Composer

:

Percy Grainger

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1903 - Jun 12, 1909

Publication Date

:

1987

Average_duration

:

4:22

In Dahomey is a musical comedy composed by Percy Grainger in collaboration with African American composer Will Marion Cook. The piece premiered on February 18, 1903, at the New York Theatre and ran for 53 performances. It was the first full-length musical written and performed entirely by African Americans to be presented on Broadway. The musical is divided into two acts and features a total of 18 musical numbers. The first act takes place in Dahomey, a kingdom in West Africa, and the second act takes place in New York City. The story follows two African princes, Gumbo and Quassa, who travel to America to find a wife for their king. Along the way, they encounter a variety of characters, including a con artist, a wealthy socialite, and a group of African American performers. The music of In Dahomey is a blend of African rhythms and American popular music of the time. The score features a variety of musical styles, including ragtime, cakewalks, and spirituals. Grainger and Cook also incorporated traditional African instruments, such as the balafon and the shekere, into the score. One of the most famous musical numbers from In Dahomey is "Goodbye, Ma Rainey," which was later recorded by blues singer Ma Rainey. The song features a catchy melody and lyrics that tell the story of a woman leaving her lover behind. In addition to its musical innovations, In Dahomey was also notable for its portrayal of African Americans on stage. The show featured a predominantly black cast and presented African American characters as complex and multi-dimensional, rather than relying on racist stereotypes. Overall, In Dahomey was a groundbreaking work that helped to pave the way for future African American musicals on Broadway. Its blend of African and American musical styles and its nuanced portrayal of black characters make it a significant work in the history of American musical theater.

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