The New York herald., 1878-09-15
English Opera in Brooklyn-Manager
Hess Again at the Front.
MISS EMMA ABBOTT.
Manager Sim, Of the Brooklyn Park Theatre
A Talk with an Old Staser.
DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL PROSPECTS
New Pieces tor WaIIack's, the Union
Square and Booths Theatres.

Mr. q. d. Hess, the we'll known manager OF EugIish
opera will signaIzs the beginning of his season OF
ls7s-7o by the production tomorrow night at the
Brooklyn Park Theatre OF "Faust' under crcam-
stances which likely to make the engagement. one
Of unusuai pubic interest, nasmuch as marks the
arst appearance in this country of the popular Amsr
can prima DONNA Miss Emma Abbott. on the operatic
sage In a conversation with reporter OF the
HERALD he promised usual interrogatve form with
the remark that he commenced year ago q new de-
parure the line o English OPERA taxing the French
opSrs comiQue hts basis and succeeded 10 creating
agood organization.
al found" he said, 'that the lighter works are
those which are most acceptable 10 the American
masses. and with this thought in view my plan has
make popular standard such as exists in the
drama. growing musical taste has encouraged me
In this dIrecsion."
THE HISTORY OF '.rHE CHIMES NORMANDY"
..what 40 you regard as your most success ui pro-
ducton thus lar ?" sysr.r atIt
ssUndoubtsdly The Chimes OF Normandy went
Europe for the purpose OF purchasing the Sum msr
Nights Dream and the opera OF Carmen, having at
that time no Idea OF Les Cloches de Corneve.' In
fact had been three weeks IN Paris before hearing
It; but whom did SO It impressed me as the very
thing we wanted In America; besides which Is ex-
setly suited my organ ixaton"
A CONTRAST MUSICAL TASTE.
"In what part OF the country have you found the
greatest appreciation OF your musical labors and Of
music generally 2"
III think Chicago and Boston about balance each
other. Pecun,ary results have not shown New York
10 be good city for English opera, because OF the
great expense involved IN the production compared
with other cities"
"where do you hnd the largest musical cuiture?'
"In Boston. Tho ladies of the Hub will at any
time ignore full and wear their waterproofs
rather than miss good opera Cincinnati is q very
peculiar place. The people to give great deal
OF attention to concerts and they have good mu
sicIans."
.Is the love Of opera q growing one in this
'.Uudoubtediy, but are not yet prepared for it's
highest order Tho Germans are more thoroughly
versed in the best class OF music. IL 10 owing TO
heir early education, and when We bring ont great
work We rely very largely upon this element"
PRESENT SEASON
Nv hat are your views with reference to the pros
poets OIL Tho coming seasonf"
~ have read the HERALp's Interviews with much
and cause to differ with the sanguine ex-
pressions Of other managers A good feeling exists
with reference to general business throughout tho
sountry, ana tnat is what we largely rely upon Tor
our support Last year successfully pulled through
with an expensive organizution, and Ills year am
satisfied shall 40 still better"
.'Thar about cheap opsratic entertainmentsY"
ell had known as much about them ten years age
sno1a nave oesn very wsseny man aus
those pAa TO dramatic stars"
s'What Is tue cost OF producing an operar"
"fhat Is u difficult question TO answer. II depends
artists Taxing the ordinary repertoire, such
under s., 200 woula rarely pay. s'Tne Taiisman,'
which produced with that lady, required u 5oo
presented at the Philadelphia Academy Of Music.
averaged 81, 500 psriormanco. "fhs Flying Dutch
man" cost about 81, 400 night"
al presume II mus, be very agreeable TO have the
control OF large operaIic orgauzation ~
"Wnew! Man alive, you don't know what you are
suggesting, or perhaps you are IN iacetious mood.
Why, the manager who gets through a season with
obstacle or lever of Indignation is entitled TO
abigh place IN heaven. Think OF H. You have 20
rely class OF people whose voice Is their fortune,
and slight cold or n little huskiness may compel
The loss OF 81 700 house Then there are jeaouses
and dis syensons contendsd with which are
Eroater than in the dramatic held''
PRESENT ORGANIZATION.
"What is the Character OF your present organiza-
non!"
..ln the first piace have secured the services OF
Miss Emma Abbott n prma donna. 1t is com
bnation brought about through my desire Tor hrst
slass ar.is, Having passed through the country
places where she singing last season. and in Two
or three instances playing against her, / became
convinced OF extraordinary popularity, there
public tpat Is Undoubtedly the strongest KIND Of
basis for success, aud know there great desire
the following artists:-Miss Annis Montague, na-
i've OF tue Sandwich Islands, and the daughter
Pars. carefully educaled there. and to my
mind 10 OF those satisfactory singers whom
you can ENJOY IRON nrss to last MRS Mrs zeda seguln
M Z. d. Turner ais, remain as tenors Our baritone
Is young American named Mr.. Harry Braaaw. The
basso proiundo Is Mr. Ellis RYse, who was brought TO
this country by Carl Rosa. Besides these are Mr..
Edward scguin, buro and comedian; Mr.. j. W. Jen-
nings, baritone, ana Mr. Henry Warren, tenor. Our
G.ri,' Chimes Of Normandy Martha Lucia,
Fra Disvoo,' Rose OF Uss.ile,' &c. BY The way"
said Mr. Hess, In conciusion, aMss Abbott has Just
anishea her rehearsal, ana ners she comes"
DONNA.
MISS Abbott trppcd lightly from the stage, and, en-
terng the box where the HERALD representative had
been engsscu IN obtaiung the foregoing Information
roga,ed as TO ter future plans an artIst she Is
pehe lady, with frank, open-hsarted manner, bright
energy OF character, and brlancy OF speech such
az only woman exhibits wneu sne has travelled
iorce OF native intellect conquered tho obstacles 10
her pathway.
TALK WITH rHx cAsrArRIcn
"Weli MISS ABBOTT, how do you feel with reference
TO your coming opsrstic cam paISn"
'As you know she rspsd, 'tnis Is my Grst up
pcarance IN opers In America, and | am. therefore,
naturally little nervous--sby would under
the circumstances--but have iath Ia The good angel
who mas always watched over my career. and Fnow
..whsu did you nrsl think OF becoming prins
donna'"
Ever since knew how TO think at ALL II has
been the object Of my ambition child hood.
Besidss loving TO sing am passionatcy fond OF act
ing Al 1rst labored un der the delus son, because
was burning with enthusiasm, that It was perfectly
4. easy Tor the puoc TO understand The feelings oil an
ARTIST without corresponding gesture, but quickly
found OUT my mistaxs Kate Field one day aston
isncd me by telling me to keep up my courage and
lurn my toes OUT The truth IA, matter iDw
pirong may DO ones dramatic iostinc;s, you must
q nave cun ure."
.You evidently possess an excellent consultation
In order TO enable you TO endure so much wear aud
tear Z"
ayes, think tnat at last people will admit that
am 'tough,'" she observed smilingy, "fhe fact Is,
can enours more hard professional work than most
oi your own sex, and am no longer a 'wasp-waistcd
slate pencil chewing schoolgirl"