Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-03-28

coal wharyes are on strike for - per day.
THE OFHRA-CARD PROM MANAGER GRoy-
BR-I have barely arrived in the city from .
we. OF very great exertion in combining the
artists, chorus, orchestra, scenery, wardrobe.
properties. DC, necessary to the prod action OF
tire this evening. 1 have seen, with really
regret, a card emanating from another theatre.
wllfully intended TO injure my business with
take. understanding low little the great public
enter into managerial squabbles, but the advice
OF very many friends with whom have con-
der a transparent e1ort after the sSmpatSies Of
the public, being the third or fourth attempt,
has determined me to make an exoneratinS
q simple question Of facis as to myself
First, is not the card in question bald at
tempt to injure my business with the opera!
II II, it i. do no. do right in s.posing III II
the wrong. dislike this sort Of thing greatly.
l got on sufficiently well without it. arm able
TO keep my promises and preserve my faith
win the public; that 10 sufficient for me. But
when this attempt to in lure my business 10
made, not once but over and over again it pro.
vokes me, and may say something hasty-al.
ways responsible for what do say.
If, as the card says, the opera company has
not kept faith with the public. then what es-
pecial business is II Of this manager just nowt
the time 1t occurred, Caunor the public lock
after lis own disappointment We will CONS
presently as to who is responsible for that dis.
appointment.
1t is clear the card is published not because
the public has been aggrieved, but simply to
Injure the business OF the Opera at this time
Upon the occasion Of my giving some operate
matinees in the early part of the season. this
same trick was undertaken. Announcement
was made by advertisement and notices tina,
the Max MaTetzek troupe from New York had
sngged And shortly to ppsT
the matinees and iniure it. I knew he was
not engaged by. the other theater. He has no,
appeared during the flee months 'chich hare sine
elapsed, nor as he notr engaged.
VINO is responsible to the aRgrieyed public
In This case? / coptented myself then, as
wish l might now, with simply announcing
Z" Martha" would be by me presented in a more
con p'ete manner than any opera had hitherto
b en- given in this city, and that by NO posi-
bility curing the season, would it be better pre-
Now, the members Of the late German Opera
trcupe-artists, chorus, orchestra, and at.
tsches-werc under salary, which, just before
they were to have come here, they failed to re.
cetye. They had no assurance that their sale-
ries would be paid them while here, by their
to blams9 Certainly not. Their services We're
In the greatest possible demand. They could
not afford to lose their salaries, nor to run the
risk: they hesitated. Promptness, energy,
with a little money, would I'VE brought them.
The announcements had already Id two
thousand and three hundred dollars worth Of
T.. q
response to an advertisement never was before
known in this city, save for the Sanitary bens-
fit, at my theater. Why were not these artists
brought here, il not Monday, at least Tuesday,
No the entirely innocent parties, who were
oblghed to take care OF self and family, wera
implicated, and the sympathies Of the public
were asked for 3 substituted entertainment.
The mOmbers OF the opera company were
eagerly snapped MP by Max Maretzek, who 60;
tw 0 bassos and a part OF the chorus aud or
chestra, (Which has every where borne the rep
rtoff ,rfA Shaf
America.) Grau's troupe secured several, aud
Cots chalk got tenor-one Of the finest voices
ever In opera In this country. This troupe had
through their self constituted agent; but NO,
liking to give opera in this city during Lent,
declined.
cured seats for the operas announced and from
every musician, publisher, and manager with
whom have conversed, that this opera troupe
contained more talent aud worth than was any
where else to b found, and was sure, with
proper ms nagement to be a great success, am
the individual who 'shas saw fit to gather
them together again from the West, from the
East, from Grau, from Pistsburg. from Maret-
EEK, from Cots chalk, and from New York. /
have brought them on by special cars, and in-
tend to give opera here.
desire TO stand correct with this public compel
me to this course, but. as am in for 1t, i may
as well finish. The party of the card s'will not,
although advised by legal gentleman that he
has the power, be the occasion of another dis
appointment by legal proceedings" etc.
About q year ago. after had given the en-
tire receipts Of my theatre for q night, yielding
six hundred dollars, to the sufferers by the
burning of q theatre In this city, Mr.. Rogers,
my stage manager, took benefit. Through
the advice OF person in the confidence Of tina
dramatist who was in the employ OF the man
ager Of the bnrned establishment he announced
for performance q sort Of drama entitled,
Horseshoe ROBINSON At night, inst be tore
the curtain WAS TO ring up. was served with
notice by another employees OF this manager.
that would be prosecuted for infringing the
copyright law if the piece was played. I apol-
oe lied to the audience without, in any manner,
iucuipating the manager referred to, by re-
grets that he " had saw flt' ct cetero, and sub
stftuted smother play. The copyright law is q
just one, and should not be infringed. The
beneficiary, Mr.. Rogers, was responsible for
announcing the play. But the manager here
referred to subsequently boosted to several
persons that he purposely withheld his notice,
to tie just in time TO cause greatest trouble, and
lead TO greatest disappointment. IL
have NO claim upon any ones sympathies
in this operate speculation Of mine. am
provoked into this card. = have simply great
amount Of money invested In the opera and
do not wish 10 lose it through any SrJea al OF
sympathy. Whenever the public il this city
do me the honor TO purchase two thousand
and three hundred dollars in tickets, they
shall have an opera If l have to go to Europe
for il.
Respectfully, LEONARD GROVER.