The New York herald., 1876-01-19
The Operate Season.

The visit of Mr. Mapleson, the English
operatic manager, to this country has
naturally excited much curiosity. He has
not yet announced his object, but we may
safely assume that he wishes to judge tor
himself of the musical prospects in America
for the centennial year. This would be wise,
and it is made more probable by the fact that
Mr.. Mapleson's operatic season in London
this year will be brief The new opera
house on the Thames emban kment intended
to be the most complete in the world, will
be opened under his management in Febru-
ary, 1877, and to give effect to that event Mr..
Mapleson is likely to elsewhere deploy his
musical forces in the interval America
seems to us, of all fields in the world the
finest during the centennial year The
International Exhibition will attract an i'm
mense number of people from Europe and
all parts of America to New York as well as
Philadelphia, and to leave music out of that
grand meeting of The arts would be III Ike !eay-
ing the Prince of Denmark out of Hamlet .
Another fact to be remembered is that this
year is unlike all others, as the season will
begin earlier than usual by several months
and will include the whole summer, fall and
winter. That Mr.. Mapleson perceives the
extraordinary nature of this opportunity is
probable. He has certainly not visited
America to engage artists, and we take it for
granted he has come to arrange for bring
ing them. We compliment him upon the
sagacity which this purpose implies If Mr..
Mapleson, in conjunction with Mr. Stra-
kosch, should begin an operate season here
in the spring or summer we believe it would
successfully extend far into the next winter.
Her Majesty's Opera embraces some of the
finest artists in the world, and would COM
mand larger musical public in America
than even in the English provinces
The present season has been an off year in
music That is an important fact to be con-
sidered in estimating the success of the next
season. Mr.. Strakosch, with that enthusi-
asm as q manager for which he is well
known, has triumphed over many Difficult
ties and will begin a short season of Italian
opera on the oath inst, with Mile. Titiens
in some of her finest roles. 1t comes late,
but is none the less welcome. This enter
prise, however, would only promote the
grander and far more extensive season of
centennial opera We should expect Mile.
Titiens to remain, and are certain that other
singers not less celebrated would be in
cluded in the company. There is, indeed,
no want of artists. The Wachtel season is
ended, and the famous tenor would, no
doubt, remain. Mile. Pappenheim has been
studying Italian roles, and Miss Adelaide
Phillips has been organizing company.
All that centennial opera requires is a great
manager We shall be happy to find him in
Mr.. Mapleson. 1t is to be trusted that his
visit to America will not be useless, and that
in consultation with Mr.. Strakosch he may
plan brilliant, victorious musical cam
paign. We can assure him that the Ameri-
can people desire and expect great season
of centennial opera in New York and Phila-
delphia especially, that they are able to sup
port it, and we would remind him that in
music, not less than in war, ''the kings
name is tower of strength"