The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-03-07
The Break-up at the Opera.

way for drama, in which tenors, bassi, must
clans, candlesnuffers, and prime dome, take the
first parts au naturai, and the unfortunate mana
ger, Mr.. Bull, is not only ruined, but is sa-
vagely abused and mercilessly satirized-we
may moralize little On the event. From all
accounts it appears that the CONFUSION which
led to the break up was occasioned By the want
of harmony existing between the manager and
his performers, as well as among those person.
ages themselves. When they should have sung
they fell to quarrelliDg; and discord, in any
sense, is OF course fatal to musical enterprises
First one card appeared, then another; and SO
on until the managem mt, apparently exaspera-
ted by accommodating proofs Of characterization,
and wearied of losing money, despaired Of i'm
provement and closed the concern. The facts
are to be found in the city journals.
Events constantly repeat themselves, and the
operate drama Of March, 1855, is nothing but
repetition of another operate drama which
was played at the Italian Opera House when
Mr.. Fry was manager. On that occasion, the
artists quarreled with the manager and with
each other. First Madame ruff published her
card, just as Madame Vestvali did the other
day then manager Fry made a speech, as
manager Maretzek did at the Academy. Then
more cards, speeches, quarrels, in both cases;
incessant want of money; finally, in both, with
perfect resemblance, general smash, and fright
full wrangling among the mutilated fragments
of the troupe. Here the difference begins.
When Smash the First took place. it 80 hap
pened that the HERALD was the only jour
nal which thought it worth while to chro.
ncle the death Of the Opera, and report
the last dying speech and confession of
the culprit The other journals observed that
commendable discretion which they so often
practice when we feel bound to publish impOr-
tant news. Raging over his failure Mr.. Mana
ger Fry sought victim; and finding no one
SO handy as the journal which had given noto-
riety to the facts concerning his Opera, he in
stituted an action for libel against US, demand
ing Of US bonus Of twenty thousand dollars to
console him for his managerial losses.
Smash the Second has been luckier in the
matter Of biographers. Several journals have
thought fit to report it with all its incidents.
In our Seward contemporaries we notice espe-
cially full and complete account of the scene
at the Academy of Music, which ought to afford
Mr.. Manager Bull ample matter for cogitation.
Here are several papers which state posi-
lively that he has broken down; that he has
been cheated, robbed, ruined; nay more, that
his character has been destrOye ed. II Mr.. Mana
ger Fry could persuade q jury to give him
$4,000 tor what we said of him, surely Mr..
Manager Bull can make small fortune out of
all these libels. We caanot of course estimate
his losses, but it appears that eight thousand
dollars went in two slices; a single newspaper
would reimburse this amount. But by
charging go much for libels on his pocket,
so much for libels on his head, and
SO much for libels on his heart, much larger
sum might be obtained, and Mr.. Bull might be
once more rich man. We commend the sub
ect to his thoughtful consideration.
Meanwhile fresh attempts are to be made to
set the Opera on its legs and it is said that Mr..
James Phalen, whose interest in the building is
large, will undertake the direction of new
company there, to be composed of the remains
of the old one. Other rumors ascribe the ap-
pointment as manager to the Chevaler Wikoif
who appears always to be turning up when
most wanted. Wikoffs antecedents are promi-
sing, He managed Fanny Elssler very success
fully managed Lord Palmerston managed
Louis Napoleon, and nearly managed his cou.
sin and Abbott Lawrence; managed the press
Of Paris, and only failed when he tried to man.
age Miss Gamble who appears from all &C
counts to have been wholly unmanageable.
Where could more likely manager for the
10
that can never be hoped we fear 50 long as
Italian artists, even without European repu-
ton, expect salaries higher than star actors
When Italian tenors and sopran consent to
sing for the same salary as they receive in Eu-
rope, the Italian Opera may be successful here;
till then it will always be precarious.
THE GREAT TAMMANY RE-UNIoN-A WORD OF
ADvIcE,-The great Tammany Hall love-teast,
for the reunion OF the democracy, comes off to-
night. A host of distinguished speakers are
to be present from various parts OF the country.
The occasion, it is expected, will decide the
fate Of the party not only in this State but
throughout the Union, as cohesive and living
organization, or as one that has existed, but
Is henceforth divided disbanded and defunct
We presume that there will be no lack of pa
triotsm on this occasion, that we shall
have plentiful outpouring of democra-
tic principles and Baltimore resolutions, and
the doctrines Of Jefferson and jackson,
and constitutional and State rights, and all
that; but something more will be needed than
backneyed and windy democratic distractions
Con the democracy be reunited upon the adj
ministratien and its spoils policy? Can the
hardshells be gathered into the wigwam upon
any such expedieRts Manifestly no. Can
they be reunited upon their old broken-down