New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-24
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
NIIISIC.
,~rFRRUPTIoN OF THE OPERA SEASON.

INTERRUPTION OF THE OPERA SEASON.
The card from Mr.. Maretzek which appears
A. ur advertising columns speaks for itself We are used
- such things and Is he and probably no one who
watched the fluctuations Of the season will be sur
,sed at the abrupt suspension Of performances. Italian
has not prospered in New York for several years
nor IA il likely to prosper until way found OF col
aectng better companies and presenting them WIN
liberal outlay for the accessories OF scenery chorus
and wardrobe than recent managers have felt aDe u
aSord How this be done is problem not very easy
of solution. Tho experiment would be costly one,
and probably II the Academy Of Music were hlieu
every night, at the present prices OF admisSlon'
che receipts would not suffice to pay the expenses Oh
well managed season. The stockholders might r"so w
the PROSTATE fortunes Of the lyric drama they cho
they might surrender their right TO the three hu"u
best seats Tor at least they might cease 10 peuue NO
fickets to outside persons) and they might SNARE ~
pense OF new scenery and decorations, as otner '
ovners do when new operas are TO be presented vi
course we have no right to demand any thlnH Vi
This kind They may do as they Piea'o "i
their own; but their present parsmohiouS Pon'S
"a short-sighted and injurious 10 inc PIoPe't''
Besides the heavy direct tax OF the Tree Au''Ss'on
eystem (he stockholders privileges being equi'aeh'
90 an addition of $3.50 night the remit there Is another
way in which this system Expresses the manager SUN
more severely. On ordinary occasions perhaps t"o-
thirds OF the stockholders absent ana not more thah
af the absenees send other persons IN thelr places
usually ABOUT one nuuuTtu VI pcot
s Is empty including the most conspicuous boxes and
M ees in the front row OF the balcony Now the opera
N re d.peudent upon the within Of fashion than any
her public amusement; majority OF the audience are
only the supposed leaders OF society are
there and this majority would not 90 to hear Adelina
Patti herself unless there plenty of silks and dia
nonds to be seen the time. Upon audience OF
this kind nothing has depressing effect as row OF
empty boxes, and score OF vacant chairs in the front
nov may do the manager than the sharpest
c. .ticisms.
We mention these considerations not TO account d.
tectly for Mr. Maretzeks failure but to show why it is
Hcult impossible, for mpressario 10 risk the
C. of importing really good troupe under the present
Of the Academy Mr. Maretzek has tried
10 carry with good singers and scratch
company OF bad perhaps 1t was all he could do; at
any rate he has failed He made hit with Lefranc in
~wiam TELL" but that could not run forever. Lefrauo
alone without adequate support, was not enough Be
aides. he overwOrked, and atterly his singing has
given little pleasure judcious listeners Miss Kellogg
abe managers other card also tried but Miss kel
aogg alone proved unable to fill the house. She sang sew
ea times with Leranc and then public interest flashed
up for moment; but the public demanded frequent
change the first and second performances OF " Rig
oeto" for instance, in which the favorte tenor and
the fayorte soprano together crowded, but
che third did draw. There must be four representa-
sons every week mot counting BROOKLYN To say moth
ing Miss Kellogg Lerancs voice would not bear sueh
. Strain and his repertory, moreover, is small one
The has consequently been handtomouth
struggle for existence and since Carotts Patti is not 10
De had there is nothing for Italian opera TO do but to die
as decently as possible before Lent kills it. OF course
until Mr. Maretzek removed to some other sphere we
need expect the lie quiet in her grave There
always hope resurrection while that gentleman re-
mains aye and notwithstanding the dismal prospect OF
che moment. we shall look to him for new campaign
With perhaps fresh array Of attractions, before the
epriDg is far advanced,