The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-03

bly, enough Not but that some or our merchant
princes are as liberal and generous as any
royal princes, dukes or lords. The difficulty
is that they have not yet learned to regard
this matter In Its proper light; but 1t is our
intention to discuss ii with them until they do
understand It, Nor shall we address ourselves
to any less noble faculties than their reason
and Judgment; and it will require but slight
exercise Of these to see that those who have
money to spare can make no better use of it
no use that will reflect more honor on them
selves-than to contribute part oft to the de-
velopment Of a taste which, it is admitted by
all whose opinion on the subject Is Of any
value, produces so powerful an influence Oh
human happiness.
AS our people are more disposed to initiate
the example Of England than that of any other
country we cheerfully turn our attention to
England. If her course In regard to the opera
be initiated we shall be satisfied for it will
be an immense Improvement on the course
hitherto pursued in this country. In order
that there may be no encouragement it is we'll
to bear in mind that our English cousins have
had their struggles for the establishment of the
opera as well as we; it has required the efforts
of the greatest minds as we'll as the most
liberal pecuniary patronage. In London,
as well as in Paris, those who first
tried to introduce the opera were regarded as
crazy fanatics or diabolical innovators on
ttme-honored customs, whose most appropriate
rewards were unsavory eggs hurled at their
heads. In short, Sir William Davenant
became as much an object of popular distrust
and dislike In 1884 for having accepted the
position of director Of the OPERA in COM
pliance with the earnest wish of Charles H.,
as Erasmus had become nearly century and
Q half previously for having undertaken to
teach Greek to the students of Cambridge
University. Thus, as in the time of Henry
Will, Greek was the language of Satan, so in
the time of Charles II. the opera was the
music of Satan, and it took the friends of the
whole century to convince the public that it
had as little to do with Satan as painting,
architecture or any other harmless art or
science.
1t may well excite smile now that this
should have required any great effort, but it
required the effort of men of genius The
lyric drama was still regarded as very sinful
thing at best when Dean Swift suggested to
Gay, the poet, the idea of the 'tBeggar's
Opera" The author Of 'sGulliver's Travels"
told his friend to write Newgate pastoral, in
which all the characters should be thieves and
highwaymen, who would relate their
exploits in song, and in order to encourage
him he dashed off several sketches
for him the same night. This satisfied
Gay. He undertook the work and its success
astonished all. A still deeper impression in
favor of the opera was made by Sheridan's
is'Duenna, which had a run of seventy-five
nights It elected such enthusiastic applause
the first night that the great orator and
dramatist was readily induced to manage its
representations himself. After this the friends
Of the opera had but little trouble. All that
was wanting now to secure foothold for the
italian opera was money, which was soon con-
trlbuted freely. The opera house in the Hay
market was built in 1904, the next year sub
sidy was granted by the King and from this
forth the opera may be regarded as established
In England.
Now, there Is but one Of all the obstacles
alluded to above which the opera has not
already overcome in this country. None OBJ
ject any longer to the beautiful exotic all
admit that it deserves our fostering care.
Shall 1t be allowed to sicken and die because,
like everything else that serves to refine and
delight us. It requires money to support 1t?
We hope there is no danger of this. We have
suggested on former occasions how much
Academy Of Music alone, and we are con-
WINGED that the majority Of them have every
disposition to do what is right, as evidenced
by the concession referred to above; but
as we have already explained, they must
make still greater sacrifices. Very few, if
any, occupy their boxes every night during
amy season" Thus many of the best seats
are empty, when they might just as well be
occupied for the benefit and encouragement
of the director. Where there is no governm ent
subsidy the director must have an inducement
Ia some other form to exert himself as a caterer
the privilege of using every vacant seat, he
should also have every source Of emolument
connected with the Academy now possessed
by the stockholders. Thus, for example, the
barroom is but small affair to the latter, still
smaller are the bouquet tables; but either,
especially the former, would be of considerable
importance 70 the manager. In short, If we
want good things Of any kind we should be
willing to pay for them, and willing to give
every reasonable encouragement to those who
provide them for Us. Unit! our men of wealth
learn to understand this neither they nor their
less fortunate fellow citizens can ever realize
those pleasirea and advantages Qf the opera
which 10 one nag ,dlse1fhed more happily 81