New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-09
MIR. MAPLESON ON OPERA.
A MANAGERS PERPLExITIEs.

THREE QUESTIONS FOR THE PUBLIC 10 pE'iD
READY TO FURNISH WHAT HE PEOPLE "A>i'
Mr. Mapleson, whose Italian Opera Company
opened its season at the Academy OF Music Oh Mon
day evening" was found by TRIBUNE reporter MOI
dav afternoon in bis private room at the Academy.
He was really longing to see a reporter. ana hau
even gone so far as to think Of sending for one.
smile of enthusiasm lighted up the opera managers
conptcnance as he bounded ont of his char and
rleefully rubbed his hands. rapid
movement among his papers and fumbling In ms
rockets led to the suppositon that stage box was
70 he offered This wasa mistake. But the reporter
was so startled at finding person who longed to
he "ntervicwedr that before he could collect NM
self and PROFOUND a question Mr.. Mapleson had
compared American and London audiences as
cussed the woes of managers and diiated on the
operatic wants of the American people. The re-
marks were something like this:
1.-The time has come" said the manager, for the
American people to decide upon what form OF
Italian opera can be presented to them in SANS
factory manner and be sufficiently remuneratVe To
the managers propose to invite public discussion
Oh this question. PUT that down. iheTe a'
three modes of presenting italian opera, ana want
tbe nnblic 70 decide between them. There are,
therefore three questions for the pubic 10 decluo
First Is opera to be presented as 1t is nowadays
nearly rs nossible to get as close TO perfection as
so admission will allowi Secord. Is 1t to
he an accented fact that star with nothing that
can be called proper surroundings in the way OF
chorus OF orches ,ra will meet the requirements OF
the puhlic In other words Is that 10 De thc oPtra
of the future If that's the case want TO know It,
Whv look at it, Go back 10 China tine reporter
started but was detained by the managers confirm
incl. "and You'll find they have set US an example
for our Navy to follow The Chinese men-ol-"ar
have seven men and one big gun apiece
When they lose slnp, they lose
only seven men and one gun. IhaFs
economy. DO people want that style or dong pnt
into onera colnpilies7 Third, assuming that II
conId be arranged that not only ensemble shGuIih
predominate but that stars should form the Whoie
troupe, Is the public Wiling TO pay 90 uO1iIs 'N'
Nh HON Is this thing done in London'' ventured
I'm london" said the enthusiastic manager,
"neoDle paw 900 or about $500 1or box. Inc
question is, " III people here pay ltf lhaC' "h@t
No one yeutnring to say ANYTHING. il was appar-
emily assumed that they wonId. and the manager
coptiuueG: 'YOu pay great prices Tor eng rs mere
prices that would break the Prince O1 ales' IL you
al far a 12lo cent cigar here at a club you're
liable TO ue XII ked out. And out Yves, you pIaI!h
down 81. And still pc pie are not WILING 10 pay
fnr oucra In London all the principal SINGERS eul
PLAYED get les, than half as much as tney DO mere.
4 manager then has chance. Americans pay
about three times more lpti llidb toNW ioi
thing they use in the way of luxury or dress liau
j. maid in any city ON the other side. Ana Nel Wnth
| once ATTEMPTED to maze the admission - ~,
there wa. a terrible hnJbub When people come ii
and paw So then we'll 90 on and give theh real OPP
era Here is another thing (put IL GOWN / ~
r1,Llic caterer and ii il should be decided that III
wrong and that others are right aad lheY want one
star-I'm simply q drummer can pIlIlB lhcm any
thing they want want to cater 10 me hl'Joitu&'
Now invite public discussion l. Tie press on lll'
subject. And IN the WOlus Oh oHah0SIc"i0' P""'O
for a reply" 80 .....l
Dnring the panse Mr.. Mapleson continued;
There is sill another point. DO they want "a Ut
tie short opera season Ot elght OF ulnD n5nr'' a.
next year we shall have two op IA houses mere;
When | look at 20 for the prlce OF admission anu
think OF all the people ] have to bring over he'G
I'm Enrope in the company. fairy shuddcI.
SOMETIMES wonder how do it at that price lts
nossiLIc that people may wake up and That there
he a demand for tickets at 30 tAeh VIC IL pid@e
:. Does the Academy OF Music suit your
1--WE been constantly urging the directors ana
Stockholders to spend $40 apiece all around ana
make the Academy much better adapted 10 the pro-
ductiou of operas, as am shortly gong To produce
Neverheers AirIcaine on a grand scale as an earn
est of what intend doing II OILY the oppoI utS 10
altered But meet with lnnulhclaule ullIcu
on, All sides shat are quite dIsheaItenng" ,
WHAT is the principal trouble WIFI tne
Academyp , ,Ioori
the great Italian scene painter tpul az VI li!Is
Tor mo and II preves lac to say tbat unless lhlS
change /, made by the directors, shal! nave 10
mutijate these beautiful scenes by cutting on slA
te On each side of the scenes IN ORDER 10 uSG th
that they preferred No surroundings Tor me opera,
and wculd be content with one trick singer. Lets
see what they'll do"