, 1880-04-18
THE oPERAT1C OUTLOOK FOR NEXT SEA
- SON.

Events are already shaping Themselves at
the East in manner to indicate 1ivelier
and more legitimate season of opera, both
Italian and English, next year, than we have
had for a long time, and it is noticeable fact
that the managers are already In the field
making their arran ngements and applying for
dates. From the present outlook it appears
probable that there will be two Italian
troupes and one English certainly, with q
possibility Of one or two more.
The most detinit arrangement yet made is
that Of Col. Mapleson, who has secured a five
years. lease OF the Academy Of Music In New
York, without any pecuniary consideration
! on his part, which is equivalent to subsidy
| from the stockholderR By his agreement he
binds himself to give operas for season Of
ten weeks, beginning Oct 12 and closing
Dec. 25, each year until 1886, with the privI-
lege Of one matinee each week, the only con-
ditions binding upon him being to give first
| class performances and not to give per-
formances elsewhere in New York during
the five years. The stockholders reserve 200
seats, which they have always done, pay all
the expenses Of lighting, heating, and clean
ing, and charge no rent,-a concession which
has never been made before, and generous
enough to warrant Col Mapleson III equip
ping his next seasons troupe In firstclass
shape. He has made a good start towards
this by signing contracts with Nine. Nilsson,
Mime. Gerster, Mile. Valleria, and Sigs.
Campanini and Galassi. II the remainder Of
the troupe is filled out on this basis we shall
be likely to have Italian opera given in this
country as 1t has not been seen since 1866.
But Col. Mapleson is not to have the
field uncontested. Some of the wealthiest
New Yorkers. including James 4. Roose-
welt, ". Z. Vanderbilt Cornelius Wander
bilt, Pierrepont Morgan, George Henry
Warren, George Peabody Wetmore, and
others equally solid, have incorporated them
selves under the title Of the Metro
politan Opcra-House Company, Limited,
Of New York; The amount Of cap
ital stock is fixed at 5000, 600 and the ex-
istence OF the Company limited to fifty years.
More than one-half the stock was placed on
the first days opening of the books, which is
more than the amount fixed by law as neces-
sary to warrant operations. A site further
up town than the Academy has been selected,
and we understand from inside sources that
1t will be built on property controlled by the
Vanderbifts, and that the scheme includes
not only the erection of 4 handsome opera
house. but other business improvements i'll
connection with It, SO that the house shall |
rest upon commercial basis, which IS a |
pretty sound idea Nothing has been made |
public as to the musical designs of the man-
agement. or what the management will be, |
but there are rumors in the air Of a pos
stble organization Of a troupe where all |
the singers are Of good average merit,
after the manner Of the companies
In the large German cities, instead Of |
using up the money necessary for good
ensemble in paying q star, and of the en-
ployment Of some such leader as Theodore
Thomas or Dr.. Damrosch to bring out the
leading German and best Italian operas. It
would at least be novel experiment, and
one which many musical people would like
to see tried and pitted against the conven-
tional star system.
Meanwhile Strakosch, seeing what is in
the wind, and thoroughly satisfied with his
losses during the past season, which have
been vefy heayyt has backed entirely out Of
Italian opera and Joined shands with
his old partner, Mr.. Hess, for an
English opera season upon an exten~
'lve scale. It is reported that they are
now considering propositions. from four
prlma donnas, Miss Kellogg, Minnie Hauck,
Marie Roze, and Miss Gaylord, the leading
ady OF the Carl Rosa troupe. The latter
would be q strong acquisition, as she has
proved to be firstclass artist, and is an
singer, but it IS extremely doubtful
whether Carl Rosa would part with her,
specially as 1t is within the possibilities that
le will bring his own troupe here next sea-
on. Of the other three, any one would be
but any two would quarrel. though
"o managers Of the experience and staying
uahtles Of Hess and Strnkosch ought to be
PIE to handle half-a-dozen warning yocalists.
mere Is material enough ahoat to make
cry strong English troupe, and one which ,,
aignt even compete with the Italians. /
Judging from all these signs. the opera |