The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-08-11

Max Maretzek, Ills New Artists and the
Next Opera Season.
Max Maretzek has returned to this city from
Europe, having engaged several singers for the
next Opera season. Max of the Opera is more
of man of business than Max of the empire
for he went to Europe in person, while Maxi
milan sent an agent But when Macmillan
goes no will never return, while Maretzek Is
again among us In good health and more
oleaginous than ever. II so happens that our
Max and Maximillan's agent have accomplished
about the same thing by their journey. Eloin
received very little encouragement from Palm
erston and Napoleon, and came back without
any definite success. Maretzek's mission has
resulted In the engagement of q number Of peo-
ple but we doubt whether he can put bis
finger upon any one Of their names and declare
II 10 be strong card. Max Of the North and
Max of the South have gained equally little by
their transatlantic ventures
When we look over the list Of the new COM
pany we are surprised to find 1t so barren Of
attractions. We have certainly never heard Of
any of these singers before. More than this,
We are reliably informed that the most OF them
ore unknown even in Italy. They come to us
without the shadow Of reputation. New
York city surely deserves better treatment
than this. The next Opera season will be very
brilliant, so far as the audiences are concerned,
II Maretsek will only take ordinary pains to
please the people. If he does not please them
they will leave him aud 60 to the theatres, the
performances at which will be extraordinarily
popular. Against this powerful theatrical COM
petition what has Maretzek to present.
A parcel Of n0bodies whom we have no desire
to hear. They may be hired more cheaply
than good artists; but they will prove dearer
in the end. This shabby system Of operatic
management will not do for this metropolis.
We pay enough for the Opera, and we ought to
have 1t of the best material. II is bad enough
to buy whistle dearly; but the affair becomes
aggravated when we find that the whistle is of
inferior quality. and cannot be made to sound.
If Maretzsk is going to persevere 10 this sort
Of management we shall demand an operate
as we'll as municipal reform, and insist that
he shall be removed with the other heads OF
departments. e~-., ~.--
II is the misfortune of some men that they
become useless as soon as they become sue
cessful. They are great in their failures and
small after their triumphs. Whether or not
Maretzek belongs to this class remains to be
seen During his long struggle to establish
the Opera here he did very we'll, and gave us
excellent artists; but now that the Opera is
established bis enterprise and liberality appear
to diminish. Last season he refused to engage
several admirable singers. who were 10 the
oily and offered hin their services, and was con-
tan. viii e :AAos, cheaper and worse performers
Now he presents Us with list Of unknown
people, whom he would have blushed to own
as members Of his company few years ago.
This deplorable falling of is like the loss Of
insulation in the Atlantic cable;.it neutralizes
all the previous successful work. Is Maretzek,
then, like one who builds house that other
mon may dwell In 1t! Has be established the
Opera that other managers may reap all tho
honor and profit Of its prosperity Has
the Bohemian crew into whose hands
no has fallen already led him so far
from the right path! We assure him that
II he intends to conduct the coming season as
he did the past It will probably be the last over
which he will be called 10 preside in this city.
There is no lack Of good managers nor of good
artists either, If the managers choose to engage
them. The public know this, and are not to be
humbugged by nameless performers. Maretzek
has only to persist and he will complete the
mana llcI hot uo.p nj Nh yiu,ilian Roth
will be unanimously condemned by American
sentiment, and both will be compelled to quit
the continent in disgrace. There is Monroe
doctrine for the Academy as well as for Mexico.
We warn Max Maretzek not TO force Us to apply
il to himself