The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-23

| TIE OPERA IN New YoRK-WHAr VIII. THE
| STOCKHOLDERS Do?-The associated artists, who
have been giving operate performances in Phi
ladelphia and Baltimore, closed their provincial
campaign last night, and will return to New
| York for the holiday season. No arrangements
! have yet been made for the appearance of this
| troupe in the metropolis, although it is under
| stood that the directors of the Academy are
| anxious that the house should be occupied for
its legitimate purposes. 1t is not probable that
this laudable desire will be satisfied unless the
directors offer to the artists better terms than
they have yet rendered to any manager or asso
citation Of managers The New York public
demands first class artists, grand orchestra
full ohoruses and proper theatrical accessories
Unless this demand is complied with the public
lets the Opera alone. More than all this,
the public finds that there is privileged
class in the Academy audience that the stock
holders take all the front seats in the house and
nearly all the proscenum boxes. We do not
attempt to deny the right of the Academy pro-
prietors to do what they please with their own
property; but we believe that we are justified
in saying that unless they make some arrange
ments whereby the Opera can be given they
practically nullify their charter. They were
incorporated as an association for the advance
ment of the musical taste of the community.
| and it is their plain duty to take all possible
steps to carry out the intention of the Legisla-
ture. Our friends across the river have given
the Academy people good lesson. When the
Brooklyn Academy of Music was chartered it
was intended that subscribers holding five hum
privilege of one secured seat But the Board
of Directors, seeing how disastrously this
arrangement worked in other cities have re-
Gently rcscinded the rule, and now the Brooklyn
stockholders are placed on the same footing as
the general public, with the sole exception that
they have the right Of entrfe Free 1t is well
to notice, in this connection, that the heaviest
shareholders, Messrs. Lowe, Chittenden and
Pierrepont, who represent five thousand dollars
of stock each, were the most strenuous oppo-
nents Of the privileged seat proposition.
We desire to have it distinctly understood
that We appear in this matter as the represen-
| tatives Of the general public, and that while we
Irving place as to the course which they shall
adopt, we do not intend that the position Of the
artists shall be misrepresented. They have so
far managed their affairs in faithful, business
| like manner. The press in other cities compli-
| ments them upon their fidelity to the public,
as well as upon the general excellence of
| their representations. They have proved
| that Italian artists can hold together, just
as Garibaldi and Victor Emanuel have
shown that Il 10 not apostolic Tor
Italian politicians and soldiers to unite their
forces in the accomplishment of a great pur-
pose The faet that the leading artists receive
no pay until all other demands have been salts
fed stills the old cry that the Opera could not
be made to pay because of the exorbitant de-
mands of the singers. Now the artists demand
nothing. They simply ask to be guaranteed
against the possible contingency Of being
obliged to pay for the privilege of singing TO
the stockholders. The proprietors Of the Aca-
deny are men Of mark and responsibility
They have direct interest in fostering all at
tempts to relieve the public mind by refining
amusements, such as the Italian Opera; and it
is their duty, ~ 1t should be their pride and
pleasure to assist the artists, by using their
personal influence to raise a moderate sub
scription, and by making the rent Of the
theatre contingent upon the profits. They
might be satisfied with one-half the best seats
and boxes. If the stockholders give the ar
fists proper encouragement, we have no doubt
that the public will sustain short opera
to return to the provinces without appearing
in New York.