The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-10
Our Opera Hou.e.-nIop Changes.


We learn that Mr.. James Fisk has actually
bought Mr. Pixies beautiful opra house, at the
corner Of Eighth avenue AM Twenty third
street. Many rumors upon tis subject have
been current for several dayb and it is quite
as well that the public should know the exact
truth of the matter. In the fst place, Pixies
Opera House is to remain an opera house for
all time, and is not to be sacrificed to any pur-
poses of trade. Mr.. Batemanl who at present
holds the lease, is not only t remain in pos
session during this season, but is to continue
the management for an indefinite period. Mr..
Fisk entertains the liberal imitation Of sparing
no effort to make his neV property the
artistic centre of the city, and be means which
he possesses of accomplishing his purpose are
certainly powerful. While refining the opera
house intact he will lease the music hall and
other apartments in the building to the Erie
Railroad Company, and will rapidly bring to
contamination the plans for the completion
of the Twenty-third street ferry and
Of the new railway which is to pass
the door of the theatre. 1t is easy to
foresee how strongly public attention win be
drawn to locality which is to become the
headquarters of . business Ike that of the
Erie Company, and the sole quality which
Pixies Opera House lacked-that of holding
conspicuous and commanding position-will at
once be conferred upon it. Of the future of
the establishment we can say that it has been
determined to continue the successful repre-
sensations of OPERA 6oufs throughout the pre-
sent season. When ''La Belle Helene" is
Withdrawn 'sBarbe Bleue" is to be restored to
us, and after his career the last production OF
the liveliest Of modern composers will be
brought out, with number of novel and in
teresting accessories. 'La Perichole" will be
accompanied by new opera for Tostee, who
will appear on the same nights with Irma,
Aujac, and, in fact, the entire company united.
And after ''La Perichole" the full troupe is
expected to carry the season through in an
opera which requires the presence and calls
for the best exertions Of all of them.
Looking still farther ahead, we find schemes
for the temperance Of Miss Bateman, with
her new drama and new company, and for
the introduction of French and Italian operas
on scale of magnitude never before under
taken here. We may as well allow these pro-
iects to take care of themselves. They are
seriously entertained, But they are in the dis
tant future, and time may cause some altera-
ton in them. 1t is sufficiently satisfactory to
know that we are not to lose The most brilliant
theatre which the city possesses, or the SER
vices of . manager. of Batemn's ability and
experience.
Meanwhile Mr.. Grau, who, like General
Grant, makes no speeches, but whose acts are
more eloquent than words, continues his unre-
hitting labors to make the elegant remodelled
French theatre, on Fourteenth street, popular
and fashionable resort. For the present no
change appears to be necessary in his pro-
gramme, since 'sGenevieve de Brabant," with
its superb mise en- scene, the delightful singing
Of Rose Bell and Declauzas, the admirable
acting of Carrier and Beckers and the
inimitable drolleries of Gabel and Bourgoin, il
certain to satisfy the public for long period t
come. When its destiny is fulfilled, as il
course Of time it must be, Mr.. Grau has Other
and equally agreeable novelties to offer the
community, not only in the form Of opera 6oufe
but also In that of the moro refined Opero
c0miQue.
While considering the present and the future
successes of two OF our leading opera houses
it is impossible to reflect without regret upon
the melancholy fact that the establishment
which was once the real home of lyric arr
stands to-day . deserted shrine. Its former
glories are utterly etfaced by the presence Q
mountebanks and gymnasts Of all grades, and
even these have been forced to abandon it. 1t,
failing fortunes will hardly be restored by the
advent Of Max Maretzek, who comes in, 1t L
said, from the wilds Of the West for weel
with the intention Of once more trying bill
chances in the metropolis, but who is quit,
prepared, in case Of failure, to resume hi
gypsy wanderings beyond the Rocky Noun
tains.