The New York herald., 1879-10-07
THE OPERA SEASON.
Interesting Details Concerning the Approaching Musical
Ewnts-MSic at Home and Abroad
ITALIAN VERSUS GERMAN MUSIC.

desire to say that from the time left London IN
til my arrival in this city have had no communi-
cation. to my knowledge. with any reporter whaS-
You con therefore readily understand my as
tonshment when the steamer proceeding up the
bay received a copy Of the paper from one OF the
customs officers containing full report OF the al-
legged interview. Disliking to be misrepresented.
beg leave to make this statement. am sir. your
obedient servant J. II. MAPLESON.
AN INTERVIEW WITH COLONEL MAPLEsoN.
reporter of the HERALD yesterday found Mr.
Mspleson at his residence in Fourteenth street.
few moments after his consultation with Messrs
August Belmont, Musgrave, Brown. Leroy and
other connected with the directory Of the
Academy OF Music. Judging from his manner the
conference was In every way satisfactory and none
but pleasant OF whatever discussion had TAX en-
place were present his comely English features.
without indicating the details of the conversation.
Mr.. Mapleson stated generally thar the gentlemen
above named and indeed all with whom he had come
In contact who have any thing to do with tho Acad
emy, had expressed desire to cooperate with him
in the most generous way. and that he felt greatly
encouraged by their proposed action. They had al
ready made many improvements aud only few un-
important matters remained to be attended to.
In reference to Mr. Maretzek Mr.. Mapleson took
occasion to utter some very complimentary Ian
guage. While he had not heard the new opera Of
'Sleepy Hollow ne regarded his brother impre-
sario distinguished artist and whose long
vice the public entitled to the highest reward.
Both England and America. however were in his
judgment. not yet prepared to accept English opera.
unless presented with ensemble equally good with
that which attends the OF Italian opera.
and then its would be matter Of grave
doubt.
The writer made an inquiry whether speculators
would be countenanced during the present season.
Neither directly nor indirectly II can neap ~;
rumors since my arrival which intend to investi-
gate and you may assure the HERALD that If here ia
anything wrong in the promises 1t shall be rectfed
There are many prominent ladies and gen
tlemen who are anxious to obtain seats.
but I am informed that the best boxes
in the Academy have already been disposed of. For
the purpose OF preventing speculation and con-
trolling my own affairs have determined to open an
extra box Office in the portco. which will in
crease the accommodations Of the patrons of
the opera and leave no excuse for sidewalk traffic.
By the way remarked Mr.. Mapleson, twrling
his whskers in . comical manner, II observe that
the HERALD in its editorial insinuates that I am
honor in this country but if YOU % Will refer to this
volume producing bulky book) and to those gen.
ersl orders you will observe that the Duke OF West
minister, Lord Ranalagh, Lord Bury, the Marquis of
Donegal and myself are commanders in our metro
politan forces. have ono colonel. two majors and
thirty Eight officers under me- In the field manoeu
vres ut Aldershott the brigade which commanded
numbered 200 men. When mention the fact-andI
do 80 without any spirit OF egotism-that have been
in tho service since 1868, and occupy a position
equivalent to that OF many of general officers,
you will understand that have something more
only as an operatic manager-'only that and
nothing more.'"
guests of Colonel Mapleson being in waiting. the
WRITER was reluctantly compelled to terminate his
interview.
HARETZEK AND THE ACADEMy-THE DIRECTORS
OF THE ACADEMY ON ENGLISH oPEIA-THE
CuApcr op IrNvAIpNEss DrNTrD-rur avn.
MAN IMPREsARIo "GoEs FOR" COLONEL
MAPLEsoN LONDON "REMINISCENCES OF
THIRTY-rHREE YEARS AGO.
Mr.. Max Marctxek's card. published in yesterdays
HERALD. announcing the financial failure Of his
ture of American opera, because ''the Academy
not the proper place to risk English or American
OPERA" and his other statements imputing the
blame for his fasco to the stockholders
Of the Academy. excited quite ripple
Of interest in musical cirrles. A repre-
sentative of the HERALD to some Of the
leading directors and shareholders in order
tain what Justification. their view. there for
Mr.. Maretzek's alleged grievances against them.
The first gentleman visited Mr. 7. b. Musgrave.
OF the most active directors in the management.
lis it true. Mr. Musgravc." the reporter asked.
'that Mr.. Marctzek was compelled to pay twice the
amount of rent which Mr.. Mapleson pays?
'Mr. Maretzek's rent was not twice much" Mr..
Musgrave replied. 'It was higher to be sure. than
Mr.. Mapleson's. and for very good reasons. Mr..
Maretzek only wanted the Academy for few nights
while Mr.. Mapleson entered into contract for
less than three years. The circumstances and
dions Of the two agreements were altogether differ
snt"
THE RENTAL OF THE ACADEMY.
"was the amount Of rent paid by Mr.. Maretzek
high as to bring about his failure?'
ION the contrary. think IL very low indeed.
Mr.. Maretzek paid $3.50 q night, which is 500 less
than he would have had to pay for any other first
rate house holding 1000 people less than the
Academy does. Tho fact is people mistake our po-
sitions directors of tho Academy. We do pre-
tend to carry it q charitable institution. but
simply trustees for the and trying to
do the best for the and the interests of
art Why. Of this $50 probably $50 goes for gas.
The running expenses Of the Academy are s25, 900
year. and the gross rental per annum does not OK
coed $50 OO0."
$50 that the Shareholder profit is represented
solely by their free admissonY'
Exactly. but there is not much in that when you
than the seats would cost box costs say $so0O
Now the interest on that amount at seven per cent
IL $780, while you could buy box for less than that
even from the specuators.
rHE SHAREHOLDERS pErKNDED
"Mr Maretzek claims that the shareholders killed
his opera by purposeiy staying away aud thus ieav-
Ing all the best seats empty"
'Thats simply absurd Mr.. Musgrave replied;
'the shareholders did rot go to Mr.. Maretzek's
opera because they mostly still out of town.
and IL is rather too much to expect them to come to
the city for the sole purpose OF hearing Mr. Maret
xeks new opera. The shareholders have country
houses at Newport on the Hudson, and they do
not return from them to the city till later in the
season. went. and was very much pleased. and no
doubt Mr.. Marctzek would have met with bettcr sue
cess had he only opened later in the season.
'Did you sec any shareholders at the performances
disguised in overcoats because they feared that an
American opera would not be fashions nsbe?
Certainly not" Mr.. Musgrave replied laughingly.
81 know that j. for one, not disguised in my
overcoat. don't believe q dozen of tho sharehold-
ers were In town when Mr. Maretzek's season was
opened. and had hc only addressed circular to
them asking them to relinqush their boxes they
would have responded cheerfully. 1"
what: then. was the cause Of Mr. Maretzek's
failure. do you supposer
II think no began too early in the season. aud then
II has been very warm. Tho theatres have all been
doing poorly. believe. and the walking match seems
to have largely absorbed the amusement seeking
element of our population"
WHAT MR. LEROY SAYS.
Mr. Herman H. Leroy. treasurer and secretary OF the