The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-03

Mr. Nevin is a national figure in
musical circles and something of a
pioneer in the work of the compost
ton of successful American opera.
'-Poita" was performed in the Royal
opera house at Berlin, under the di-
rect patronage of Emperor William
about ten years ago. At that time
the musical magazines of Dresden
were greatly perturbed that they had
not insisted that the opera be given
il their city that Dresden, instead of
Berlin. might be known as the city
where foreign art was assured of full
recognition.
The opera ''Poita" is an Indian
story. and the musical materials for
its setting were gathered by Mr..
NeVin during a residence of many
months among some of the western
indians, where he lived the camp life
of the tribe. He explained that the
Blackfeet, the most primitive surviv-
ors of the race, do not sing any words
with their music, and it is his opinion
that such was the custom of all early
Indians, until they learned to put
words and music together from the
Spaniards in the south and the French
in the north. Hence, thru his opera
he has a number of songs that are
written without words. and sung with
"A peculiar information of unconnected
syllables.
The Hbretto that Mr. Nevin has
chosen for his opera is a poem of lofty
sentiment and beauty of expression
The author of it is a close friend of
the composer, and much of their work
is done together.
The opera is in three acts. and the
story centers about the life of the
tribes great prophet, who is despised
by reason of a Disagreement thru
which the sun god is laying on him
the sins of his people because they
have forsaken their ancient sun wor-
ship. touch of common huma nifty
is given to the prophet by his love of
the daughter of the chief. The sec
ond act takes up the journey of the
prophet to the sun god, his service to
his deity. the removal of his scars and
his return to the tribe. The third act
is the story of his gift of forgiveness
brought from the sun god. his accept
ance by the woman. her death at the
hands of rejected lover. and the de-
parture of both woman and prophet
to the sun gcd.
Thru the opera Were numbers of
the wordless, tribal. songs. while the
story itself was sung to music that
carried strong flavor of Indian
rhythm and melody. Mr. Nevin is
able to get from the piano exceeding
" fine orchestral effects The music
is fine in it's poetic thought; the stvIe
rs that of an artist who is master of
his materials; it is distinctive and in
dlcates great fertility of ideas
Mr. Nevin has a new opera. ''Twi-
light which has been accepted bv
Casaeca and will soon be sung by the
greatest grand opera company in the
world.
After the program Mr. Nevin was
introduced personally to the guests bv
Mrs Martin "a grand opera" he
says, cannot be written to order. II
must be the result Of an inspiration.
could not write one bar of music
for price When I write do so be-
that is beautiful"
Mrs Martin was assisted il receiy-
ing by Mrs Arthur Capper and Miss
Maud Miller of the State UNIVERSITY
Of Lawrence. Mrs. Martin is the v.ife
Of Acknowledgement Martin. TIC
family formerly lived in Fort Scott
Mrs. Martin is a graduate. in the class
with her husband. of the Kansas uni
versity law school. Her hospitality is
frequently offered to her Topeka and
lux or town friends. She was gowned