New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-03-31
New Aneri-
can Opera
and Ballet
''Shanewis," an Indian
opera by Charles Wake
field Cadman, and "Ihe
Dance in Place Congo"
a New Orleans ballet, by
Henry F. Gilbert.
e DREM1EREs of American-made
operas are usually turgid
affairs" declared "The World"

~ ASAI NA AGASAIO VI
operas are usually turgid
AFFAIRS" declared "The World"
AS a matter of fact
"there is generally much ado about nothing
followed by an ultimate consignment to
the operate scrapheap Of the particular
cause of the fuss.
"But 'Shanewis' appears likely to travel
another course. MIR. Cadman, who is not an
Indian, as so many suppose, but the son
Of Methodist preacher, has seen to that
by writing some really fine music.
1--WE would not, because we cannot in
truth, term it exceptional music; nor yet
music having in it enough difference from
what others have composed to give it that
outstanding Importance which is the justifi-
cation for the label Original
"At the same time the 'Shanewis' score
is occasionally excellent in substance and
in treatment; accomplishment often pos
sessing the operate color that most Ameri-
Gun scores lack. The story, too, is not as
difficult to accept as most of those offered,
even though the libretto is frequently triv-
ial in phraseology and never distinguished"
Rather severer valuations of the Ii
bretto are met with at the hands ct NEST
of the musical critics. For instance, take
"The Brooklyn Eagle" which declared:.
probably poorer plot was ever given
composer as the source for musical in
spiration. AS can be seen, there is no dra-
matte construction and no building up Of
climaxes. The first act ends on an anti
climax; the second is really through when
Shanewis leaves her lover. The text
is unpoetic and is couched in English that
is badly. nay, cheaply colloquial."
But the score of this new opera is gen
orally pronounced full of merit, if not
exactly an achievement of brilliance. In
"The Sun" appeared this comment:
"Mr Cadman has handled his material
with no mean amount of skill. He has
shown a greater command of the technic
Of opera than any of his predecessors
among the American composers introduced
at the Metropolitan, and while his music
is not always distinguished, it is by reason
Of judgment in it's treatment never, or rare
ly at any rate, without direct and simple
effectiveness"
'The Evening World" summed it up
thus:
"The work always is interesting, often is
captivating and is constructed with mu-
scianly skill. It contains actual Indian
melodies. even if they are somewhat sophis-
ticated, and 1t gives the principal singers
ample opportunity. The overture is full of
color, Of import and Of promise. There is
an intermezzo of fairylike texture that is
in strong contrast with the tragedy to fol-
low The orchestral score Is effective with
out being obtrusive. If the second act does
not quite maintain the standard of the first,
'Shanewis is an American opera which can
stand without apology, and should stir all
American composers, including Mr.. Cadman
himself to greater things"
"The Evening Mail'' found it "unpre-
tentious," but possessing "the shining
virtue of complete sincerity" In the
opinion Of "The Evening POST
"his opera is not only melodious one, It is
also a vocal opera, and therein lie the main
hopes for his future opera composer.
He uses the voice, especially in passionate
moments, after the fashion of Puccini, who
is good model favored by both singers
and audiences
ut is otherwise when we come to the
dances which followed 'Shanewis.' Here one
would have welcomed more riotous tonal,
as we'll as saltatorial demonstrations, as
being more expressive Of the situation. The
reference is to The Dance in Place Congo
by Henry F. Gilbert. The music for this
was originally written as symphonic
poem, and it would have been wise if it had
remained a symphonic poem, for it did not
seem to lend itself we'll to stage use. AL
though the composer uses five Creole
themes, including the familiar 'Bamboula.'
he does not set them off to great advan-
tage"
In "The Globe" it was found by Pitts
Sanborn that Mr.. Gilbert had not done
his work in a supreme manner
"but he has done we'll enough to make me
wish he would take the score right back
nome with him and rewrite it, deepening
and cnriching his Creole tunes, heightening
his catchy Banboula adding good twenty
nan5os to his orchestra and perhaps two or
three pianos with paper on the strings
making his lazy cantilena drip honey, pack
ing his harmonies with cayenne pepper
sparing not the sugar cane. and remember
ing there is dynamite. Then wish the
giited ottakar Bartik would go up to 135th
Street and get the dancers, and Bakst or
somebody like him would do the scenery
and the costumes"
The ballet, criticism maintained. was
presented in q vigorous and tasteful
manner. OF the work of the artists pre-
senting "Shanewis" Mr.. Grenville Yer.
non, in The Tribune, said:
MISS Sophie Braslau, assuming the title
part on short notice, gave truly admir-
aote performance. (siss Alice t;entlo
9cheouied to sing the role was too III "a
sppca.:' MISS Braslau has one OF the most
beautiful contral.o voices now on the onors
a''c stage. and she made the mos. Of il
moreover, her irnpersonation possessed fee1.
ing and dignity. Miss Braslau has erad.
ua,ed from her long apprenticeship in scc.
ondary parts and the public is to be con.
graduated Mr.. Althousc never sang With
dreer tone than in the part Of Lionel Nine.
ouhaenus rad scope for her beautiful voice
rs Amy; Mr. Chalmers was no cigar stora
Indian and Miss Howard an ideal sou.horr
California society leader and clubwoman
Mr- Moranzoni conducted With admirable
devotion"