New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-15
THE PROPOSED NEW OPERA HOUSE.

DOUBT ABOUT TIE PROJECT BEING CARRIED OFT.
In conversation with a TRIBUNE reporter vest er-
day one OF the directors OF the Metropolitan Opera
House Company said, IN answer to inquiries re-
rardng the future of the project: d" There isn't
much early history to the Opera House project. 1t
came into existence so suddenly that there was no
time for history Il Orly wish it had gone out OF
existence with the same rapidity. The idea first
originated with James A. Roosevelt, George H.
Warren and one or two Others who had made up
tier minds that the old Academy was ill-adapted
for the purpose and was too far downtown. They
wanted an opera house second to none III the world
ana situated uptown. When the inst estimate was
maize of the cost including the purchase OF the land
81 900 600 was The sum. stock 10 that amount was
subscribed 1t was learned, however alter more
careful investigation, that that sum was about
5000, 900 too small. In consequence OF the higher
prices at present demanded for labor and material!
another addtiOni is Necessary to the original eStl-
mate and the Metropolitan Opera House, II bullt,
will cost about ! ,j2J, 600 The directors are now
in quandary TO whether 1t IS better to 60 ahead
or stop where they are They have referred the
question to the stockholders but they don't seem
10 have any definite views On the subject. When
the matter discussed at the last meeting OF the
directors 10 was decided, far rs they were con
cerncd bv vote Of eight TO three, believe. 10 20
ahead and put up the Opera House. My own pri-
vatc opinion is that we would better stop right here
and see if we can't so ahead by and by when mate
Iials cheaper and wages lower I'm Lot at al
in favor OF going ahead now in view of the present
How much did the stockholders put in when the
company was organized ~ asked the reporter.
Each one put in $4,000 This was aiterward
,OtlO MS sum pIONlutu 10Y edtu man
a box. Il don't know whether not II was designed
to include admission TO the Opera House. In the
Academy all The stockholderS 90 IN Tree; so sup
pose We would. What the directors are trying to
find out now ls whether the stockholders want them
t. proceed with the erection OF the building When
we appealed TO the stockholders some time ago it
was IN the hope that they would refuse to pay any
more. But unfortunately, in my opinion they were
the other side of The fence 80 instead OF getting
right out of II then when we had good opportu-
nifty, we had TO go on as directed by the stock
holders"
:" Dl any of the original stockholders refuse to go
on with the matterP
On. yes. When the price of the boxes rose from
$4,000 to 40 900 one or two quietly stole away.
President Grswod refused after his term of Office
expired to be reelected OF course it's very easy
To talk about spending more money with which to
complete the plans; but 1t isn't so easy % get the
money. But if we ever do have that Opera House,
it will be noble one. / see Nh Mapleson referred
TO it In a recent interview with him IN
TnX TRIBUNE. It's thing New-Iork needs no
donbt. and will have; but | hOTc the III wait
little while longer untlllt can be put up at reason
WHo are the officers of the COMPANY at present p,
"James A. Roosevelt IS president and Lg!stO +.
Fabbr IS secretary. The Board OF Directors consists
of George Il. Warren Gnes A, Roosevelt George
Peabody Wetmorc, George &: Haven, Robert
Goelct f. f. Fabbri, George T.. Fearing, John ~ A.
Grlswold, Johnston Livingston, Levi r. Morton
Gc0rge G. Haven one of the directors said " All
there ~ about 1t is that there has been in
building material which will make the building cost
more than we originally thought and made caicula-
tons for; consequently at the last meeting OF tie
directors there were some who were IN favor Of
throwing the whole thing overheard. II wa, how
ever finally decided 10 send to each one o! the
stockholders circular containing a statement OF
the facts the case, and asking whether or not u
would be better In his estimation 10 proceed with
the scheme give it all up. The thigg was started
without any idea of making money out OF It,
Money could he borrowed aud the plan put through
and an elegant building erected
Egisto +. Fabbrl said that there wasn't anything
TO say, would there be antII after the meeting
of tho stockholders, the time for which had not
been decided upon.