, 1874-01-25

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you 5ee," he said, and pointed to two or thret
gray hairs. ''Dut am young enough yet"
And 30, in truth, he appeared to De.
How oPEnA11c ENGAGEMENTS ARE MADE
Reportcr-How do you make your engage
ments in Europe?
tenn as any in ths world. Ny brother Maurice
who is lessee OF the Italions Theatre, Paris, has
MI owe open for talent, aud I think he's gooe
Judgment. too. 10 LOOKS ahead for any voict
that promises well for tle future, and then cap
lures it.
voices j?
Mr.. Strakosch-Eyerywhere Among tho stu.
dents: in the smaller combinations; i'll concert
halls; wherever there il voice that strike.
him.
Reporter-And how long ahead do you make
Mr strakosch-Three, four, and sometimes
FIVE years.
Reporter-Thcn what do you dor
TANNING THE CHANCES
Mr.. Strakosch-We take charge Of the owner,
people and endenvors to develop them.
Reporter-And do they always fill his e1pec-
tations?
Mr. 6trakosch-No, indeed II We find one
success III twenty people We think We hare done
we'll.
Reporter risk is large; don't you think
SO?
Mr. Strakoach-1t is, but we are repaid. Of
shall bo soon. Our object is to reduce the ell
ormous demands made by the prlma donnas and
remarkable tencrs, nud ne shall eventually
succeed.
OUR SUCCESSES.
Reporter-Who are your most assured sue-
cesses under this system7
Alr Strakosch-THE YR1BUSE mentioned them
in a very clever article some days ago. The two
best known arc Adelina Patti and Miss Cary, but
there are many others Of whom We are proud
Minnie Kauck, sessi, Jednlay, Belocca, Aaresl'
aud Belyal.
An ENGAGEMENT
Reporter-How do you make your engage
ments +?
Mr.. Strakoech-They vary with different peo-
Pile. Sometimes they demand that per cent
age of THAR pay be secured III advance; some
times lulf Of it, sometimes more or less. We
have d contract with Adelina patt to come to
the United Suites now. It has been RUNNING
since 1863. She promised to como in 1874, Gut
she will not. Meanwhile she pays III forfeit
every year she fails to come. By the way, haye
copy Ut her contract with us, in French Will
read it to you. It reeds thus:
AdeJna Patti resident In Paris and by authority Of
her husband Of the first part and Maurice Strakosch
Of thu second part THIS bond E1tnesseth that Adt-
On the 18th Of September 1874 After she has reposed
herself. from the fatigues Of the VOYAGE she engages
sing the cities Of the United States and Canada,
under the direction OF Max Srakosch, who represents
Matrce strakoach 100 nights in operas oratorlos, OF
concerts, according to the choice Of Mr. sraSosch.
The representation IL to be two or three times
week. as a1ada1uc Patti chooses Madame Patti Is not
to sing on such days ahe travels In Of Sickness
ane engages herself to sing one hundred naghta 1n
America and her engagement shall be prolonged unt
this Is done.
The operas which are to be given are to be chosen
BY consent, but they are to he those which
NJ strat1sch enrares himself to nay Madame Patti
for each Of these performances II, ooo francs 5o0,
which to be paid to he1 after each representation
In order to assure Mndame Patti Of the payment
Of this sum. he engages himself & to g'ye r. osa On
child until the completion ct the contract. It will bc
placed in such funds will eecure to Mr. strakoseh
interest On the money.
Madane Patti, her husband. also two other persons Of
first and two persons Of second class WHO are to
be chosen by her will lt betrayed by Nr. Strakosc.
The rights Of force n.ajeure which may arise, and
other things which interfere with the present con
tract, to lie decided in favor Of AIr. Strakosch.
In case there shall be any tmpedtment which may
prevent Madame Patti from fulfilling her contract
may interrupt the execution OF this engagement which
ahe contracts ~ the present agreement NJ sf3kosch
has right to take his securities from B1ron Aoths-
child.
In case Mr. strakosch shall fail to deposit 100000
francs with Baron Rothschd all the above conditions
are null and void, and Madame Patti is fully released.
The present engagement ia signed By the Marquis DE-
Caux lis capacity Of husband Of Madame Patti who
has authorized her to make this contract
Reporter-When was that contract made out
3Ir- Strakosch-In 1869. It is still in force.
MADAME Pnttl pays forfeit OF 5, 600 francs
year for every year she breaks it. That is, she
paid one forfeit last year, aud will probably do
SO this year, also.
Reporter-Do other prima donnas exact such
terms
Mr. Strakosch-No, because they cannot.
THE BEGINNERS.
Reporter-How do yon manage with your
proteges?
Mr. StrakoecE-We give them small sums at
in our system, because Sa believe it to be sound.
At present there is no money Ill opera tho
prima donna wants too much. Ours is, believe,
the only way to lit artstes for the STAGE lyric or
dramatic.
Reporter-Do tho musical conserratories fur
nish you many pri1na donnns?
Mr. Strakoech-We only take those who have
won prizes at theso places, and they seldom
amount to anything. We skim the musical ele-
ment, taking only the cream; but IN this We are
not SO generally successful rs We shall be.
THE PR1MA DONNA.
Reporter-Your prima donna is an exactin9
creature, is she not-quite despot in her
Tay2
i1r. st1akoach-Well, no, I can't say I have
'ound it SO. II she is, it il because she ia in
it least compared With what hear of othec man
Lgers having.
Reporter-Does the lady expect many priv
leges
Mr.. Strakosch-Yea, OF courso she does, and |
,ets all she asks for. She expects her hotel ex-
'enses carriage hire, and all the othor expenses
he may incur paid by the management. But I |
Ill tell you that, c1actiag as tho ladies' may be, |
hey are not mean nor stingy. It al rests with |
hem, and il they choose they can be disagreea-
lie or agreeable about it.
Reporter-Pattis contract demands tho trav-
ling expenses OF six persons. Is that the usual
umber
Mr. Strakosch--No that would be too much
hey range from one to four generally, besides
le prima donna.
Repo1ter-And when you have four ladies in
he company, you may expect to pay expenses
d twelve?
Mr. Strakosch-Exact1y.
MANAGED AND AGENT.
Reporter-And what is the nature Of your re-
tion to the members of your company? Do
ou deal with them through the medium Of an
gent?
Mr.. Enthusiastically speaking, in an
pcratic company every person has an agent,
hose sole duty is to harass tie managcr-as
arrett does SO clcveslY. There is but one agent
our company, and Ills name is Max StraLosch
ma n31eta1,r. and 11s name in HnnZnn,,d