Introduction
Newman Levy (1888–1966) was a lawyer, poet, playwright and essayist. His autobiography and at least three books of his verse are extant. He worked as an Assistant District Attorney for New York City, but found time to write three books of light verse and an autobiography. He socialized with New York's literary elite, and collaborated with Edna Ferber on $1200 a Year: A Comedy in Three Acts". When George Gershwin asked "I wonder if my music will be played a hundred years from now?" he is said to have answered, "Yes, if you're around to play it!"
Works
His verse and short fiction was published in The New Yorker and also collected in three books: Opera Guyed, Theatre Guyed, and Gay But Wistful Verses.
His papers are collected at the Fales Library.
Thais
His review of the opera Thaïs by Massenet is arguably his best known work. The complex rhyme scheme, light approach to a tragic opera, and bouncy tune helped popularize it.
And the tragic ending of Thaïs is reduced to a rueful reflection on missed chances: