Charles Wakefield Cadman Born: 24 Dec. 1881, Johnstown, PA Died: 30 Dec. 1946, Los Angeles, CA

(U.S. Opera Home Page)

• The Land of the Misty Water (also reported as Daoma.) Libretto by R. La Flesche and Nelle Richmond Eberhardt. (composed c. 1912; unperformed.)
• Ramala [rev. of The Land of the Misty Water]
• Shanewis, or The Robin Woman, Indianist opera. Libretto by Nelle Richmond Eberhardt, based on the life of Tsianina Redfeather. (23 Mar. 1918, NY Met; Sundelius, Braslau, Howard, Althouse, cond. Moranzoni, d. J. Fox, 8 perf.) [cast inc. Shanewis, t; Lionel, t; Amy, s; Mrs. Everton, ms; Philip, bar]
• The Sunset Trail, "operatic cantata". (1922, Denver; later Chicago Civic Opera)
• The Garden of Mystery. Libretto by Nelle Richmond Eberhardt after the story Rappacini's Daughter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. (composed c. 1915; premeire 20 March 1925, New York)
• A Witch of Salem, opera in three acts. Libretto by Nelle Richmond Eberhardt. (8 Dec. 1926; Chicago)
• The Willow Tree, opera for radio. Libretto by Nelle Richmond Eberhardt. (October 3, 1932, NBC)

• The Ghost of Lollypop Bay (1926)
• Lelawala (1926)
• The Belle of Havana (1928)
• South in Sonora (1932)

Cadman was one of the leading "Indianist" composers of the early twentieth century, incorporating Native American themes in an attempt to create an American style separate from European precedents. His Shanewis is one of the best-known examples of this school, and Cadman's Indianist songs are still sometimes performed.

According to Kirk, Cadman's The Willow Tree was the first opera composed specifically for radio performance.

Discography

(Search Amazon.com for music by Charles Wakefield Cadman)

"Spring Song of the Robin Woman" and "Ojibway Canoe Song" from Shanewis, on Souvenirs from American Operas. Various artists, 1998. Compact disc: IRCC 818.