The New York herald., 1878-09-15
THE COMING OPERA.
4 Talk with Mr.. August Bel
mont About It.
MAPLESON SURELY COMING
And Equally Certain to Bring Cersler' hanek
and q Troupe Of Real Artists

Mr. August Belmont was found at his once IN Nss-
sau street yesterday morning BY reporter OF tue
HERALD. Mr.. Belmont is Prssdent Of the new man
sgement OF the Academy Of Music and mas 'aken ~
acve personal interest in the EFFORT to secure rst
class opera bouHe for the coming season Upon 'nese
grounds be could naturally be supposed TO speak
with authority about The negotstions with MT MA
pIesou other matters oonnected with the SUBJECT
Tho reporter, explaining that he had called 70 know
the truth Of the rumors published In a morning con-
tenn porary detrimental to MIR. Maplason, asked IT It
was certain tina. Maplsson coming 70 New FORK,
announeedY
Mr. BsLMoSr-Undoubtcdly. The Contract Of agree
msnt was signed by M L. T. Morton and MI Clarence
Seward In London. son OF Ar. Maplssor, accom-
panied by Sienor Ardlt Is expected here every day'
ana Mr. Mapieson, ST., will arrive early 10 Oc'ooer
Mr. Mapleson will bring complete troupe as ever
came to New York. Gsrster ana HaucK are second
only 10 Patti. ana the whole company Will be COM
posed Of the best artists.
RRPoRrER-It is not true, tnen, that financial mat
tors viii hinder the mattor?
Mr. BELMoNr-No more than is usual 10 producing
opera on splendid scale. Mr.. Mspleson proposes 10
gve among other operas. one and perhaps more that
are new such az .sCarmon" and .1Dsn Carlos" Tho
production OF any new opera ID sxpsnsive and with
list including .sLohengrip,'' .Somnambuia" with
both Gerster and Aauck in the casi and all the oes
operas Mr. Mapieson has Of course TO ine0r enormous
expense, but l anticipate no delay beyond what is
usual 10 such casex
RspoRrsR-wili the proposed season compare
favorably with operatic seasons In the capitals OF
Europe?
Mr. BELMoNr-Tns season Will be quite al Rood a.
ths; at Her Msjesty's Theatre London last year,
which successful tn spite of tho Iact that IT had
rival in Patti aud will be better than thai IN
Paris at present.
RgpoRrsR-Do you think Mr.. Mapleson viii make .
financial as we'll AZ an artistic succssss
Mr. BRLMoxr-I have no doubt OF It. he VIII have
the Academy virtually nothing and ought - make
a success Opera was successful with NILSSON and
Lucca, and, in tact, amy arst class performance.
RxpoRrER-Is there vitality enough In Italian opera
to sustain It In place against that sung in French
or s:native" operaS
Mr. BRLMoNT-lt has always been preferred 70 naive
opera in all the European capitals aud Will undooo'-
edIv remain So Tho fnc consercatoves OF haly, the
fact that the great musical COMPOSITIONS Of every na
ton are sung in Italian and the natural auaptabi'y
Of the language to the purposes OF opera are reasons
why Italian opera should always be preferred to the
French or "native" tongue.
REpoRrKR-Do you think the Academy Of Music Q
proper nome Tor operaf
Mr. BxLxoSr-Why not2 1t is centrally located,
large and commod,ous and In every way suitable.
RxpoRrsR-Is this revival likely, In your opinion.
TO be permanent?
Mr. BELMONT think II ID singular fact that
New YORK, with population Of 100000, should not
support good opera we'll as It did IN the time Of
the Astor House Opera, when tho population Of thf
city was about one third what IL is now. supposs
THIS Is due TO the hard tmes, but under new res'"
ana with a really meritorous company OF artists
| there is no reason why opera should not bs ~ sue
ccssiui in New York as in London, or Paris, or 81
! Petersburg.