The New York herald., 1878-09-15
Is Opera An Exotic That Can Four
ish successfully I'm New York;

We publish to-day an interview with Mr.
August Belmont in relation to Italian opera.
1t is gratifying to know from so high an au-
thority as tho president of the new Acad-
emy management that in spite of malicious
rumors to the contrary Mr.. Mapleson is un-
doubtedly coming to New York; that he will
bring with him q company Of the best
artists, and that the approaching winter
will inaugurate an operatic revival un-
equalled since the days Of the famous Astor
House Opera Coming with the weight Of
Mr.. Belmont's name this statement is
conclusive We look with positive assur-
ance for the best season Of opera that New
Workers have had in generation. 1t is
natural that Mr.. Mapleson should have en-
countered some opposition at the outset.
The interview with Maurice Strakosch
which appeared in morning contemporary
yesterday was the expression of the views
of rival, and rivals opinions, whether in
the affairs of grocery business or an opera,
are not likely to be plimentary. 1t is
only fair to Mr. Mapleson to say that the
objections urged by Mr.. Strakosch are ex-
tremely old and we'll worn, and that having
been familiar to every operatic amateur in
New York they were not likely to be over
looked by the gentlemen who have charge
of the new management of the Acad-
emy of Music. 1t is not from such
opposition that the enterprise Of Mr..
Mapleson and the directors is going to suf-
fer harm, but from the lack Of appreciation
by the public, and New York public was
never vet known to be blind to the merits
of a really meritorious performance.
Upon one point we venture to differ with
Mr. Belmont. He expresses the belief that
| Italian opera, though an exotic, will always
hold it's own against that of the native
tongue, basing his opinion upon the expe-
rence OF European capitals. We are in
clined to think that the experience of some
of these capitals is directly at variance with
this view. For example. italian opera has
! not Of late years been successful in Paris,
except when revived by the attraction Of
some star such as Albani, who "drew" we'll,
as the phrase goes, and revived the fortunes
! of Les Italiens for the time French
opera, on the other hand, sung in the native
tongue and secured by government support,
has been both artistically and popularity
success. 1t is precisely such support as
this which will make Italian opera success
full in New York. We have no monarchy here
to ''back" an opera, aud our Republic has
not the traditions of recent Empire to
| maintain, us in the case of France. In
New York the functions OF a paternal gov
ernment as regards opera must be per-
formed by private gentlemen. The stock
holders OF the Academy OF Music, having u
deeper interest in the matter than any
other association OF private individuals,
should assume this duty and should put
their hands in their pockets to pay for the
amusement. Opera, like horses and yachts,
is II luxury, and luxuries are invariably ex-
pensive. But while the pleasure arising
from the use of horse or yacht must be
confined to u small circle of friends at the
most, an opera can be shared by the public,
| and in this case the public is anxious to
bear it's share of the expense. The stock
holders of the Academy will not only
have the enjoyment, but they will
| get the credit of encouraging a
high artistic amusement. A few hundred
dollars from each will suffice to give opera
fair chance in New York, and all such
| efforts tend to make our city worthy rival
| of tla great captals of Europe