The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-03-23

View Opera Arrangements.
Tonight will be the last Of the twelve sub
scription nights with which the season at the
Academy of Music, under Ole Bull, COM
menced. The stockholders, after the explosion
of the Ole Bull season, took upon themselves
the responsibility Of continuing the season to
the termination of the twelve nights which had
been announced as the first season. Under the
new arrangements, now made, the season will
be extended during the period Of two months,
if the resident patrons to the Opera and the
visiters to the city, who have taste for such
entertainments, see fit to second the attempts
of the committee to establish the Opera upon
popular basis.
Under the new arrangements for the italian
Opera, at the Academy Of Music, we under
stand that the plan of reserving particular
seats or boxes for season, for the bene-
fit Of families or individuals, will be entirely
abandoned. The seats or boxes may be Sc
cured for one night, or even more nights, but
no general plan giving the best seats to certain
favored parties for the entire season. will be
countenanced. We also understand that the
plan of charging half dollar extra for reserv-
ed seats will also be abandoned. The seats in
the parquette and boxes will be thrown open
to the public at the uniform rate of one dollar
each. The price to the amphitheatre will re-
main as fixed at present This arrangement
places the italian Opera upon the same footing
as that of any other theatrical entertainment
The managers have considered this as the best
~ Ho nod md fho cir
cumstances, and they have boldly relinquished
the old system of exclusive privileges and high
charges, which made the Opera 80 unpopular
under the old regime.
It is probable, under the new arrangements,
that the Opera season may continue during the
next two or three months, perhaps longer. The
committee Of management consists of Mr.. James
Phalen and Mr.. Colt, two Of the principal stock
holders; but they have been assisted in arrang-
ing the details Of the new arrangements for the
management, in the securing of the artists, in
the making of the contracts, and in the re-or-
ganization Of the whole establi shment by the
well known and amply experienced Chevalier
Wikoff. In giving his aid in this matter con
amore the Chevalier is only actuated by pure
love of art-he has no direct interest in the
matter, and he, without pecuniary reward, gives
to the committee the result of his experience in
the management of artists, in which vocation
he spent dashing part of his life. By his I'M
rivalled talents in diplomacy he has succeeded
in making. the contracts with the artists on terms
more satisfactory and much more practical than
those heretofore contaminated. Mdlle. Steffe-
none demanded fifteen hundred dollars per
month, but through the exercise Of the un-
rivalled diplomatic talent of Chevalier Wikoff
she was induced, with perfect delight, to accept
one thousand dollars per month. Ndlle. Vest
vail had contract for four months, at eight
hundred dollars per month, signed by Ole Bull
and guaranteed by Mr.. Phalen, but under the
influence Of the skill of the Chevalier Wikoff she
was induced to lower her demands to the sum
Of five hundred dollars per month. Signor
Maretzek, the chef d'orchesfre, also cut down
his demands to reasonable figure. The Che
Waller Wikof has managed all this, and he has
also drawn up code of stringent rules for the
government Of the whole troupe, whereby the
utmost harmony will be secured, both behind
the scenes and before the audience. Provided,
however, that an explosion should occur, it will
take place at least two streets from the green
room of the Opera House.
These arrangements will astonish and delight
fashionable society, whether residing in the
Fifth avenue or sending its delegates from
other cities as visiters to New York. For the
first time, under the influence of the unrivalled
sk;ll of Chav ol;ar W;LoH opd tha colin, and
gentlemanly cooperation Of Messrs. Phalen and
Colt, it appears that the Opera is to be founded
upon practical basis II seems to us that
this is the first fair chance that has been given
to show whether or not the Italian Opera can
succeed in this country.