The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-08-21

OF their N0f0efa -Rreeqrol. but We 40 QQt
hold that they should be made demigods Of 81
msll politiciahs and INSCRIPTIONS traders,
whose toadyism and obsequiousness not only
degrade themselves as Americana, but must
disgust all honorable men coming from any
quarter.
New Opera House for the Metropolis.
We learn that the Russian government has
declined to pay the operatic subvention, and
that the Opera House at St. Petersburg has con-
seQuently closed. II Is reasonable to suppose
that the usual subvention was withheld because
the Opera was not worth the money. We pre-
sumo that some impudent and ignorant German
adventurer had, by hook or by crook, become
the manager of the ST. Petersburg Academy of
Music; that he had made little money, and
had grown meaner as he grew richer; that he
had refused good artists the salaries they de-
manded and deserved, and had engaged cheap
and poor artists In order to swindle the st. Pc
tersburg public, and that the Russian govern
ment, determined that its subjects shall hear
good music or none at all, has refused the sub
vention in order to close the Opera House and
drive the German adventurer back to the land
of lager.
In this country, under similar circumstances,
we manage matters differently. Instead Of
shutting up our Opera House we invoke the
genius of opposition. When q manager turns
out to be failure we do not allow this to de-
prive us Of Opera; but we find another manager,
open another lyric theatre, and transfer our
patronage to that. The St. Petersburg mode
Of revenge simply Furnishes the public for the
fault of the impressario. The New York
method is to punish the impressario by leaving
him with beggarly account of empty boxes
and vacant STALLS while in cosier and better
conducted establishment fashion flirts her fans
and displays her magnificent toilettes, the
habitues flourish their eyeglasses and ear
trumpets, the critical appreciate and applaud,
the ladies discuss the newest scandal and
the last bonnet the gentlemen throng the lob
bies between the acts, and everybody listens,
more or less, to the divine vocalism of those
really excellent artists who, through pique
or false economy, were tabooed at the de-
serted house. At St. Petersburg the manager,
who has not soul above pretzels, has been
permitted to spoil the season; but in New York
we leave the ex-sausage vendor out in the cold
and go on enjoying ourselves as usual.
The taste for Opera, which appears to be
dying out in most parts of Europe, is on the
increase in this country. Especially is this in
crease evident in the metropolis. To accom-
modate it new Opera House will shortly be
built, and we have been shown the plans for
the new edilce. In location, size, ornamen-
tation, acoustic properties and every other
feature the new Opera House will be all
that can be desired if the present plan is sue
eessfully carried out As the enterprise is in the
hands Of some of our wealthest men there can
be but little doubt upon this score. The most
active and indefatigable of our operate mana
gers, the irrepressible Grau, is now in Europe
engaging first class artists for the new estab-
lishment, and upon his return he will assume
its direction. The New York public have not
forgotten that they were indebted to Grau for
Opera at season, during tho war, when no
otherrnan had confidence enough in himself,
the people and the Union to engage in any
such undertaking. The provincial public have
been furnished with regular operate perform
ances, during the past few years, by the same
energetic impressario, and are consequently
devoted to his support There is every reason
to believe, therefore, that the new Opera House
will be Immediately and permanently popular
under Manager Grau's administration, and that
1t will compete triumphantly with our present
big barn Of an Academy.
The summer season is nearly over, and our
bellies and beaux are preparing to return to
the metropolis. Tho recent excitement in Wall
street has already drawn many family parties
to the city. Our country cousins have not yet
left us, however, but may be seen admiring
the alligator at the beautiful Park Of an after
noon, or staring, Open-mouthed, at the Irish
comedians now acting at the theaters of an
evening. What with those who have returned,
those who have stayed here, those who are
coming back and those who are not yet going
away, New York will be full before very many
days. Ofcourse all these residents and visitors
will desire TO have the new Opera House open
at the commencement Of the fall season, so that
they may flock TO it at once. Rome, however,
was not built in year, and an Opera House
cannot be erected in month. Still, in order
to satisfy the public, compromise has been
effected. There is gem Of lyric theatre at
the corner of Madison avenue and Twenty-ifth
street, which was built and is owned by Je-
rome, the millionaire. This Opera House will
seat about five hundred people, and there, be-
fore the elite Of the metropolis, Manager
Grau's inaugural performances will be given.
AS in these times everybody claims to be
among the elect, we have no doubt that every
seat will be taken by subscription and that
the applications will be dozen deep. Thus
we shall speedily have novel and charming
addition to the attractions Of this brilliant city,
and shall teach st. Petersburg lesson in the
NO vou,out and puuiahruaot 80 :coouooto~x