The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-11-14
Cheap Theatres.

We perceive that the opera prices are re-
duced--a fact which, we take II, argues, Or
might be SO supposed, that the quality Of the
entertainment must be reduced also, In order
to make it pay. Now, we do not want cheap
talent at low rates. It will not do to import
second or third class artistes from Europe ct
small salaries with view simply to keep up
Italian opera. The public got disguised with
having to pay reasonable prices Tor very poor
talent, and they will not consent to accept .
lesser order Ct talent, even at lower price.
while they are perfectly willing to pay for Tho
best artistes at an equitable figure.
The genius of the American people Is op-
posed TO cheap things. They do not recognize
value in anything unless they have to pay
good price for It, Least Of all will they have
cheap theatres. II ever there was tendency
towards economy in the purchase Of anuss.,
msnts II has been thoroughly cured By the
war and the exiravagant notions that grew out
Of it A people who can run up vast ma
tional debt of three thousand millions, and caa
smile and dismiss him with polite bow sfter
satisfying his demands, will never con-
sent to accept . one dollar opera from
the generosity Of any manager. In tho far
of purliem Of the upper east end cheap
theatres, where peanuts and popcorn arc ~
much appreciated as Shakespeare, Sheridan
and Schiller, and "bi, hi !" ID the ultimalum Of
applause, may do we'll enough; but where In
telligence and fashion seek theatrical haunts
cheap prices will not suit at all The system.
in Short Is contrary to the spirit Of the age,
and the spirit Of the age Is no more to be tri6ed
with in the matter Of theatrical Management
than in the path Of material progress. There
are new theatres springing up oil around a.,
but they cannot be supported ct halfprics
rates. Bricks and mortar cost something
nowadays, and art has come to be rated Of
quotations . little higher than dry goods
Actors and actresses must live like gentlemss
and ladieA Opera singers Of such quality
- our improved taste demands cannot be had
for next to nothing. Even tbs ballet angels
must have salaries equivalent TO the price Of,
handsome clothes to wear on Broadway, al
though they can manage to get along with
very scsnt supply Of the same on the stage.
It 10 evident then, that above all things II.
the way Of cheap amusements, Italian opera
can least afford o reduction in the tariff, espo-
cially ut time when there are two or three
good artistes on the boards that for SO long >
time were occupied exclusively by third ratio
singers. We are going 10 have anew American
opera house very soon, to which the energies
of Mr.. Pike are to be devoted, or at least such
portion Of them as be can spare from whiskey
speculations and iron dikes, from internal
revenue botheration and the Jersey meadows.
This will be . splendid building, and Is now
almost completed Other theatres we have, too,
with respectable and attractive performances
moral lessons" ~ at the Broadway moral
warnings, like the Black Crook and DEVILS
Auction, respectively at Niblo's and Banvard's;
the Legitimate" Of wal.ack's; the pious and
patriotic, but watery, Interpretation OF Beeoher
at the New York theatre, and the spectacular
and neurological 1t the Olympic; but who
expects to enjoy these miscellaneous Injuries
for halfpricef The idea h vulgar; Il 10 un-
popular (; In fAct II won't do. People will not
have anything that they do not pay for.