The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-12-18

TIE STARRING SYsTKM.-for some two years
past. the arrival Of each steamer in this city has
introduced to public notice, by putting in weekly
newspapers and other journals, artists whose abih-
ties were never equaisd by any who preceded them;
but when the time arrived that fair and impartial
criticism was to be given, the qualities of mind
which the dramatic public were induced TO believe
were incom parable, resulted in the impression of
their being nothing beyond that Of msdiocrity; and
in good TRUTH several members of the stock 90 mpany
could be found to possess more intrinsic abilities,
than the Magnus Apollo, star, or blood horse, of
the evening. Notwithstanding all this, the efforts
of mana gers were exclusively directed TO newspaper
puffng-often, no doubt, by interested parties who
hang round those establishments, and like lagos
advice to Roderigo, desire the proprietor to put
money in bis purse, and that they will be sure to
carry the great artist through, even though his
calibre be not of the brilliant stamp. Managers,
we know, have complained Of the onus Of the star
ring system-how grievous it was to be obliged to
give noarly half the receipts of the house to
one person, while they had to pay nearly two
hundred persons salaries averaging, perhaps,
from ten to forty dollars per week, and paying,
besides, for tho rent Of the house, some fifteen
or twenty thousand dollars per snnum. Now,
in great measure they have to blame themselves;
for if they would for moment consider that the
salaries Of the best actors the other side Of the
Atlantic, only average from two to ten pounds per
week, they would immediately resist such exor-
itan; charges. This picture ia true one as it
WILDE found ths the stars 80 Called have pooketed
the money, while the q, saagers were ofsen COM
elled to draw on private resources 20 7haoio INC"
TO disburss the various claims made upon .ae@ "
their actors landlords and also to meet the heavy
TENS for advertising, putting, and other expendi-
lures. How, then, can managers blame artists for
emanding such sums, when they find they not
My receive them, but are, besides, written up %
assessing all those refined characteristics which
70 necessary to constitute . star. We believe
there is but one man in the city who has acted diff
ferently, and his managerial efforts have been
crowned with success. He has found many artists,
both male and female, in the city, who possessed
sterling abilities, and between whom and the star
there was no observable disparity. He engaged
them at q respectable salary, reserving to himself
the right Of judging what characters they should
gil, in order to their success and bis advantage.
By this arrangement, al the members Of his COM
pany are, comparatively speaking, stars ia their
respective departments Of the drama and, by this
plan, he ia making money fast. The same unfor-
tuitous circumstances seem TO surround the mana
ger of the Italian Opera House. He is compelled,
by the Same rule, to pay from eight to fifteen
hundred dollars per month, each, to vocalists who
could not get one-fourth of that sum on the con-
tinent of Europe. Now, Maretzek has worked hard
in the cultivation Of musical science in this CITY
he has, from . small beginning in New York,
by great activity and zeal, succeeded in some
what establishing the Italian OPEN. But what
profit has he realized by his indsatgabls exertonsl
Has be or the artists received the benefit This il
now too well known to require an answer. 1t Is
time, then, that managers should look to their in
terests, and begin to make money for themselves.
1t must not be understood that We are opposed to
give to talent proper remuneration; but the idea
Of one mans receiving two three hundred dollars
per night, while another very little If any way in
ferior, is receiving five dollars. is sufficiently pre-
posterous to be conde nned by every sensible mind.
We like to see Shaksperean pieces produced in
splendor, to see elocutien encouraged, and that
actors should feel the spirit of their personatons.
The poet must be affected by the creations Of his
own fancy, If he would give to them Q place in tbs
sensibilites of his readers and the principle Is just
true in regard to hstrionic representations The
artist must understand his author. and never ever
step the bounds Of nature. Mere defamation Is just
as idle in song as it is in poetry or prose. II not
enough to have q 6ne voice, unless II Is made to
modulate agreeably to the sense, and this requires
education, without which al efforts will DO unavail
ing. By these remarks We merely give hint to
managers; If they prove sessonsble, as Q word to
the wise, all we have desired viii be accomplished.
kISKELIsM According to the last accounts, the
famous DR.. Kinkel, the great Lberator of Germany,