The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-01-27
How italian Opera Can Succeed nj the
Academy.

How italian Opera Can Succeed nj tho
Academy.
The weak, spasmodic attempts which are
periodically made at our representative opera
house to revive public interest in Italian
opera only excite disgust in the minds of all
who desire to see this great branch of the lyric
art permanently established in this city, and
by their constant failure do more harm than
good. When some artist of acknowledged
reputation arrives from Europe forthwith a
manager seizes him or her, leases the Academy
for brief season, and, without paying the least
attention to necessary details, gives the same
skeleton performances Of Italian opera that
have almost driven the memory of genuine
lyric drama out Of the minds Of the metro
politan public. In the opinion of the manager
the star is sufficient attraction, without
regard to ensemble of cast, chorus orchestra,
scenery or appointments. When the inevita-
BILE failure takes place the managers sole
excuse is that he is SO hampered with condi-
tons attached to his lease Of the opera house
that be finds it impossible to produce operas
in the style necessary for their perfect
representation. Some Of these conditions
are certainly calculated to discourage even
the most enterprising impresario. Besides
being obliged to give up two hundred and fifty
of the best seats in the house to the stock
holders, without receiving any compensation
therefrom, he has no jurisdiction over host
OF employees attached to the building. The
Ia x,o
sons who attend the bar and restaurant down
stairs are entirely Independent Of him, and
doorkeepers, stage hands and ushers owe him
no allegiance. This alone is hard condition;
for manager should have full control in his
theatre. Then he is prohibited from making
any material changes on the stage which
may be necessary to the production Of
certain operas. The terms Of the lease
are 50 worded that he scarcely re-
ceives anything but the bare walls
and collection Of old scenery which is Of
little use to him. The only remedy for this,
and the proper way to make Italian opera sue
cessful at the Academy, is for the stockholders
to lease the house for long term to some
manager in whom they can have confidence
and to give him full and unrestrained power to
regulate everything connected with the house,
as he may deem expedient. Then, if they de-
sire to retain their seats, they should pay for
them, and as they represent some of our
wcalthiest citizens they should furnish the
manager with subscription at the COM
mencement Of the season large enough
to enable him to meet large pro-
portion Of his expenses. Italian opera
is an expensive luxury and cannot be sus-
tanned in the same manner as the drama, by
depending merely on the patronage of the
general public. No ampresGrio in Europe
would venture to commence a season without
the express guarantee of o large subscription
from the wealthy classes, who alone are able
to sustain such luxury. Then manager
can present Italian opera in it's entirety and
bestew the same attention upon the scenery
and appointments as Wallack, Booth and DAILY
do in the production Of their plays. But the
stockholders must have confidence in the
manager, leave his hands unfettered and assist
him substantially.