The New York herald., 1879-09-05
THE OPERATC OUTLOOK.
Max MaretZek's Opinion Of
the Italian School.
A REJUVENATED MANAGER.
The Past and Present OF Music
in America.

The chorus master nad one sloc OF tne stage anu
the ballet master had the other Property men and
scene painters occupied the back. and the orchestra
was organizing in front OF tho foonghis. Tenors
and basses saunered through the lobby. exercising
their voices. and sopranos and contratos in tho
second circle tested their lungs before pianos. Co.'S
tuners crowded tue managers Office and stage car
penters hammered and pulled and sawed in tine
wings. The stage door, on Fourteenth street. was
the only entrance to. the building open, and from
the numbers of the regular operate loungers that
gathered there yesterday an ordinary citizen would
have supposed that the Academy of Music was in
the flood tide of the regular season. Mr.. Max
Maretzek. the presiding genius. sat quietly in a
large armchair just inside the line of the grooves.
from where be could survey the entire with
out changing his position when representative of
the HERALD called ON him.
''You to be all very busy hero, Mr.. Mar
etzek?'
Eyes. my dear: yes. We must be up and
dong. Time flies fast and we ust catch it on the
wing"
'You to be watching everything and at the
same time taking it easyy
III am working with my head you see. and all my
children here are working out my ideas. To many
people this would confusion. but a conductors
eyes and ears are trained to various sounds and
movements. and all going at the same time. Sit
down and look at them. Listen to those fresh young
voices in the chorus there. There is u perfume
about them such rs the flowers give How good it
makes feel! goes straight to the heart. have
made a point OF this-discarded all the old
hacks and brought together lot Of
singers. Sec how pretty the girls aud with what
earnestness they drudge. There that's Rice-Knox,
OF the conratos. She pegging away at her role
in the opera with the repetitor up in the grand
saloon. Montague. the soprano. is at it also
tharsi dc Sha let hara aut N mi
and you'll hear something. The only man in the
whole that tries my patience is the stage
carpenter"
How SOP"
Hes poking around there all the time. Look at
him now-smelling the paint that musty old
stuff. searching for something to patch up with.
I've told him twenty times want this whole thing
new from beginning to end, and won't have any
thing else; but that fellow, confound him. insists
patching up things. won't have it. There shall
not go that stage brush of paint that is not
now. know I shall end by breaking q couple of
ribs for that fellow. but he spare them and III
get my satisfaction. and my work done afterward.
I will have nothing that is not new, new,
new. We are all young and new here Look at me.
I'm SO young it is with the greatest difficulty re-
tain my dignity. feel like rushing to the nearest
toy shop. filling my side pockets with marbles and
going the sidewalk to play with Jarbot there
I've cast my scales Feel my muscle. I'm afraid
shall knock every mpresario in the country into .
cooked hat before the seasons Catch me! hold
mel keep me DOWN. Hard! Oh. dear! I'm consumed
with desire to jump this chair and set up wild
hullabaloo. 1t wouldn't do, would it? Ruin every
thing. They'd all follow my example and the roof
might leave That wouldn't suit anyway We
shall want it when the season opens Yes. sup
pose shall need 1t. People are accustomed to
roofs houses that they'd scarcely come to the
opera if the Academy open to the sky. Pity; I'd
like to give that whoop. but mustn't, must I? I
shall have to restrain myself"
al see you have taken new departure"
"Of course. What else could do2 The old ma
chine took departure from me- while thought
couldnt get along without it. Soon after it shook
me it took leave Of life altogether. And so. Gads
mercy, let it rest
'You mean Italian opera?'
.Its galvanized cat. Strakosch and Mapleson arc
trying to put life in it. but it is dead! dead dead
The tail won't waggle and when the lids raised
you'll find the eyes are CLASSY"
..Mr. Mare.zek?'
..There not two Italians in it. What humbugi
All the singers either German American"
.'Then why do they call it Italiany'
That's the humbug. That's the delusion Why do
they call it Italian? WE'LL III tell you. To please
few snobs That's all-nothing more Call it Dutch
opera. English opera. German opera. Ameri.
can opera, or anything you like. but in all serious
ness. call it what 1t is"
.Your new opera Is American
..Yes. From American subject-Sleepy Hollow.
1t has been written for Americans. and hope they
will like 1t. am waiting now for telegram from
Charley Gaylor.
..what has he doneY'
Wrote the libretto. Well. won't wait any longer
for him. Come over TO the house and III play you
some of the music; then you'll be able to Judge"
In the house the famous harpist came forward
with y warm reception.
..Oh. Mr.. HERALD. will you pleeze speak of my two
harpsg"
..Your two harps. Nine. Maretzck?"
'.Ces mistrdbles, ho smash him."
.'What miserable, madam?'
eat I5altimoear and Milwaukee, Break him all in
leee piece-shaIne. And 1t cost me much money?
Two beauteefooi harp! You will say sometheeng!
..They shall be. shall be held up. madame, to tho
scorn of all lovers OF music"
.Oh. tank you; that Is 30 nice-yees. indeed!
shall not mind the harp now
Woman all over and old woman at that"
growled de maestro. from corner.
..Oh, then, she has not rejuvennted like your"
'Look you here. young man. when take you into
my confidence away from this house. want you to
understand do my bowling out OF doors"
Are you going with your husband this season.
Nine. MaretzckY
with Miss Abbott. shall just come from her; very
nicc oh. yos very nice! make engagements
with Mcester Donnelli. Very handsome! very largei
Ah much very Target Ees 1t goody'
.'Goods yes, pcrfectlyl' again growicd the impre-
..You know when one is young IL ees all art but
when one old it ees all money"
.liave you heard the music of the new opera.
Nine. Maretzek"
..Oh yes indeed; and l think It is very pretty.
very catching, and will be populare. Some is writ
ton long time. Papa write IL for mo to sing long
ago"
'.Thc last boat to Staten Island leaves in twenty
minutes" said the manager hoarsely.
And shall lose it. Goodby, papa" and tho
little lady put up her lips to be kissed and tho
ductor performed the pleasant operation with all
the gisto u boy OF fourteen that he says he In.
''nave you list of your company at handY" said
the writer
NO" replied NJ. Marctzek. al haven't made any
lists yet but can tell you who they are
"If you'll be good enoughy'
Miss Annis Montague, Mrs. Julia Polk, Miss
Rachel Sanues and Miss Annie Schaefcr are the
sopranos; Mrs. Rice-Kpox Miss Verona Jarbcau and
Miss Faulkner the sopranos; MIR. hatch, Mr..
Turner and Mr. Pcakcs are the tenors; MIR. Blum. Mr.
Gardner Mr. Eink. Mr.. uartnn and Mr. Van Hautan