New-York tribune., 1878-05-01
THE ACADEMY REVOLCTION

4
WHAT THE NEW MANAGEMENT WILL DO.
A VIGOROUS EFFORT TO BIZ MADE To MEET Ex-
PENsEs WITHOUT OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES TO
| ENCOURAGE OTHER ENTERTAINMENTS BESIDE
| ITALIAN opERA-r B. MUsGRAvE's VIEWS.
Repeated expressions of dissatisfaction have
been uttered recently by many Of the stockholders of the
| Academy of Music, relative TO the management OF
the Board Of Directors, and frequent efforts have
been made TO effect a change. These Efforts
proved frutIess however, until Monday evening, when
the shareholders by large majority elected an entirely
new Board Of Directors II was charged among other
things that the old board refused lease the Academy
unless certain singers engaged in the troupe that
the right to sell hbrettOs reserved and after
ward given to outside persons, and that the
| management such as to cause frequent
aud heavy assessments the stockholders. Recently
circular was sent around asking the stockholders TO
renqush right their boxes night out OF three
in order induce opera managers TO take leases Al
though fOur-ths the whole number consented 10 this
arrangement made the basis OF another complaint
against the directors. At the annual meeting
week ago, tn designations OF the directors
we're demanded but refused on the ground that
one Of the bylaws, passed at the first meeting OF the
stockholders provided that elections for direc
tors should be held but that any vacancy In the board
should be filed by the remaining members The discon-
tented shareholders, finding that they were un-
able to control sufficient number Of votes
I 10
for an adjournment until Monday night and were
cessfu At meeting nearly every share voted
by proxy otherwise, end the result was the repeal
of the obnoxious bylaw The election Of directors was
then proceeded with, and the following persons were
-chosen TO constitute the new board Adrian Iseln f.
T. Gilbert August Belmont, Woodbury. Langton, William
b. Dnsmore Clarence Seward, Royal Phelps, 7. b. Mus
grave, Pierre Lorilard. II. A. Johnson Augustus L.
Brown, Charles Z. Tiffany and Joseph Brandon.
RESULTS EXPECTED FROM THE CHANGE
T. g. Musgrove, who has been prominent in the move
for change, said last evening In conversation
about the results To follow the revolution:
1.-THE policy OF the new directors in regard the Aead
emy IL hardly determined yet Il unfortunate that
the building was erected in F0urteenth-st 1t should
have been placed IN Unionsquare, in Fifthave, or in
Broadway. Then, when the population drfted away;
/ Il could have been turned into huge hotel
French fats. Certainly. II there ever time
when the Academy could wisely be kept exclusively for
opera. that Jay has passed and my impression is that
/ end even encouraged il the stockholders are
/ 1gal ex9ense. The charter does not limit the
| performance To those OF an operate nature. How
| atre, II the public insisted that that fine
| house should not be opened 10 any plays
! but 7hakespeiresl II the legitimate drama wont
pay. and LYDIA Thompson viii. then Lydia will occupy
the stage The stockholders OF the Academy are geneI
any wealthy men, Di1 tDey arc nos ahAious 70 t.OTT TT
/ money away and II money can be made at tue Acad-
emy by variety OF entertainments. or the bare eX-
penses can be pad ny suc course the II seems Hey
: that the new directors will push matters en-,
sympathy with the shareholders and the views OF
the latter will now have some weight IN the manage
nent There will have be ar least 100 entertainments
during the at the Academy, at about $3.50
night n the expenses To be covered These, cXcu-
II does not see the that the rent OF the Academy can
/ don't see" continued Mr. Musgrave "why the
Academy Uf sbOud eXpected 10 shoulder Italian
opera and sustain t. while losing money IL u doubt
| fu II permanent opera troupe could be maintained
aid; but it certainly cannot be maintained until man
]
country with one nne singer and ager-Deer CHORUS
with high prices and much rush ana pusn scoop ny
100000 for the pFima &Snna, Saa ana SIoV6O0 ;bCT
make of with IT, Such men have often asked
Theu thy have lefr tine country with pockets ruI OF
money while the shareholders paid the bills for gas and
attendance. Too much then demanded OF the STOCK
holders IN the institution Now something must be done
al least to pay expenses"
| In conclusion, Mr Musgrave said MY impression
f. that only IN London Is opera sustained without state
aid Now, n this city should come 20 the conclusion
that could sustain opera troupe, II II owned the
building 10 begin with. dare say the shareholders
would be- glad make the city gift OF their interests
ont money every ear Tor expenses ad we hhd II a cost
Iy luxury"
THE BUILDING AND THE STOCK.
The act incorporating the Academy Company was pass
ed IN 1872 and 500 the Old building erected. II
was destroyed In 1850 by fire. and present
was then built There 200 shares OF capital stock at
$1,000 each. II stated that with lost in
| terest and assessments the cost Of the stock
Pg5 Pgf5 t6at rs the n new peep budng has never paid
a dividend For time past II has been apparent
York. was fast fading away. Recently Italian opera
has been produced Booths Theatre, and the
Academy y tlo ,ar do"h toWH 10 justly Lgi5t ns
retention mucu louger as the place Tor hoidlng
the larger masQueraes az that establishment III tue tu
uIre These matters undoubtedly affected the in
come of tie Academy and have tended to produce the
revolution In the directory.