The New York herald., 1879-09-29
A Brilliant Season Predicted at the
Academy of Music.
THE CHANGES In THE BUILDING,
Colonel MaplesOn's New Company-The New
Artists Who Are Coming.
INTERVIEWS WITH PRESENT AND PAST OFFICIALS.

New York with portion of his company and that
the remainder Of the same will sail from Liverpool
the 30th inst has rekinded the interest that at
tached to the arrival and subsequent enterprise OF
that gentleman last year. What has been done for
the entertainment of the musical public by Messrs
Maurice Grau and Max Maretzek and what is to be
done by Mr. Max strakosch has already been told in
tho columns of the HERALD. To tho end that
our readers may be still further enlightened
concerning the prospects and certanties OF
the operatic season, so far they specifically
relate to the Academy Of Music, representa-
tive of the HERALD yesterday sought nforma-
ton from gentlemen connected with that institu-
ton for the purpose of ascertaining what prepare
tions have been made for its formal opening by
Colonel MapIeson's Grand Italian Opera Company
and the character of the attractions which he will
probably present.
AN INTERVIEW WITH MR.. LEROY.
Visiting the Academy, the writer found Mr.. d. r.
Leroy, the and secretary OF the Board Of
Directors with whom the following colloquy took
placer
81 understand that you are making arrangements
For unusually brilliant season"
Eyes, several changes have been made for the bet
ter, think. and we believe that our judicious
expenditure will be duly appreciated by the public
''Of what Go these principally consist?"
'Well, beginning at the roof, We have repainted
and trimmed that. New lights have been intro
duced. The interior of the house has been gencr-
ally rcadorned, and the lobby has been repainted,
papered and carpetcd. Several new box offices have
been added that everybody can be promptly
supplied with tickets, in rush. Mr.. Maple.
has also been supplied with new private Office
We have a new drop curtain. and have added seats
for nearly hundred people. Wherever required the
boxes have been freshly upholstered and. in short
I i,pr,
sary the management have sought to make it in q
tasteful manner"
"What has been done on the stage?"
'If you refer to scenery do not recall much
at the moment that is worthy Of mention. The
fact is Mr.. Mapleson paints as he goes-that is to
say according to the requirements of the respective
operas he desires to produce. An important and
desirable Improvement is theintroduction OF steam
heat in the several used by the chorus. Here
toforo they cold and uncomfortable in the
winter, and the poor creatures almost. froze. We
have also added o room down stairs for the men in
Tho chorus and arranged to the end that there shall
be less confusion in making exits from the stage.
electrical machine has been added for the pur-
pose of more quickly lighting the chandelier and
borders. These. think constitute the principal
changes thus far made. OF course there are many
details that do not at present call to mind.
$50 far you know is there entente cordiale
between the directors and Mr.. Mapleson?
Undoubtedly. The aim and the interest of the
directors is to cooperate with him in making the
season successful one. and the property commen-
surately So"
''What is your opinion OF the advance in prices
that Colonel Mapeison has determined upony'
THAT is a question which l am not prepared to
answer. In one it is experiment. but 1
have always observed that the public willing to
pay for good performance
How do you regard tho prospects of the season."
"Favorably. There Is no reason to do otherwise.
Money is circulating freely among the class of peo
pie who frequent the opera. and the good impress
sion left behind by the company last year is factor
that will tell in the successes this year."
ring at the outer door announced CALL and
the assembling of tho Board OF Directors in OF
their stated meetings, whereupon the with
drew.
Subsequent inquiry. however. developed the sact
that nearly all important business had been pre-
viousy attended to the present meeting some
what informal and only for the purpose of reviewing
the situation. Deliberations of this character
naturally confidential and not intended to be made
public.
AN INTERVIEW WITH Ex-TREAsuREn K1scsLANp.
Desiring to learn something still more definite
with reference the possible events in this sphere
d. Kingsand, who for many years identified with
the management of the Academy. and who. although
only stockholder. retains keen interest in all
matters pertaining to its welfare, and o matter Of
habit apprizcs himself Of tho events transpiring
around him.
Mr.. Kingsland spoke without reserve concerning
the approaching season. and expressed his opinion
that will prove brilliant than the 10 st.
And what is your for that belief" inquired
the writer.
The very practical one that colonel Mapleson has
already made a success in America. established a
prestige among fashionable people and retained
the chief favorites who were his stronghold last
year. Besides. he is a man full of dash and enter
prise with large ideas abundant energy, and. sup
pose possesses the means of carrying out his plans
Again. and this is still more practical rcason
know from personal observation, that the subscrip-
tions thus fur amount to considerably moro than
they did season and this in the face of the fact
that the prices have been augmented. For instance,
seats which were $50 then are 500 now"
But don't you think the people will object to this
advance ?"
II do not, because since the promugation Of that
order Colonel Mapeson has received the greatest
couragoment You see the opera is great aid in the
social world Good artists draw throngs
the two 80 hand in hand and make Tor the
manager Take such iavorites as Nilsson, Lucca,
Gcrstcr. they always pay. why. Because they be-
personally the centre OF influential circles rom
this gets IN action it's like a waye--lt doesn't
stop suddenly. One class leads another ~ bound TO
follow. That's human nature. and these people
don't stop to count the cost. No rn1ergtaLds
rationale of the whole thing better than colonel
Mapeson. lts one reason why have l.lth aD him."
who among these favori;e ariistes sill 10 bring
back?'
well, among the ladies, as far as am Informed.
are Gerstcr, LaDache and Annie Louise Cary, whom
yerybody, OF course, knows and admires. lis new
prime donnc Valera and Emile AinLre both Of
whom arc said TO be excellent singers in Europe.
SlguOrs Lido, Robati and stecchi Will also form a
part OF the company"
who will be tho male artstsY'
"fiyo tenors--Aramburo, Euncio and Rinaldini.
who are new, and Campaninl and Grazzi, whom you
know. The baritones are Signors del Puente. Ga
lassi and Iiovore. The bassi all now. They com
prise Signors Behfens, Monti Tebaldi, Mr.. Brod-
erick ana NJ David, Of the Paris Opera. Signor Ar
diti. whom 1 regard as wonderful conductor, Will
also return with the company. j understand also
that IN the organization OF his company Colonel
Aiapcson has Two celebrated prcmicrcs danseuses--
Miles. Carolina and Adelaide Monti-and strong
corps of coryphees The chorus, which leaves
Liverpool on the 3Uth. viii be stronger and better
than that of last year"