New-York tribune., 1878-04-01
THE BATTLES OF THE OPERA
oIrARRELs OF THE PRlMA DONNAs.


and much controversy in the Western cities where
the singers have appeared. Many Of these reports
have represented Miss Kellogg and Madame R6ze as
filled with the bitterest rivalry and have asserted
that the latter prima donna has been treated re-
peatedly with marked injustice. The topic has
begun to be much discussed among the opera-gOers
of New-York and has inflamed the zeal OF
the partisans of the singers. Madame R0ze herself
does not appear to be in an unhappy state OF mihd
and if she has been ill-treated seems to be largely
unconscious of it.. But her husband, Mr.. Mapleson,
asserts that persistent attempts have been made
TO slight. bettle and annoy her in many
ways On the other hand, Mr.. Stra-
kosch declares that all would be peace and harmony
if it were rot for Mapleson, and that he mas Deeh
the fountanhead of most Of the unfrendly talk
The chief actors in this curious comedy speak 1or
themselves in the accompanying reports.
ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF THE STRIFE.
THE LADIES CONCERNED AvERsE TO STATING IhhiH
cpIrvAScrs. IF THEY HAVE ANy-MR MAPLE
son AND MIR. sTRAKosCH UNBURDEN THEIR
sOULs-MR. MAPLEsON's OPINION OF MIR. srRA
KosCH, AND MR.. sTRAKOsCHs OPINION OF MIR.
MAPLEsON.
The prOverbial jealousy of actors and opera
singers has found expression recently in The reported
d,ssension among the members OF the SraRos"h opea
troupe at Booths Theatre. The route o the com
pany described sort OF hyperbola from Phiiadeph'
through the large Western cities the line nay enuhe
I'm New-York The reports that reached this city from
time to time of the actions and speech OF cer'a"
leading members OF the troupe, were doubtless largely
tnotured with hyperbole From these, the trouble
seemed to have been most serious In CeVeiahu' 'hi-
cago and ST. Louis IL was lost sight OF lot SNORT
time but the troupe domiciied mere ina"
legion of abe-bodcd trooped forth III was re-
t.I hnnu aln1 In
many acts of Injustice heaped Marie Roze through
the influence of Miss Kellogg when this gossip appeared
In print IL drew out letter OF defence from Max Sua
kosch who made sweeping denial OF all inc iepo'''
and charged Mr. Mapleson the husband OF Marie hoAe'
with their origin. The rctort courteous followed rom
Mr.. Mapeson Then came letters from mutual iriehuS
those allies who can always be counted on to ember
onarlel The ladies have relieved the tedum oi Lent
ly espousng the cause OF the two prima donnas Ihe
discussion gives pungency to general conversation anu
life TO an opera audience during the long waits pet"
acts. As In all the great contests sprung from the
wrath OF celestial winds, this has two sides Aiu So
after Investigations 1t appears that all these operatc
auarrels grew ont OF ianccd breaches OF etiquette.
Tie story Of the original offence, reachedt the pub
lie through the medium gossip, TO the choct that
when Madame R0ze and hsr husband reached Ne" iork
Europe they at called At the Clarendon o'e
on Miss Kellogg although ordinary etiquette required
that Miss Kellogg should call Madame R0ze as they
had been intimate and had sung together at Her
Majesty's Opera House In London. But Madame koLe
having waited In vain for the expected courtesy of
CALL she concluded last waive etiquette and call on
Miss Kellogg When her card was sent up. the answer
was returned, Very sorry, but | am dining with
friends" II stated that Miss Kellogg afterward re-
marked with n light laugh. Zone can't be expected to
call on oil ones employ u whole opera troupe
WHAT THE LADIES SAY.
This story in even more exaggerated form, reached
THE TRIBUNE and reporters sent at once to learn OF
ne unnumbered of the artists which had sprung
from so slight n cause breach OF etiquette. Miss
Kellogg had not yet risen when the reporter Called ana
her father dcpucd to answer and authorize not
denial but an evasion of the question. Miss Kellogg
would, under circumstances make any Tcpy to pun
lie ruInors reports Of what she might have done or
said She was welknown in New-YOck, and thos, who
ew her would require denial o the report, and she
did not care others might think She begged To be
from saying thing whatever ON the subject
All this in the rmcs but most polite manner on the part
OF the father and with many regrets on that ot the
daughter that could not receive at the moment and
say "a much for herself
Madame R0ze was the Everett House, but her
husband Mr. MaplcsOn, present The lady was
very reserved the husband very gosslppy
and polite II not his story, however, when lhn
reporter as directed TO get and while he was present
The wife, who appeared 10 be one OF those sweet quiet
norcnsvo saints, who would consent to be Imposed
upon rather than take the trouble TO defend herself had
USE reporter who had detailed to get the stories OF
the male gossps the troupe. called upon Mr. Mapleson
nj this moment and the reporter left alone win
Madame 0ze enough 10 obtain all she seemed dis
Ill is true she SAID in the sweetest Of broken hen
English. that we called on MISS hGI'osg Tnr hnui
seeing her. Aud again In Philadelphia without seeing
ont seeing her really she called when he was oui
and lad very pleasant time Miss Kellogg Is very
sweet and agreeable pcrson-whcn she Is alone. mean
nf oln
relieved OF her surrounding Influences I'll,
"Oh that drcssingroom affair II was uothin2 really.
II il the etiquette OF the opera house that The prlna
donna has the title role shall have the DRESSING
room nearest the stage-for convenience ana haste
in dressing II il so always. when played with
Nilsson and Lucca the first room was conceded. Al
Cleveland there two alike. and Miss Kellogg Sc
ected inc ono she had always used. had the one oppo
site the green room both alike; 1t nnde no dlherence
"Jealousy about yoiccsi No, no. There can be none
on Miss KcOggs part mine. for our voices are 30
different" ,, w. ma
good friends. assure you. 1t these horrd men, and
the reporters" whether she Included het hsDanu @ anu %
Mr.. Strakosch IN the category Is uncertain Du' shc
seemed to mean 1.-The newspaper men only.
There was very much more sad. bnt IL & was ny sir. M
other reporter he Is lett TO be recorded by him.
WHAT THE MEN GOSsIPS SAY.
Mr. Mapleson evidently enjoys the operate quarrel m
much as his wife dcprecatcs II. In explanation OF the
story OF the breach etiquette Miss Keoggs part In
not returning Madame E6ze calls lie sad In substance
the same as his wife bad said, but ho had oLer grev
ances relate, which he did great detail as witness
The progress through the West never grew monoton-
Gus for lack Of subjects Of DIVERSION The company
usually travelled Sundays In special palace
This was the source OF unnumbered annOyanccs to II
portion o the troupe The large drawing room at the
end the always reserved FOR Miss Kellogg
the next sections occupied by Mr.. and Mrs
Crosby The adjoining section one side was hllcd
with Miss Kelloggs luggage; opposite was Miss Cary.
and sill farther beyond about the middle or the car
was Marie E6zc. In the remainder OF the car
were packed the other members of the troupe,
their small discomfort One thing did not tend TO
their tempeIs-the sight Of Crosby olling at
full cnth the cushions IN hs section Another cause
discomfort that Miss Kellogg insisted upon hay
ing the heated to fever heat In the stry days OF
last month The result that great beads Of pcrsp
ration would stand the faces of Miss Cary and Nine
R6ze while the rest OF the troupe was almost roasted