Midsummer Night’s Dream

Event Information

Venue(s):
Olympic Theatre

Proprietor / Lessee:
James E. [manager, proprietor] Hayes

Conductor(s):
Anthony, Jr. Reiff

Event Type:
Play With Music

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
23 January 2017

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

16 Dec 1867, 8:00 PM
17 Dec 1867, 8:00 PM
18 Dec 1867, 8:00 PM
19 Dec 1867, 8:00 PM
20 Dec 1867, 8:00 PM
21 Dec 1867, 1:30 PM
21 Dec 1867, 8:00 PM

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
Text Author: Shakespeare
Participants:  George Washington Lafayette Fox (role: Bottom);  Rosa Cooke [soprano] (role: Oberon, with singing);  William Davidge, unidentifiable (role: Quince)
2)
aka Midsummer night's dream
Composer(s): Mendelssohn-Bartholdy
3)
aka Gentle lark; Lo! Here the gentle lark
Composer(s): Bishop
Participants:  Rosa Cooke [soprano]

Citations

1)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 15 December 1867.
2)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 17 December 1867.
3)
Review: New York Herald, 17 December 1867, 5.

“The ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ still maintains its spell upon a very large audience. The admirable manner in which it is produced at the Olympic gives us such a nice appreciation of this charming Shakespearian fantasy that the public seem never to tire of it. Last night there was a new Oberon, Miss Rosa Cooke taking the part originally filled by Miss Fanny Stockton.  Miss Cooke made a most acceptable fairy king, and in her vocalism did not disappoint those to whom her efforts in concert are familiar. Among the novelties introduced last night was Sir Henry Bishop’s difficult but favorite ballad, ‘Lo, Hear the Gentle Lark,’ which, barring a little nervousness, Miss Cooke sang very well, and had to submit to a very cruel though persistent encore. Her acting, too, must be commended for its ease and a little dash of spirit which gave considerable piquancy to the part. All the spectacular effects and fine costuming which have rendered the presentation of the ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at this theatre so characteristic, as well as attractive, are maintained with a fidelity which, added to the really good acting, must tend to keep the play on the stage for a protracted season.”

4)
Review: New-York Times, 19 December 1867, 4.

“Miss ROSA COOKE has reappeared on the stage after a couple of years’ absence, and has succeeded Miss FANNY STOCKTON in the rôle of Oberon in the spectacle at the Olympic. As Oberon has little else to do than sing prettily some very charming airs of MENDELSSOHN’S composition and to look as pretty and fairy-like as it is possible for mortal nature to do, and as Miss COOKE is eminently capable of answering those requirements, her début in the new rôle has been a success.  ‘Loh! The Lark’—one more air than MENDELSSOHN composed—has been added to the rest of Oberon’s musical duties, and that Miss COOKE has sung to the evident delight of the fine audiences which have heard her, and which still continue to crowd to the Olympic to see the ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream.”