The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-08-05
ALBANI-. PATTI NILSSON -HAUCK- .GERSTER.
The English and Continental System Of 0psn-Na-
tsRal and Italian Opera in England
OPERATE EXPERIENCE IN AMERICA
What is Said by Strakosch and Max Maretzek-
Interesting Thoughts for 0psra.Goers.
LONDON, July 10, 1873.

LONDON, July 10, 1875
The change in the management OF the New York
Academy OF Music considerable interest, as you
may imagine. Tor London operate managers. One
tmyresario here at least has made efforts
TO secure the Academy On favorable terms. for the
purpose OF giving season of Italian opera therein
next season. Mr.. Mapleson has been Tor some time
engaged in correspondence with Mr. Norton, and It
appears that the negotiations are successfully con-
eluded. The difficulties that have arisen various,
but OF appeared TO Mr.. Mapleson almost in
surmountable. Tho directors Of the Academy wished
TO make Of the conditions Of contract the taking
pver or one or more .sstar' primo donne and the
names OF Miles. Alban Patti and Nilsson were sug-
yesIed
ALBANI-PATT-SILssON
But IL may be said here ut the commencement that
ihere is te, If any, possibility OF the first named OF
these bright and particular stars being Ia the
United States next season, at least not under Mr.
Mapleson's manag cement Mile Albani Ia. l am in.
formed by Mr. Gye, to be united In the bonds of
holy matrmony with his sou, and she will conse-
quentIy become permanent ornament 10 Mr. Gyc's
social has long boon to his artistic establish
ment. Mile. Patti Is bound by her contract to the
OF MI Gye, and the manager Of Covent Garden
has, presumably no inclination TO permit her to loave
England IN order to enrich or Impovcrsh the pocket
pi the rival impresario OF Her Majcsty's Mile.
Nilsson is free 30 wherever she chooses but have
believe that she is bitterly estranged from
Colonel Mapieson, with whom she reused TO
enter into engagement except upon the
old terms of f5oo per night, sum winch
the gallant manager Of Her MaJesty's hardly
his way TO giving. Mr. Mapiessn has bis own
's;ars" provide tor among others Miss Minnie
Hauck, Nine Stelka Gerster, Nile Tremo. TO whom
he does not certainly pay anything like tho
sums demanded By Patti and Nilsson They, 200,
stars OF the first magnitude, but they are newer
discoveries. and consequently not well known.
The engagement OF PAU by Mapisson would necessi-
tate his most excellent singers giving up their
own acknowledged roles 10 a rival who sings not
bit better than they. Mile. Nilsson is presume the
pnly OF the trio mentioned possible Tor Mr. Maple
son to secure under existing circumstances.
QUESTION STARS.
nee the question OF tho engagement or poo-en-
Iagement OF high priced operate stars Is apparently
Of the highest Importance In the mind OF the new
directors oil the academy 1t may DO we'll TO take
facts into consideration. In London there are Two
Italian opera rouses-tncse OF Covent Garden, under
the management of Mr. Gye, and Her Majesty s. I'M
der tho management Of Mr.. IAIapleson, and enc
director OF English opcra-naneiy, Mr. carl Rosa.
We have to do IA. present with the Italian
ayers alone, who represent the two systems on
which Italian opera is run in London Covsnt Garden
Is prosperous the 'star SYSTEM carried out to
It's fullest extent Her Msjestys 10 successful uuaer
what may be styled the good a-around system. Co
vent Garden is borne the fame of two prime
donne-Albani and Patt-withoot whom this opera
house would inevitably decline. Albani draws im-
mense houses every time she sings, especially when
she gives her wagnerian personihcaron OF
Elizabeth, in ''Tsnnhalser:" Of Elsa, IN Lohen-
grin, OF Virginia, Victor Masso's
opera OF ''paul and Virginia" The house pre-
scnts these nights remarkable and extremely
brilliant appearance sucn can be rarely else
where Patti possesses the same power OF attracting
brilliant houses. But when tho ''stars' absent
from the cast striking contrast is obs ervaSle.
few persons, the subscribers, caring to put In
IN appearance, and suner by listening second aud
third rate singers from hslfpast eight til dnisht.
PERFORMANCES AT CONVENT GARDEN.
The "star" system, as carried 30 the extreme n 4
Covcnt Garden, becomes in the end, even wneu the
stars appear very nsatisfactory-that n we con.
slider the subject opera srtistic stand point
For the operas, IL non-ltaian are produced solely
with tho view OF permitting tho prna donna to cx-
sbit her vocal powers the fullest extent ana TO
his end the elects and tho Of arc
ncrciessiy sacrificed. Representatives OF tho wsg-
scrian operas, those In which Mile. Albani shone
brightest, are given AZ Covent Garden in a ner
that would be considered dsgraceul 10 Germany.
Albani as Elizabeth is wonderful; Maursi 10 "a good
Wolfram but there admiration must end, for the
minor roles filled by singers thoroughly unable to
raep The spirit OF that which they sing The chorus
Iings out of tune anu gcscuatcs out OF place; tho
scenery ond costumes are cxecrablc ana in
correct and tho orchestra fans entirely TO dc
vciop the inner poetic beauties Of tho music
The opera Is 10 longer 'fannhanscr." IL should DO
called s'Eizabcth" or even "AIDspL" Tue entire
scene the poverty OF the cast, made under
his fully developed system contribute to
ING, the sheen OF the great star is maze appear all
The purer and brighter The gloom that exists around
IL The system Is pcrn,cious one; but Il nourishes
IN London for certain reasons which will be spoKen
VI iurther on Ia this letter.
TUE ixrRgsARro--covESr GARDEN.
Mr. eye, the ruling spirit Of Covent Garden may be
considered represent avo manager oil the old sonooi
81 Italian opera. Mr.. eyes memory extends TAR back
In the history OF Italian opera In England called
upon the other day Tor the purpose OF asking
opinion about Italian opera, about 'stars ana voices
and theatres and what not. | found Mr.. eye IN his
oco ut Covent Garden, large mass OF letters before
him 10 be read and answered and any number
Of persons waiting In the little antcroom their
BIO usbsred Into the great presence. In personal sp
penrancs Mr. eye has English squirelv lock about
him. as " no The habit Of giving commands that
are to be obeyed without question: Mr.. eye infsrmsd
me that no has been engaged in the operate enter
prise thirty years. that hts experiences and memories
would occupy a volume. lie Is satisfied with managing
tbe affairs OF Covent Gardcn He has never engaged
~ operate specuaons America, asd has at present
10 intention Of beginning ms declining ycars "rhs
only speculation" he said, "upon which could
inter If we're attn young 10 have opera house
and operate engaged all the year round Then
u would be possible to give q -four or ave months
spsrstic season In Englaua, and ssssos nlAg up the
balance Of the gear In the United states"
Az IsrgRvIEw WIN GRE
In view OF the interest attaching TO tho opc Of the
~ a-.a