The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-10-25

OPENING OF NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE ESTABLISH
AENT OF ITALIAN OPERA.-We understand that
negotiations have been commenced for the re-
establishment of Italian Opera at the Academy
of Music, under new auspices. The recent con-
troversy, leading to some ugly personalities be-
tween the directors and Max Maretzek, has left
an irreconcileable feud between the parties, and
has broken off any attempts that might have been
made to reinstate the Odd inpresario, Max. On
the other hand, we learn that number of ambi-
ticus musical personages, anxious to distinguish
themselves in Opera management, have taken
the field within the past few days, and commenced
negotiations with the directors for the opening Of
the Academy under new direction. Among
these personages is Mr.. Strakosch who, in comb
nation with several astute Hebrews who have " de
monish, ~ has been endeavoring to strike bargain
for the lease of the Academy. Mr.. Strakosch
has under engagement at present very good
concert company, with Parodi as the prima
donna, that noble Roman, Tiberini, as the tenor
Bernardo and Morino, excellent baritones He
only wants basso and prima donna compi-
maria to make up very respectable troupe.
Some months since another distinguished indi-
vidual, Mr.. Fry, proposed to Strakosch that their
forces should be united, and thus make team,
including Strakosch as the musical director, Ed
ward p. Fry as the financial manager and Will
liam H. Fry, who is now in the country making
bad speeches for Fremont, as the composer, to
furnish original American Operas.
These three distinguished individuals-for they
have been notorious or distinguished which sabout
the same thing, in operate matters-have certain
merits and certain dement's but altogether, it
would be only just to give them good start and
a fair trial for the ensuing season. We certainly
have no reason to think very highly of either of
these remarkable personages, but we shall not be
wanting in magnanimity, and we sincerely trust
that they have profted by their former experiences
and that they win display capacity, talent, saga
city and genius as managers Of the Italian Opera.
Mr. Strakosch has great merit as q musician, but
is versatile and unreliable as man. 1t is pro-
bable however, that with two or three distin-
guished Hebrews with ode monish" at his back,
he viii make pretty good manager for the or
chestra the chorus the press the ballet girls and
other elements considered necessary for the sue
cess Of the Opera Mr. E. p Fry was in former
days rather vain Of his oratorical abilities, and
made too many speeches before the curtain and
behind the scenes, but we have the authority of Mr..
Hackett-the Baron, wemean-that he was q very
good financier, keeping his books fair and square.
1t is possible that he has learned wisdom in the
dear school OF experience, and that he may be
greatly improved. The third member of this
great trio is Mr.. William ii. Fry, the famous mu-
steal composer. He once had an opera called
" Leonora,' which was played to admiring
houses in Philadelphia, but which was severely
criticised by the journals of the day. There is
no harm in giving the maestro another chance to
display his musical genius and his power as a
composer We are perfectly willing that the ex-
pertinent should be tried. Mr.. Fry must, how
ever, be more judcious in his music than he is
IN his politics
One thing more. If Mr. Phalen and his coad-
tutors resolve to place the Academy under the
temporary direction OF the persons above
named, We stipulate for the entire freedom OF
the press in operate criticism, without the fear
of Libel suits. If there are any quarrels between
the managers and the artists, and the press
takes sides with the unfortunate singer, and
against the manager, we demand that its right
to speak freely on the subject shall not be in
fripged. With this understanding we are per-
fectly willing that the Academy should pass into
the hands OF this combination, and il Mr. Phalen
intends to make an arrangement with them, we
hope il will be done at once. We are all dying
Tor the Opera, and must have il under some di-
rection or other. We trust that Strakosch aud
Company will avoid all the rocks and snags aud
come out with flying colors aad plenty of I" dc
monish.r