One of the x most popular young artists on CBC tele- vision is 16-year old Monique Cadieux who is seen on Holiday Ranch and other programs. Here she is shown making her first trip by plane. MUSIC ' -- Regina opera tells Qu’ Appelle legend Three years ago the Cowichan Indian Players won national acclaim for their production of Tzinquaw, the Indian opera writ- ten by Frank Morrison, a Van- vouver Island schoolteacher. Now a second opera has been written and produced in Regina. Like Tzinquaw, which was based on — the story of the Thunderbird and the Killer Whale, it was in- spired by a well-known legend. . * * ~ ‘a N EVENT of importance for A those concerned with the development of Canadian _cul- ture was the presentation in Re- gina of a locally written opera, Qu’Appelle River Legend. The music was writen by Frank Thorolfson, organist and choir master at the local Knox United Church to a libretto by Tod Greenaway. Art McKay, a Regina artist designed the set, with the performers comprising the students and teachers of the Regina Conservatory of Music. The opera is striking in its sympathetic portrayal of the small band of Cree Indians, liv- ing on the Qu’appelle River. It begins with the arrival of the news that the white man is encroaching on their territory and a struggle develops be- tween the matriarch of the tribe and Togay, the medicine-man. The matriarch, urging that the band should move westward, sings that it would be better to be homeless and free, rather than to remain where they are, “under the domination of the white man. The medicine man, however, convinces the band. that he has the power to ward off any such disaster and they remain where they are. Sherman Johnson, an English trader, arrives and commenting that the valley would provide good soil for the empire, begins to trade his cheap trinkets for buffalo robes. He sees Minee- _ kah, the daughter of the matri- arch, and falls in love with her. Sherman bribes the medinine- man to send off Mineekah’s In- dian suitor. Mineekah can see that the trader would not fit into their kind of life any more than she could be happy living the kind of life he has known. They would live the rest of their lives in the shadows and she prefers the sun. Finally he persuades her how- ever,that they could be happy together,and makes her promise to wait until he returns. Their meeting results in un- happiness for all, for Johnson has brought with him the small- pox. ’ As the second act opens win- ter has come and Mineekah is dying of the dread disease. She imagines: she hears Johnson cal- ling her, but she dies before he arrives in spirit of the medinine man’s efforts. . When Johnson arrives he rea- lizes it was he himself who had brought misfortune to the band. He can do nothing but leave. The power of the medicine-man over the tribe has been broken and he too wanders off. The curtain closes with the proud matriarch, standing over her daughter’s body, defiant of all those who would bring fur- ther misfortune to her band. ut 50 50 According to the original le- gend the trader, a French cou- reur-de-bois, as he is returning to Mineekah, hears her voice calling him through the valley. He cries out Qu’Appelle? (who calls?). It is from this tale that the beautiful Qu’Appelle Valley ‘derives its name. The music was pleasing and at the same time in keeping with the Indian theme. The unique feature of the opera is that it is the first at- tempt to produce such work bas- ed on western Canadian Indian legend. The development of Ca- nadian music can be strength- ened only by such productions as the Qu’Appelle River Legend. United Jewish People’s Order marks birthday with pageant ANCOUVER branches of the United Jewish People’s Order staged a remarkable pageant cn Wednesday last week, one cf many such celebrations across the country honoring their org- anization’s 30th anniversary. It paid fitting tribute to a proud 30 years of Jewish enrichment of Canadian culture, of struggle for human decency and pro- gress, of building for future generations. Fashioned out of the lives of performers and audience alike, the climax came after the pag- eant, in a simple ceremony of tribute to the actual people who pioneered, and continued to build, the movement. The pageant, written by Lou Osipov, was its own valid proof. Involving members of the Drama Workshop, Vancouver Folk Singers, and others, it brought together a cast of more than 30 people. Actually a series of skits, the pageant told a large amount of history with little preaching, and with a nice balance of humor and honest dialogue. Continuity was expertly main- tained through the reminis- censes of an old aunt (Channah) to her nephew (Allan Smith), and in well-timed set changes on the darkened stage, without curtain interruptions. Mood was sensitively sustained by Claire Klien Osipov and the Vancouver Folk Singers, who wove Jewish . tolk songs in and around the action. Most warmly received—per- haps because it so intimately embodied everyone’s hopes for the future — was the scene of ‘the children in schule; the teacher explains why they should learn Yiddish. The 10 and 1l-year-olds were well handled, an unspoiled and charming little group. While many of the talented stalwarts of former UJPO pro- ductions were present — Oscar Osipov, the Friedmans, the Le- © hans, and others — it was heart- ening to find new faces in the cast. Bernie and Rickie Zuker possessed excellent stage pres- ence; Ann Robertson (also as- sistant director to Lou Osipov) bad poise and truly outstanding - vocal projection. A presentation of this nature cannot avoid duplicate roles (and they were properly distri- buted in the main), but surely obvious contradictory casting can be avoided. Within the, space of a few minutes, one ac-— tor had to take prominent parts both as a UJPO leader and as a rabid anti-UJPO Zionist, Unfortunately, this was not RECTOR RECTOR CIGAR Only Union Made Cigar in Vancouver Hand Rolled Finest in Dutch & Havana Tobacco SOLD AT HOTELS or 214 Union St., Vancouver SPECIAL REDUCED PRICES For Pacific Tribune Readers the only ‘incomplete planning in the second of these scenes (the meeting which was to ex- pel the UJPO from .the Jewish Community Council). As dis- tinct from the generally good. pacing, the entire scene needed tightening and polishing. These are small blemishes, however, compared to the value of the whole production. The pageant was worthy of the oc- casion, and marked an import- ant advance in progressive theatre in Vancouver. N. E. STORY English translation of Franko published AN important event in literary history was recorded this week with the appearance of a new book, Ivan Franko—Poems and Stories, containing selec- tions from the works of the re- nowned Ukrainian write, trans- lated into English by John Weir. Ivan Franko is one of Ukraine’s greatest and best loved sons, second only to Taras Shevchen- ko. Poet, novelist, writer of short stories, playwright, satir- ist and publicist, he made a great impact on the Ukrainian people of his day — the latter - part of the last century and the years prior to the First World War. Today his name is honor- ed and revered by Ukrainians in all walks of life and of all political opinions and religious beliefs. This year marks the 100th an- niversary of Ivan Franko’s birth. The centenary will be celebrat- ed in Ukraine and wherever Ukrainians live. It will also be celebrated in many other coun- tries for Franko is rapidly be- coming recognized as one of the great, literary figures of the world. Since his death in 1916 his works have been translated in- to many languages. Until re- cently only a few of his poems CONSTANTINE ‘FINE CUSTOM TAILORING Ladies’ and Gentlemen Rm., 118, 603 W. Hastings St. PA, 5810 Vancouver 2, B.C. PATR A ¢ ONIZE RNEL‘S OFFEE SHOP 410 Main St. Operated By GEORGE & WINNIFRED GIBBONS A Cc -WEDNESDA 337 West Pender St. ————————— _ ; Commencing Wednesday, June 20 until further notice We will be closed all day Wednesday PEOPLE'S CO-OP BOOKSTORE : June 8, 1956 — PACIFIC TRIBUNE — PAGE 8 had been translated into Eng- lish. The new book of transla- tions by John Weir is the first representative selection of the Ukrainian writer's works in English. ' Included in the new book are a number of Franko’s best known poems, many of his short stories -and excerpts from three of his novels. The book con- tains 340 pages, is cloth-bound and sells for $3.50. It is pub- lished by Ukrainska Knyha, Toronto, and is obtainable in Vancouver at the People’s Co- op Bookstore, 337 West Pender Street. JUST OFF THE PRESS ! The new book thousands of Canadians will soon be talking about. Ivan Franko POEMS AND STORIES Translated by JOHN WEIR Inspiring selections from the works of the renowned Ukrain- ian writer whose centennial. is being celebrated this year throughout the world. 340 Pages (Clothbound) $3.50 | Ask for it at your local book- store or order it directly from the publishers: UKRAINSKA KNYHA 1162. Dundas St. W. Toronto, Ontario. Y CLOSING t MA. 5836