The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-06-15
The Italian Opera In Paris-An Imperial
Pension FUND FOR Artists.

State relative to the formation of pension fund for
the artists of the Grand Opera -
SIRE-So long as the management of the Imperial
theatre Of the opera has been confded to the Civil
List the artists and employees attached to that ma.
tonal establishment have enjoyed retiring pensions,
intended to protect their old age against the effects
Of improvidence or mist ,rtune; and from 1904 to
1880 they were admitted in virtue of special regu-
lation, to reap the benefits Of the tuteary arrange
ments adopted by the State for the remuuera-
lishment having ceased by the effect of the
decree Of the 18th June, 1854, and the director Of
the Opera having been replaced within the attribu-
tons of the Imperial Civil List your Majesty, in
your paternal solicitude for the persons employed
in that establishment decided that the artists and
employees should also enjoy the benefits of the re-
turn to the old state of things, and that their cond
ton should he ameliorated by their obtaining re-
firing neutrality-suspicious. obtained withogt any re-
duction in their salaries, which, before 1880, were
nevertheless much l0wer-and without any sacrifice
being imposed beyond the regular stoppage of per
the commands Of your Majesty, have the honor of
proposing the creation of special pension fund for
the Imperial theatre Of the Opera. The dotation Of
this fund, which will be managed by the admnistra.
be formed exclusively OF q grant made by the
Imperial Civil List, and from resources be-
longing to the direction of the opera. 1t will
not therefore in any way interfere with the
finances of the public treasury. On the other
hand, the financial combinations of this institution
and the conditions attached to the obtaining of PEN
sions have not been adopted until after very mature
examination, and after taking into account the Sc
rOus lessons of the past; and am confident that the
dotation of the fund, thus constituted will suffice to
meet all the charges which may fall it. Your Ma
jesty will however, remark that the artistes and
poyes who form part of the company of the Imperial
Theatre of the Opera may, with regard to their re-
firing pension date their services from $780, SO that
the injury resulting to them by the suppression of
the old pension fund will be completely repaired.
Lastly it has appeared proper not to include in the
tptvn Af
as may enter the Opera with salary exceeding
10000 Fl. year; because they are then in the
full exercise of their talent, and generally only
main few years. As, therefore, they could not
claim to a pension, the stoppage made from their
emoluments would be charge without any COM
pensation and it s moreover, easy for artistes who
receive such high salaries to secure to themselves,
by economy, an equivalent for a retiring pension.
If your Majesty degns to approve of the measures
above indicated, and in which more than six hun
dred families are interested, beg you to afix your
signature to the annexed decree, having for object
to sanction them as we'll as the arrangements at
tendant thereon. A. FOULD.
The above report is followed by decree carrying
out the measure proposed, and of which the leading
points are:-
The pension fund will be formed from stoppage
of per cent all salaries not exceeding 4OOOOfr.
year; of the produce of all fines for breach of
discipline, &c; OF the amount of all Judicial
formations given in favor of the theatre; of the
produce Of two representations to be given annually
at the Opera; of annual grant of 2O,OOOfr. from
the Civil List; and of donations and legaces be-
queathed to the fund. The singers dancers, and
personnel of the pallets are to have right to their
pension after twenty years services the chief of the
orchestra, ballet master chefs dM chant, and chief
machinist, after twenty years, and at so years Of
age; professors, accompanies, musicians, chorus
singers and machinists, after twenty-five years and
so years of age; and all others after thirty years
and go years of age. The services Of the singers,
chiefs Of orchestra professors musicians and chorus
singers, will be reckoned from the age of Is; for
dancers, from IL; and for others from the age of
rate Of the sxtieth part of the average salary of
each years service, but cannot exceed the
following rates For average salaries of 5000 fir.
and under, $500 f. pension; from 5000 fr. to 5000
fr, ZOO fr; 5000 fr. to 10000 r, 1900 fr 10000
fir. TO 10000 fr, 800 f.; 1000 fir. to $4,000 fr.
$500 fr Is 900 fr to Is 900 fr. $500 FRI Is 900 fr
to 900 fr 500 FRI 20 900 fr to "a 900 f 900 r.
900 r to 2S 900 fr 1900 fr; 900 fr to 80 900
f, $500 r.; 80 900 fr. to SO 900 fir, $500 fr; and
SO 900 fr to 40 900 900 fir. Services performed
in the Imperial lyrical theatres will reckon with
those rendered at the opera in establishing claim
to retiring PENSIONS but the services at the opera
must have attained twO-thrds of the whole time of
service required for establishing the claim. Any
artist, empoye, or agent wounded or injured in the
service of the opera, and rendered thereby unfit for
further duty, has an immediate right to the pension
Widows of art1stes who have obtained pensions will
shall have taken place five years before the cessation
of the services of the husband; and also widows of
artstes employees who lose their lives in the
vice of the theatre Orphans of artistes will also re-
ceive allowances until the age of lS.