The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-05-27

the opening of which win bring TO US the full rea-
ties Of what is now but fable.
What say the Union wings Of the North, and Of
the Southl What say the friends Of Fillmore and
Websterl Where are they? Is j. not time for ac-
toni
The Establishment Of Opera In the United
States.
This country is about to engage in 4 novel and
deeply interesting contest with all the despotisms
Of the Old World, but particularly with Russia
and our ancient adversary, Great Britain The
struggle is to be not for "plunder or extended
rule not to republieanze Europe on the Kossuth
plan, yet to cvince wonderful superiority in
naval architecture and useful arts the rest of the
world, but it is to be an attempt to cope with them
in the establishment and fostering Of Italian opera
on this continent. We, on this side ofthe Atlantic,
have become famous for the abandon with which we
engage in specuatons of all kinds and for the bril-
liant triumphs we generally manage to achieve in
everything we attempt. We do things here by
wholesale II is but very brief space of time since
We threw out some suggestions for the establish
ment of opera in this city, on solid, permanent
basis and now not only has New York adopted
them, but they have been also adopted by Philadel
phia and Boston, which have all three simultaneously
resolved to erect large and magnificent opera houses
which will rival those of the great European cities
For this purpose associations have been formed and
acts of incorporation procured at the last session of
the several Legislatures of New York, Massachu-
sets, and Pennsylvania. They have entered into
the matter with the ardor characteristic of Amer-
cans, and will doubtless carry it through with their
wonted good success.
This is somewhat remarkable movement, and
one which presents extensive field for consisera-
ton. 1t affords most decided manifestation Of the
progress of musical taste and refinement in this
young and occasionally obstreperous community
The American people have been, hitherto, more
distinguished by their cnterprising, brave, and
indomitable exertions in subduing all obstacles to
the physical advancement of their country, and in
the promotion Of trade, commerce, and the useful
arts, than by their great taste for the more refined
pleasures and luxurics of social life. They have
now, however, SO well succeeded in all branches Of
human industry and skill-have placed the useful
arts and sciences such firm and permanent basis
and established such state Of commercial pros
pcrity in the country-that they have now both the
ability and inclination to turn attention to those
minor affairs which, though not so very important
exercise, nevertheless, such refining influence on
society Let us see how they commence operations
in this new line.
New York, Philadelphia and Boston have stimuli
taneously been impressed with the Importance of
erecting opera houses, and making preparations
to carry out that design. These three cities-with
their suburban ocalities-contain an aggregate pop
uation of orer t,co millions of inha6itants-equal to
that Of London; among whom is very extensively
r - \
This taste win be grati6ed, and still more widely
diffused, by the establishment of opera houses in
these several cities, which will perhaps be CON-
pleted within the next six or eight months 1t
is designed to erect these houses Of q capacity
that will accommodate FIVE or six thousand per-
sons each, and they will most probably-as they
certainly should-be leased by the same impresa-
rio, SO that they could have the benefit Of a
regular rotation Of artistes. The contiguity of
these cities, and the immense patronage which will
undoubtedly be bestowed upon the opera, will offer
great inducement to the most distinguished singers
Of Europe to come here from London, instead of
going thence to Saint Petersburg, which entails a
travel of nine days duration, either by the difficult
navigation Of the Baltic Sea or by the fatiguing
overland route. Either of our cities may be
reached in nine or ten days by steamships
possessing the most comfortable and elegant ac-
commodations, and this time may possibly, by
the ingenuity Of our mechanics soon be re-
duced to six or seven days The accomplishment of
this grand operate scheme will be also Of great i'm
portance to the prosperity Of these cities, by attract
ing considerable numbers Of wealthy persons in this
country to take up permanent or temporary resi-
dences in them. New York, particularly, must de-
rive such immense advantages from this source, by
the increase in the value Of property which it will
cause, as should in itself be almost a sufficient
motive for carrying out the design.
The preparations side for the great struggle
with London and St. Petersburg, have now begun,
and we think we may confidently predict satisfac-
tory termination to it. Those two imperial cities at
present afford to distinguished aristes the greatest
facilities for realizing immense fortunes by excr
else Of their talents In Paris, Milan. Naples
Venice, Vienna, Berlin, SC, they have merely the
opportunity Of acquiring reputation and name, to
reap the rich rewards Of which they must 90 to Lon
don and St. Petersburg. The opera in London is
maintained by the British arstocracy, who pay an
nually certain levy subscription, in proportion
to their income; and that in st. Petersburg is of
course munifcently provided for by the Car. 1t
remains for to show the feasibility Of the opera
being established and supported by the people
by twenty-five millions Of sovereign people.
The contest, therefore, resolves itself into one be-
tween Russian autocracy and British aristocracy on
the one side, and American democracy on the other.
The internal arrangements Of our proposed opera
houses must, therefore, be strictly in accordance
with the spirit Of free institutions, and diamctr-
cally opposed to the cxclusveness Of the European
mode. Uniform prices to all parts of the house
must be established at reasonable fgure-a dollar
or dollar and half a. head-and no such thing as
reserved seats must be introduced into the system.
Such plan would be utterly at variance with our
plain democratic manners, would be offensive to the
great masses of the community, on whose support
such establishments must chiefly depend, and would
efectualy destroy all chances Of favorable issue
to the contest. Based, however, on the plain
democratic principle Of g first come first served"
there is no doubt but that the proceeds Of