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Robin Hood (Macfarren) facts for kids

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Robin Hood is an English opera with three acts. An opera is like a play where the story is told mostly through singing, with music played by an orchestra. George Alexander Macfarren wrote the music, and John Oxenford wrote the words, called the libretto. The opera was first performed in London on October 11, 1860. It tells a famous story about the legendary hero, Robin Hood.

Main Characters in the Opera

Here are the main people you'll meet in the story:

  • Robin Hood (who sometimes pretends to be Locksley) - He sings in a tenor voice, which is a high male voice.
  • Marian (the Sheriff's daughter) - She sings in a soprano voice, which is a high female voice.
  • Sir Reginald d’Bracy (the Sheriff of Nottingham) - He sings in a baritone voice, a medium male voice.
  • Hugo (the Sompnour, who collects money for the Abbey) - He sings in a bass voice, which is a very low male voice.

The Story of Robin Hood

Act I: A Busy Day in Nottingham

The High Street of Nottingham

The story begins in the lively High Street of Nottingham. You can see armourers working hard at their forges, making metal goods. Women are spinning yarn, and some young people like Allan and Alice are playfully flirting.

Soon, Robin Hood appears, but he's in disguise! He's pretending to be a regular person named Locksley. He meets Marian, who is the daughter of the Sheriff of Nottingham. They have a quiet conversation, but the Sheriff overhears them. The Sheriff says he will let Locksley marry Marian if Locksley can prove he's a great archer at tomorrow's fair.

The Sheriff then makes an announcement, offering a reward for anyone who can capture the famous outlaw, Robin Hood. He doesn't realize that Robin Hood, disguised as Locksley, is standing right there!

Next, the Sompnour enters. He's a man who collects money for the abbey from the local people. He asks the Sheriff for protection while he travels through the forest, because it can be dangerous. Allan, one of the townspeople, can't afford to pay his taxes. The Sheriff orders him to be put in the stocks, a device used to punish people in public. The townspeople protest, but the Sheriff won't listen.

Locksley (Robin Hood) steps forward and pays Allan's taxes for him, so Allan is set free. As the sun begins to set, the Sompnour and the Sheriff leave for the castle. Locksley and Marian share a moment, telling each other how much they care, before they also leave.

Act II: Adventures in Sherwood Forest and Nottingham Fair

Scene 1: The Trysting Tree in the Greenwood

Deep inside Sherwood Forest, under the moonlight, Robin Hood's "Merrie Men" are relaxing by a special meeting tree. They've been working hard and now they're roasting a big deer over a fire.

Robin Hood arrives and tells Little John that the Sompnour is expected to travel through the forest soon. They decide to set a trap! The outlaws hide, while Robin, Little John, and Much (the miller's son) dress up as shepherds and pretend to tend to the fire.

The Sompnour appears with his guards. He tells them to arrest the "shepherds" for stealing the King's deer. Robin and his friends pretend to be humble and ask for mercy. But the Sompnour is stern and refuses.

Suddenly, Robin throws off his disguise and blows his horn! The Sheriff's men get scared and run away, leaving the Sompnour to be captured. Much suggests they hang the Sompnour, but Robin, being kind, invites him to supper instead. However, the Sompnour has to pay for his meal very generously! To avoid being hanged, he also has to dance for the outlaws' entertainment.

Scene 2: Marian's Private Room

Marian watches the sun rise, hoping that her lover, Locksley, will be a great archer and win her father's approval. The Sheriff comes in and encourages her.

Much then tells the Sheriff that Robin Hood will be at the fair and asks for the reward. But the Sompnour, who was captured by Robin Hood in the forest, recognizes Much and tells the Sheriff. Much is taken away. The Sompnour then disguises himself as a friar (a type of monk) and promises to find Robin Hood and claim the reward himself. The Sheriff agrees to this plan.

Scene 3: The Fair Outside Nottingham

The scene changes to a lively fair outside Nottingham, full of sports, dancing, and games. Robin, still disguised as Locksley, spots the Sompnour. He tells Allan to get rid of him. After a dance, Allan blindfolds the Sompnour to play a game called "Hoodman Blind" (like blind man's bluff).

The archery contest begins, and Locksley shows off his amazing skill. Because he wins, he can now claim Marian's hand in marriage. But then, the Sompnour returns! He recognizes Locksley and shouts that he is the infamous Robin Hood! In the chaos, Robin is seized by the Sheriff's men and led away.

Act III: Robin's Fate and Freedom

Scene 1: The Castle Garden

Allan and Alice are sad, talking about how Robin Hood is going to be executed the next day. Alice tells the Sheriff that Marian has escaped from her room. The Sompnour arrives, wanting to claim his reward. But first, the Sheriff tells him to go to the King to get an official paper for Robin Hood's execution.

Scene 2: The Greenwood at Noon

Marian appears in the forest, dressed as a boy. She tells the outlaws that Robin is going to be executed. She then leads them towards the castle to rescue him.

Scene 3: Robin's Prison Cell

Robin is alone in his prison cell, feeling very worried about what will happen to him. Then, he hears Marian and his Merrie Men singing outside! This gives him new hope.

Scene 4: The Castle Courtyard

Robin is brought out from the castle. He is given time to confess his "sins." When his arm is freed, he quickly blows his horn to signal his loyal followers. They appear, led by Marian, ready to free him. But they are overpowered by the Sheriff's men.

However, the paper that everyone thought was a death warrant (an order for execution) is actually a pardon! This means Robin and his men are forgiven, on the condition that they join the King's service. The Sheriff finally agrees to Robin and Marian getting married, and everyone rejoices!

Recordings

You can listen to a recording of this opera:

  • In 2010, a recording was made with Nicky Spence as Robin Hood/Locksley, Kay Jordan as Marian, George Hulbert as the Sheriff, and Louis Hurst as the Sompnour. It features the John Powell Singers, Victorian Opera Chorus and Orchestra, conducted by Ronald Corp (released by Naxos).
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