New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-03-07
MIR. MAPLESON AND HIS SINGERS.

TALKS WITH MEMBERS OF THE COMPANY
THE MANAGER ADMITS THAT HE HAS HAD SUCCESS
PUL sEAsoN-wnAT MADAME GERsTER, MISS
CARY AND OTHERS HAD TO SAY.
j. H. Mapleson and the members Of his opera COM
pany arrived in this city yesterday after an extended
tour through the country. TRIBUNE reporter
called upon the manager and several of his company
TO learn something about their views in regard 10
the trip and to ascertain what they expect to do in
the coming spring season. Mr.. Mapleson said:
II have been twenty-five years In this business,
and have never had more successful season than
the present. am inclined to think that the Amer-
can people are becoming more fond OF music every
year. Still, outside of NewYork, they like the old
favorte operas. Madame Gerster's appearance IN
'Lucia or La Sonnambula is the sure signal for
n crowded house. found that the public was eager
to hear her everywhere and in any part. She is
certainly a great favorite. That indeed, may
truthfuy say of every member of my company.
There is not a single one Of them whom tho
public does not like. The press occasionally hnds
fault; but | think, with all respect TO the many
able critics in this country, that the general public
does not join in these nice distinctions am going
to try tue exp rInent OF giving great deal oil
novelty during the present season. There seems 70
have been great deal OfanxetY TO hear LObenRrln
in our last season here shall certainly present It
now. Don Giovanni and III Barbiere will be the
novelties of first week, and Others will follow IN
RAPID succession. Shall present an
prima donna during this season. | have not yet
decided. but she will be either Mile Minnie Hauk
or Mime. Pappenheim."
Madame Gerster said in reply to the questions OF
the reporter: We had Il charming trip. We were
heard by large audiences in every city, and am
sure Mr. Mapleson has made money. In Cincinnati
the Music Hall was crowded every night You
know IL was an opera festival. Persons cane from
all the towns in the neighbOThOOd OF Cincinnati.
We had large chorus and good Ia orchestra, ' Inc
of the press were very KIND. Mr.. Nichols. who had
great deal 10 do with the organization OF tho les
tival, WAS called before the curtain ana very much
applsuded. He did not want TO go out but Signor
NOvara pulled him forward and made him show
HIMSELF
Mile Yallcra was found resting quietly after he-
Journey. She said to the reporter:
"Oh. enjoyed the trip very much. You know
singing. the samo parts 90 often but the change
from place 90 place, and the different manner in
which different audiences receive the same per-
fOrmances, make IL scom as II wo were really play
ing new opera each night. IL ts astonishing, too.
to see how well the members OF the company stand
the dscomforts of travel Singers throats are pro-
verbal for their susceptibility to cold, but thoro
have been no disappOntments 10 speak oil since we
left this city. II true some OF us were sick while
here, but We all nave Dren III eNcelOnL heAIth WHO
OH the road" , A.,
while travelling The members OF our company
are very agreeable. or course thero Is an occa,
sional bit of trouble. but 1t Is only momentary. l
quite recovered from the cold had while IN this
city. In fact all the members OF the company are
in good condition a. far as | know, and | think we
shall 20 through the present season very smoothly"
The reporter also endeaYOred to see Slgnbr Cam
panini and Sgnor ArdIti, but was unable 10 find
them Mr.. Croft, the business manager Of the COM
pany was questioned regard to the slight mlsun-
derstandlng that took place between SignOT Cam
panlmi and SIgnOr ArdItl. and SAID:
IL WAS in a rehearsal IN Cincinnati whom we had
very large chorus, that Sgnor Rosari was endeay-
orDg to assist Sign0r Ardlti by leading portion Of
the chorus which could not soe Ardl. Rosan ~ "A
great friend Of CampannTs and 10 was through the
tenOTs influence that he was brought over ROsarrs
part of the chorus did not keep in time, and Ardit
spoke very sharply to him. Campaninl interfered,
and then Arditi remarked that RoSari was q mule
would not sing. lie even told Mr. Mapleson that he
would not sing for $4,000 But he afterward
thought better of the matter and did sing. lie aud
Ardiu, however. not yet on very friendly terms
and regard each other with tragic scOwls when they
meet"