The New York herald., 1870-03-20
Our Theatrical Orehsstras.

Oar Theatrical Orehsstras.
Nearly every European theatre-goer Ia visit
Ing this city remarks the inferiority Of the
orchsstras Of our dramatic establishments when
compared with every other department con-
nected with the stage. In other respects the lead
ing theatres of the metropolis are fully equal. II
not superior, to any houses in Europe. Lon
don and Partisan sensations have been brought
out here sometimes with better scenery, richer
costumes and stronger casts than at the
theatres across the ocean where they first
saw the light But the music generally forms
contrast to the rest of the performance. Why
does,such state of things exist in COM
munity large proportion of which is made up
of musicians? We have the richest musical
gleanings from Italy, Germany, France and
England here, orchestral leaders of unques-
tionable ability, and public Of decided taste
and proverbial lberality. Yet no theatre
in New York can boast of first
class orchestra. The fault lies with
the managers and the musicians themselves.
Most of the latter belong to q narrow-minded,
illiberal monopoly called the Musical Mutual
OF which seem to be framed especially for the
purpose Of retarding the progress Of art. Ac-
cording to this organization orchestral leaders
are made the slaves Of those over whom they
WELD the baton. They are not permitted to
engage any musician who does not belong to
the society, and a not inconsiderable portion
Of the earnings Of poor players goes into tho
hands Of the rapacious harpies who control the
monopoly. Then the substitute system-which
cannot be classed under any head but that Of
injustice and unfairness-is the offspring Of
this soi-disant Protective Union. Suppose
feature in his band, and engages superior
player at an advanced salary for the purpose
he cannot count one night in the season upon
the attendance of the player. A difficult work
is rehearsed and produced after long and care
full preparation. It is more than likely that on
the first night it is played the dismayed con-
ductor will look around and find new faces
iu the orchestra, many Of whom have
not one idea Of the music placed before them.
If the leader ventures to demonstrate he is
summoned before the Sanhedrim of the
s'Union," and perhaps fined. It will be re-
membered that few years ago nearly all the
orchestras in the city indulged in strike be-
cause the managers, or rather their leaders, re-
fused to accede to their terms. According to
the rules of the association no leader is safe in
making an engagement, as at secret meeting
the terms agreed upon with the musicians at
the beginning Of the season may be ignored
and other figures substituted. The following
resolution passed by this Protective Union"
will give an insight into its real character =
Resolved, That q member bringing cnarge
against another member before the Executive Com
mttes shall not be required to appear personally to
substantiate his charge; the Executive Committee
himself the Charge made and
found guilty shall be fined accordingly. Should the
party accused e plead guilty. the ordinary ans ana
and It be proved, then In all cases. the INES sha %
doubled.
Pretty protection, that, to art One of the
uptown theatres engaged three or four instru-
mentalists in the orchestra on the express con-
dition that they play themselves and send no
substitutes. How the leader has managed so
far to evade the consequences Of his temerity
in disobeying the mandates of the Protective
Union we are at a loss to know.
The managers also display the most supreme
Indifference as to the quality of music they
have in their theatres. They sometimes
engage good leader, but they hamper him so
etfectually with their false ideas of economy
and their crude notions on music that they
might as we'll take the baton in hand them
selves. The selections on the programme are
often made without the slightest reference to
the nature of the performance. If these
managers will only assist and encourage the
leaders in their endeavors to give good music
and oppose the system of substitutes the
Musical Mutual Protective Union will soon be-
a thing Of the past. They owe it to the public
and to themselves. Our theatrical orchestras
have become byword Of reproach in this
city, and all through the Indifference Of
managers and the illiberality of the musi-
clans. 1t is high time change should be
made.
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