The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-01-01


didate of the wings Butler, Bucha nan and Cass
seem to be the only possible candidates Of the de-
mocrats, and Butler the strongest of these three,
the other candida es, such as Douglas and his assoc
ciates, being principally humbug and fanfaronade.
Things may change, but this is the present aspect.
THE ITALIAN OPERA IN ITALY AND IN THE,
UNITED STATEs.-The Italian Opera in this
city, under the management Of MIR. Maretzek
closed, some days ago, and there ism prospect
that it will be again opened, at least for
some time to come. The enquiry is made on every
side. how it is that an Opera cannot be supported
in this city. when it is 50 well patronized-when me-
diocre talent, even, draw large audiences-when
the house is filed every night, and when there is
strong taste and appreciation OF the opera among
our fashionable and wealthy people!
Let explain why it is that the opera not sus-
tanned in this country Th matter is contained in
q nutshell. The whole difficulty lies in the fact,
that artists demand for their services about two
thirds more than they get in Italy, and two-thirds
more than their services are worth. They swallow
up the whole receipts and leave nothing for the
manager or for incidental expenses. In Italy the
case is very different. There, the engagements are
made for season, which generally lasts six weeks.
1t frequently happens that singer Of some note
gets engagements for two or three seasons in the
course of the year. which, in the aggregate, would
make from three to four months of employment.
Some Of the inferior artists, however, receive but
one engagement during the year, the receipts Of
which 60 to their support while they doing no.
thing. The payments are made in four instalments,
the last Of them being seldom paid for as gene
raj thing the terms asked by the artist are
calculated without it. Again: If the SUBJ
scription is not large, the artist receives only
one OF two instruments although he is compelled to
sing as long as the season lasts il he refuses to
60 to prison. The consequence Of this is, that
artists in Italy are not troubled with colds and
hoarseness as much as they are in this country,
where frequently the programme has to be changed
because one of the principal singers has contracted
q cold, or says he has. This does not occur in
Italy, where he would have to sing or 60 to prison
The labor Of artists in Italy, too, is very great for
they have to sing six nights in the week, and re-
hearse every day.
This is brief outline Of the manner in which the
opera is managed in Italy. Let US see how it is
conducted in the United States. No sooner do
artists land on the shores Of this "great country
than they assume the most ridiculous airs and en-
deavor to Indemnify themselves for their suHerngs.
small allowances, and despotism in Italy. They
make pretensons the most absurd. throw themselves
on their supposed dignity, and ruin managers who
make concessions to them. After singing six times
week all their lives at home, they will not sing
oftener than three times here. On the slightest
presex or Misunderstanding they report the mselves
sick, and compel postponement Of the advertised
performances al The last hour, thereby Buring the
manager in the confidence Of the public. They de-
mand salaries which no manager could pay in JUS
tice to himself, or with the hope Of escaping embar-
rassment or ruin; and they 60 on increasing in
their demands until the-treasury contains nothing
after satisfying them. We can illustrate this by
making table Of the salaries Of certain artists
who have sung in this country at different periods.
For example,
Benedett received per month in Italy ~ SEQ
lie received under sanquirico, in this country, per
For tie second season under sanauirco and the 0''
third under Fry he received per month";. 500
For the fourth reason under Maretzek he asked 600
And recently he has received per month ...... 700
lin addition to engagement for Truth to whom be
Is N arried, the amount. of which we do not know
Take another instance
Lorini received for each m smith e singing for a
season In Havana. ....................,.. slBp
ror the second season. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 200
During his engagement with parod he received '"
per month, Tor four months. ................. $50
purlbe TIE summer per month. 500
Recently, per month. Observation-Disclosures. 600
Again.
Bosio received, Per month, in Europe. $500
IA HAsaEs. .,........... 700
rom MatetzeK, In the sum loco
rom Nih'er..........,...... LOCO
Again.:
3ettin received in Paris, per month. ....... $500
Do. do. Havana, do .......,, $40
40. 90. new YORK, summer season.. 1000
DO. 40. do. winter season.. 1000
(This was independently Ct two or three benefits
These sums do not include benefits. Now, one
would suppose that these sums were ex.ravagant
nough, and that tho manager had nothing further
0 pay. Not 60. The artists are paid their ira
cling expenses from city to another, and fire.
nentIy stipulatc fortvo or three extra passages
Or their wives their servants, their friends or their
oRs, the expenso Of which is enormous.
But even here the Manager Is not allowed to-
VT. When ~ bss sssslsdel " arrange aspts.