The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-04-28

~HE President and AIRS. Roosevelt
have the past week inaugurated
the series of spring entertain
ments usually given this season
Of the year at the While House.
Two evening functions have been given,
al both Of which the guests were enter
tanned by musical selections. interspersed
with explanatory talks. This week there
viii be another evening gathering al the
White House which viii take the form o.
a reception It VIII be preceded by
dinner. and at both the dinner and the
reception many of the guests will be re-
cruited from the diplomatic corps.
The nrst musicale this past week at the
White House was an entertainment at
which two or three hundred guests were
asked 10 listen 70 what may be called lHe
first American opera, which has been
composed by Mr.. Arthur Neyin, the theme
of his composition being an Indian legend,
something entirely different from all other
operas. ana theme as yet untouehed'
Mr.. Nevin played selections Of the
opera which is called Poia after an Illus
trated talk had been given by Mr. Walter
McClintock, who has spent much time
among tile Indians studying their folk
songs and legends.
Tho story Of this interesting opera Is
tsle of the Blackfeet Indians, and is as
follows:
The scene in the first act shows the
tribal camp of the Blackfeet on the pral
rics. with the snow peaks OF the Rocky
Mountains in the distance. Poia, a youns
man of humble origin, is scorned by the
tribe on account of the mystery sur
rounding his birth. AID is ridiculed be
cause Of the strange scar which distisurel
his face lie has deep and apparently
hopeless love for Natoya. the daughter o
d prominent chief, and the most beautli"
woman of the tribe. NatOya loves Su
matsi. q noted warrior and huater, but q
man OF evil heart In order 10 De rid CO.
Po.a. she tells him she will not accep
him Us her lover. unless he removes th
scar from his face. Ia despair, Poi,
seeks the advice of Nenahu, a kind an'
wise medicine woman She reveals q
him that the sun god placed the sea-
upon his face and that only the SUI
god can remove it, Poia starts on
Journey TO seek the home of the sun.
In act . Poia IS seen at daybreak In
deep forest among the mountains Ii
has endured many hardships and passe,
through great dangers. lie is dis
heartened ana almost exhausted. Whe'
he sees the sun rising Failing on hi
knees. he suddenly beholds the sun go
seated in his court, surrounded by hi
followers. chanting together in wor
ship. Poia remains in the court, an
wins favor with the sun and the moon
his wife. by saving the life of mornin
star. their only son. The SUB god 81
moves the scar from Poia's face, an
bids him return t5 earth bearing 70 hi
people pardon for thelr sins, and 20 DIT
struct them in tine worship of the SUI
moon. and morning star When foi
leaves the sky. morning star shows hin
the wolf trail tmilSy way, the shoI
path TO the earth and gives him
magic flute and a wonderful song tina
viii enable him to win the heart Of IN
maiden he loves.
The last act depicts the misfortun
which continually follows the Biaekfe'
after Poia's departure
The curse that he bore alone fell upo
the tribe They are seen camped on tt
prafrles close TO the mountains i'm II
moon OF flowers date sprlngl TT
people blame Natoya for the troubles tina
have come upon them, but in her con
nlete infatuation for Sumatsi she does n'
heed their taunts.
During a love scene between Natoy
and Sumatsi the magic song of Poia
heard in the distance. Natoya is e.
trauced. A new pure love for Poia ei
tiers her heart and with 1t comes sudde
feeling Of reyulsion toward Sumatsi. Pc
returns TO the Blackfeet bearing the sU
gods message, and is welcomed by Il
tribe as a great prophet. Natoya, no
realizing her own unworJhiness, seel
Poia's blessing. Sumatsi comes upC
them together. and. in a jealous rag
strives 20 kill Poia. But Natoya shiei'
his body and herself receives a dea1
wound. Sumatsi again attempts 10 x
Pola. but the heavens open and the 81
god appears. He strikes down Sumat
with q bright shaft of light and cal
POia and Natoya 10 the sky. Bearing q
dying Natoya in his arms. Poia noun
upward toward the sun and disappea
from sight all the people kneeling in aY
and reverence.
The second musicale was no less int
esung and was quite as unusual. It "
given by Miss Corrie Scheffer. violini:
and pupil of Ysaye. who was accor
panied by Miss Blakely. Both YOU
women wore the quaint dress of the Dut'
peasants.
The Dutch Minister, Mr.. van Swindere
who. with Nine van Swinderen. gave
dinner before, acted as interpreter.
The Mask and Wig Club of the Ur
versity Of Pennsylvania gave their a