The New York herald., 1868-05-12


tucky and Tennessee
Management and nIismnnayement of Italian
Opera. .r. a,e
We have had o singular experience OF
Italian opera in New York for some years past.
AS general rule opera management might be
translated to read opera mismanagement; for
most abominably mismsnaged 1t has been In all
possible kinds Of ways. Atthe huge catacombs
on Fourteenth street Maretzek got 1t so mixed up
that 1t fell through most hopelessly. With
theatre which is house of doom to every ac-
ceptable voice, and q succession of mediocre
artists thrust before discriminating public,
what else but failure could be expected there2
If it had not failed it would have been indeed
miracle However, Italian opera at the Academy
having caved in--having died Of repeated and
agonizing spasms. in which voices OF artists.
purses Of SmpresarSi, aspirations Of stock
holders, suffered horribly--it was transported
to the apparently healthy institution of Mr..
Pike, very respectable gentleman, prosper
ous in worldly goods, and, moreover, an excel
lent Judge Of whiskey. Here the misfortunes
of Maretzek followed like a shadow the fortunes
Of Italian opera, and it completely broke down
after an ephemeral existence, in spite of the
favorable auspices with which wealthy pro-
prietor like Mr.. Pike and an experienced man
ager like Mr.. Harrison ushered it into life.
At one time we had q good opinion of Maret-
EEK. We thought he could manufacture sue
1;op ad to
manufacture Mexican empire, and we actual
ly compared one Max to the other Max; but
they have both gone in the same way. The
Mexican leader was shot, and the New York
leader was snuffed out
We observe that Italian opera in London was
for long time subjected to a fate similar to
that which befeH it in New York. Failure fol-
lowed failure for a number of years, but now
there are two rival managers in the field and
opera is fairly started again, and appears to
blossom like the rose. Gye, Of ancient mana
gerial fame, in one theatre, and Mapleson in
another, are making italian opera eclipse all
other amusements in London. But, curious
enough, Italian opera there is not sung by
Italians, but by Americans. The p'5,so donna
in each rival house is flower of New York
growth. Van Zandt and Kellogg, who are
making fortunes for the London managers,
have been cultured and petted and nOurished
here. This fact is not less significant than
that the English newspapers should rely upon
American enterprise for their earliest news
from the English army in Abyssinia. If John
lp,,n 1ono - vo<lr oko,v ho xxxs11 6n oI
inside out by his former colony; for we are
rapidly outstripping him in diplomacy as well
as in art. We are getting solid foothold in
Japan and China, where he is only standing
upon a quicksand. Our Mr.. Burlingame is
going to put diplomatic girdle round about
the earth, and we may be sure that American
interests will be reverently and lovingly en-
braced within its limits. From opera to
empire the Yankees appear to rule the times
and govern the future In regard to opera
in New York, there Is q fine opportunity now
for two companies like those in London. We
have two houses vacant. There are plenty Of
singers and unknown numbers Of fiddlers idle,
eager and hungry for employment But we
want good managers, some fresh, disciplined
inpresuvH who can keep artists, stockholders
and fiddlers in control AS to the managers
who have lately attempted to run Italian
opera, they must follow in the downward track
of Maretzek and Barnum.