New-York tribune., 1878-12-19
RESULTS OF THE OPERA SEASON.

MARKED SUCCESS AT THE ACADEMY.
STATISTICS OF THE cosr OF GOOD oPERA-IYDI-
RECT INFLUENCE ON VARIOUS BRANCHES OF
BUsINEss-wHAT THE sPEcULAToRs HAVE
GAINED.
Good opera is luxury that society pays for
roupdly The first operate of three months at
the Academy drawing to close it is believed, has
put in circulation not less than half million dollars all
OF which has out of the pockets OF the audiences
not emitting the stockholders. Said prom
nent member OF the latter body recently: I've
might well make up minds TO thing
II we to have good opera in NewYork must poy
it, and the stockholders must take leading part "A
the expense" Then he spoke OF the social and aesthetic
benefits which had accrued 20 cultivated society from
the present season. which, all things considered
In bis opinion the best that Eew-YOrk had ever
And yet," he continued. we not paying exOrbi
family this pleasure compared with the OF opera
III Europe. An English lady visiting in NewYork said
that she found everything here excessively dear with
one exception Opera cheap In London 1t was noe
uncommon thing to pay either a guinea 80 shiil
Dgs CsJ 81 5OJ for seat tnat in the Academy Of
Music costs So So"
There is good authority for the statement that Mr.
MapesOn's expectations OF his first in America
have been surpassed in every particular He announced
that it was his aim 90 appeal and purses OF
Americans with opera worthy o the highest apprecis>
uon ana that ne was WILING 10 sDena On tse hrst
future efforts Since ne processes TO be surprised at the
hig musical culture OF Ncw-1 1Cfkcrs ana heir ken ap-
that Mr. NaDiesOn will attempt In the future TO 1Oat
less meTitOriOus opera the reputation OF this
lyon surprised when tell yOu thar this season OF
has put nalf million IN circuatoD2' exclaimed
You 1t exaggeFatiOn say that people who
occupy the boxes orchestra stalls and balcony or or
chesra circle the cost Of the seat is rule the least
part OF the OF night at the opera. No gentle
man comes without lady The earriagecosts 20, then
il the bouquet supper after the opera, and other
small items. Aud for the lady, she has her gloves to
buy and large laundry bill TO paw for sneh tinery as Is
worn. Then you would be surprised TO know how
owe their purchase to ts9 desire one no,S.I lady
Here some figures that are a close approximation;
fair average OF the receipts pts from he SalG ol at s9a
subscription nights and, say fourteen mathees Ihds
To- $28 600. which added makes $I82 900. Add TO ths
the receipts OF the extra nights, and we nave easily
sum nu be doubled. without fear OF exceeding the
trntn to reach necessary usual expenses 70 our
patrons. Then add 100000 To this little enough Tor
SILKS jewels aud other nery, in this class OF society,
and You have halt million. TN ny SAID, iew DAYS
ago that The opera had been Of great benent 10
their business. Other fashionable Jewellers nave doubt
less prohted in proportion. The same mas happened
with fashionable millners, dress and cloak-maAeFs'
gl0yr.ruakers, and large class Of merchants.
"The 100000 paid in at the boX-oice has been dis
bps 90 or 80 Iersons ~ he front Of The Academy and
has flown rom them out among he merchants botels,
restaurants, The other S3UO.UOO his Deeh more
widely distributed among large class that supply the
luxurious wants of society don't believe that hr;
Maplesou viii have dollars left TO SHOW as proht
when thr season closes His expenses are 80 large aud
so creep upon from al SIDES that he never can Ten
whether he Is gaiuer OF until the season II over
ard all oils are pald.
Yes II has been harvest for the ticket spectators,
and while many patrons look upon the business o. these
men as ~ IMPOSITION there is large class OF weahy
urODlp who actually pre- O deal with the seculatOs
and never 10 To the bOx-Oice. ~ high as Sl2 = az
has been paid the spectators and hey have no oin-
cuIty IL getting So, especially on the first nlght oI
pnplar opera Tue chief of the Spectators mas nade
at least $40 coo this lie vent 10 Boston te Gay
Mr. Napl.Ou did and paid down $4,000 for tickets ana
prescriptions. Wien Mr. MapesOn stepped from the
train Philadelphia the fret man ne saw was thls sans
interchangeable specuator. Say what you VIII, II l. u
grpa, assistance a manager tO have SlOOOO or TZO
900 p1d INTO the bOX.Oce before the first performance.
IL Is Kind of insurance against RAINY nlEulS auu ah
occasional falling OFF IN the attendance