gruesome plight." But Sir Guy arrives with soldiers and overpowers Robin's men. Sir Guy and the Sheriff sing "We're brave as lions, for we're two to one." and "Sing hey for the gallows tree". Robin sings "You have no power to take my life. Marian must be my wife. It is the king's command." The Sheriff replies "The King's command is for the Earl of Huntington. The Earl of Huntington is Guy, and Guy will bridegroom be." All return to Nottingham.
Act 3
In the courtyard of the Sheriff's castle, Will Scarlet the blacksmith sings the "Armourer's Song". Annabel sings about the coming wedding of Marian to Guy, and Allan a Dale sings the "Legend of the Chimes" in expectation of Robin's funeral. Robin and Marian sing a sad song pledging their love for each other. The Sheriff and Friar Tuck sing a duet about the "pains and pangs" of life. Robin and his men are in the courtyard of the castle where Robin finds King Richard the First who arrived home from the Crusades. Robin receives a pardon from King Richard and the return of his land. The Sheriff and Sir Guy sing about "A pardon from the King... Yes you are free".
Musical Numbers
ACT I - The Park surrounding the Castle of the Earl of Huntington.
- Overture
- No. 1 - Introduction and Opening Chorus - "The morn is dawning bright and clear, a morning meet to hunt the deer; the horns I hear resounding near, so near..."
- No. 2 - Song - Lady Vivian and Chorus - "Annabel was fairest of the village maidens, and she knew she was fair ... All fair maids well know that they are fair..."
- No. 3 - Song - Scarlet, Friar Tuck and Chorus - "The cellar is dark and the cellar is deep. (Ho, drink, lads, with a will) My lord of the hall goodly liquor doth keep..."
- No. 4 - Song - Marian and Chorus - "Let one who will go hunt the deer in covert close; so will not I. E'en tho' I love the echo clear..."
- No. 5 - Entrance and Song - Sheriff and Chorus - "With lordly pomp and lordly pride..." then, "I am the Sheriff mild and good, identified with Robin Hood..."
- No. 6 - Song - Little John and Men - "Now lads I will sing to ye all a song of the forest so cool and so green ... Sing on, my lad, of forest cool and green..."
- No. 7 - Madrigal - "Love may come, and love may go, straying ever where it will; resting never, wand'ring still, and never for a moment staying..."
- No. 8 - Trio - Vivian, Little John and Dame - "When a woman fain would marry, if her swain's inclined to tarry, it's because she doesn't know just how to treat him."
- No. 9 - Finale Act I - "Now's the time for our preparing fond farewells to say, for the soldiers go today to the wars away; our friends depart today..."
ACT II - The Camp of the Crusaders in the desert, with the city of Acre in the distance.
- No. 9a - Entr'Acte - The Crusader's March.
- No. 10 - Opening Chorus - "Here in the camp we wait for the battle, one and all, one and all. Here in bivouac awaiting for the fray. The hours in camp are gay..."
- No. 11 - Song - Scarlet and Chorus - "A pious monk once tried to teach to an old magpie the art of speech. From pray'r and penance he'd keep away..."
- No. 12 - Song - Robin and Chorus - "When the red sun sinks and the grey owl blinks full of joy at the coming night, then the outlaw lad through the forest goes..."
- No. 13 - Serenade - Sheriff and Chorus - "Go on and give us advice, your advice bestow on us, la, la, la ... When a man is in love, if he'll take my advice..."
- No. 14 - Trio - Robin, Scarlet, Little John and Male Chorus - "The man at arms is a terror in a fight, and the carnage of war is his heart's delight..."
- No. 15 - Song - Alan-a-Dale - "Through all the years thy faith unbroken has shown to me how true thou art; thy gentle glances oft have spoken, and told more..."
- No. 16 - Snake Charmer's Song - Marian and Chorus - "See where the serpent charmer fair calls forth the cobra from its lair. Do not fear; though it come near..."
- No. 17 - Quartet - Sheriff, Dame, Guy and Tuck - "If you were I and I were you, sing marry come up for the change there would be. I'd rather be myself than you..."
- No. 18 - Duet - Marian and Robin - "All the time of parting o'er, how sweet to meet thee; days of separation seem now but a passing dream..."
- No. 19 - Song - Robin and Men - "Guard ye the banner of St George ... That will I! ... Guard well the standard we adore ... That will I! The trust that's given me..."
- No. 20 - Finale Act II - "Lead on, Moslems! Saracens, your foe is there. Lead on, Moslems! You will take him unaware. Allah will direct each arm..."
ACT III - The great Banqueting Hall of Huntington Castle on Christmas Day.
- No. 20a - Entr'Acte II - Saracen Patrol.
- No. 21 - Intro. and Ensemble - "God save ye merry gentlemen, God save ye merry gentlemen, God save ye merry gentlemen, and give ye Christmas cheer..."
- No. 22 - Song - Lady Vivian and Chorus - "Colin was only a shepherd lad, but soothly a goodly lad was he; and sorry to say, in a foolish way he longed for a lady..."
- No. 23 - Sextet - Robin, Guy, Sheriff, John, Tuck, Scarlet - "Two bluebottle flies went out one day for a pleasant walk together and they lit on the head of a cobbler."
- No. 24 - Finale Act III - "Now chime the wedding bells. Let wedding bells merrily ring. Ring on! Oh, the clink and the clank of the sword has charms in the ear..."
Cast
- Robert of Huntington (Robin Hood) (tenor)
- The Sheriff of Nottingham (baritone)
- Sir Guy of Gisborne, a ward of the sheriff (tenor)
- Little John, outlaw (baritone)
- Will Scarlet, outlaw, blacksmith and armourer (bass)
- Friar Tuck, outlaw clergyman (bass)
- Allan A-Dale, outlaw (contralto)
- Lady Marian Fitzwalter (Maid Marian) (soprano)
- Dame Durden, a widow (mezzo-soprano)
- Annabel, Durden's daughter (soprano)
the chorus