The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-14
PRICE TWO CENTS.
WILL MR.. MAPLES0N TRY IT!
RUMORS FLYING THAT HE rs TO BREAK
MS ACADEMY CONTRACT.
A Directors Reason for Believing that we
sbnIi have the season OF Opera VI aurice
strako .ch Predicting Mspieson's Failure.

A Directors Reason for Believing that we
shnii have the season of Opera NJ urice
strnkosch Predicting Mspieson's Failure.
For several days rumor has been busy
about the affairs OF Manager Mapleson and the
directors Of the Academy Of Music. Rumor has
not used Mr.. Mapleson kindly Notwthstand-
ing the fact that he has been heralded as tho
long looked-for man. who. coming from across
the seas with troupe Of singing men and VIZ
mon famous as artists, was to give New York
first-cass opera in the coming season, and
probably for many seasons to come. rumor
has said that II was very doubtful whether he
came at oil. and that II he did come his troupe
would not prove to DO what It was reputed to be.
These reports grew out OF the mutterings
OF dispeased Academy stockholders. and from
the gossip Of foreign musical circles. Briefly
summarized tho rumor Is this: Mr.. Mapleson Is
not rich In fact. he has recently failed, and his
credit Is none of the best. Consequently many
OF his troupe. not only the leading people but
the more obscure chorus demand that before
they set sail for America their money shall be
guaranteed. 1t would take pretty sum to do
this. Some say 100000. for the company Is
large. 1t will take a good bit OF money also to
pay the passage Of these people, Mr.. Mapleson
cannot readily command this money. and
therefore he has sent over to the directors lof
the Academy of Music and asked for an ad-
vance. or guarantee Of n large sum Of money.
There are those who think they know. who say
that he wants $4,000. Others put the sum at
10000 II is thought that the directors will be
10th to assure to Mr.. Mapleson no large a sum.
or, in fact. any money at all. after the very lib
eral terms on which they have leased to him tho
Academy. hence II Is thought that the probabili-
ties were that Mr.. Mapleson would not come TO
Mr.. Daniel Kingsland. acting Secretary of the
hoard OF Academy Directors who K nOwg uutta
as much about the affairs Of the Academy as
any man in the city. was yesterday asked
My dear sir" answered Mr. Kingsland." Il
| wish you could tell me the facts. and on what
Napleson's scene painter. Fox came on hero
s SON time ago, and wanted 70 goto work ON
| could not lot him go on and do what he pleased
| in the Academy, and so he wns out OF work for
tons and figures on what he wanted to DO.
| He did so and we engaged him to do the work.
sMnd he is at il; That looks as though Mr..
son asked tfS directors Tor an ' advances l ' OF
Mr.. KinRsland hesitated. We have had
| nothing" no replied at length. " from Nj.
contract. This is a private affair OF Mr.. Maple:
| sons. II you come to mo and say. II you will
Snd me sl02 i DO S SO and Would not
feeling the pressure Of the times rs other bust
ness men DO. wishes to make a loan OF few
Germ the public We have given Mr.. Mapleson
x@ry liberal terms. very liberal He has the
| agreed to pay us SIS for every occupation-that
| Is. for every night that he gives public per-
| formance. But mind you. he occupies II every
day for rehearsa!s gas and coal are consumed
| at rehcarsas. We. on our part. pay the license.
the water tax. heat and light the building
he building Seventy.iIve dollars won't begin
TO pay for all this. He also has privileges never
| and librctto privileges. The latter Is worth
81 900 % him. That is what we have made out
| OF il. He has the Academy long as he gives
| first-cass opera when he ceases TO do that the
contract ends. Tho stockhoiders only reserve
| paid from - 900 TO s200OO. II will be a poor
interest on their money. There are some sixty
stockhoIderS and they represen, zoo seats But
| Mapleson. II he says that he finds 1t difficult
e make money. If he wants the whole house
| viii resign their seats either paying for them
and retaining them. or allowing them to be
Did not Mr.. Mapleson sign contract and
| agree u produce opera IN the Academy some
| yenrs ago p asked the reporter.
" lie did, WIS the answer. Six or seven
| years ago n contract was made and he signed
But he did not fulfil his agreement"
| =. No. he did not; and he gave rs an excuse
that Maurice Strakosch told him that he could
not make any money here. for ne iStrakoschl
| Sohurolled the lending opera houses OF Europe.
80 MnplesQn threw MP the lease"
SO you lost that season." THE reporter had
been told an hour before 6y an influential stock.
ho?ilier that tins was The casr. ,,.
| N0-oh. no. Some one stepped in and took
| the Academy. There are always persons ready
to take II. II Mapleson don't come this fall. we
| shall not los" the season. for there Will surely
| be some on" else who will want the house. But
hnve every eHpectation that he viii come,
Mapirs2n nis eldest son. and agent and, with;
out doubt. Mr.. Mapleson and his company will
s6a aI from Ireland on the Imam lne arriving
| ms season hero the last week Of that month
| :, No. continued Mr.. Kingsand. " think the
nireftors haze done wisely IN arranging with
| Maplrson. We wanted some one to take the
house who was regular manager Of opera. not
| an ltinerant. producing opera at ono time. and
| then concerts here and there. MIR. Mapleson
has me Haymarle ct. IN London; he has great
| LONDON begins in May with Us ii is in the win
| ter. He can give opera here in our season. then
| take his company back to England and thus
| combining the two seasons do we'll. | think"
MIR. Maurice Srakosch. who returned from
Lurope yesterday, had something to say about
Mr.; Mapleson cannot succeed here, think"
| he said. "We have been here thirty years and
know something OF ii. Mr.. Maploson says no
VIII produce opera without stars, relying for
Success sr,n, ~ 3 4 wei.haapced c3mpany Of good
u" off' n,so Will Wn trIfd th9 w. gave season
ana Donaldio and Carpi Del purnti. and 9th
ers. None sIar5-all good artists, you will al
| ton. That venture cost Us $4,000. Can Mr..
MapIeson DO, better? He is to take TO
200 Of tho best places. Can he overcome
| that obstaelel We gave season oi opera with
| Nilsson. TOrriani. Cary. Cnnpluini. Capoul,
| Maurel. and Naunctte We gave lohenGrin and
| Aida The houses were fun Everybody said
| u WINS a unEnltl 'rnt success. We lost money.
| We couldn't overcome those POO seats. There
must be some margin. There Is an American
| aristocracy and European arlslocracy. Tho
difference hctwecn them is. that while tho latter
are the most liberal subscribers to opera. and
support II. the former want their music for
nothing. Until that is changed no ono can
MAKE money in the Academy Of Music. II Mr.
MapesOn comes here without stars he will not
los well patr0n2ed. and will lose money. II he
comes with stars he Will lose money. He can't
make enough to overcome those 200 seats,
Robbery, Flight. an Encounter and an A rrest.