De Koven, Reginald (1859-1920), an American composer, became known for his operettas. He also wrote more than 200 songs and was a highly regarded classical music critic for several magazines and newspapers. From 1887 to 1913, De Koven composed 26 operettas. His greatest success was Robin Hood (1890). It includes his most popular songs, “Brown October Ale” and “Oh, Promise Me.” He wrote two grand operas, The Canterbury Pilgrims (1917) and Rip Van Winkle (1920), as well as music for piano, orchestra music, and music for a ballet. Henry Louis Reginald De Koven was born on April 3, 1859, in Middletown, Connecticut. He died on Jan. 16, 1920.
