New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-27
RIVAL OPERA MANAGERS.

MR.. ABBEY NOT AT ALL DISCOURAGED.
NILSSON A GREATER ATTRACTION THAN PATTI
LOOKING FORWARD TO SUCCESSFUL OPERA
SEASON.
Mr.. Abbey was met q day or two ago at the
Fifth Avenue Hotel by TRIBUNE reporter, who asked
him II be felt sad about the engagement OF Madame
Patti by Mr.. Mapleson.
"Oh no. not bit sad" was the response " IL wasn'e
such terrible fight my part, you know There's no
telling what raise my bid might have done. But
I've had laugh all through this Patti controversy be-
cause I've known all the time that she hadn't signed
with Mapleson. Now Il is barely possible that Madame
Gerster has signed with Mapleson. but I'm not
quite "a about that as I might be. 1
know to be sure Mr. Mapleson has announced her
engagement to him. and 1t may be that it's So but she's
Issued no prospectus for Covent Garden as yet and I'm
inclined to think that Madame Gerster is unengsged"
with Patti in Mr.. Mapesons hands, won't the fight
next season be q hard one T.
"we there may be something lively Ia operate mat.
ters and don't doubt there will be- But my end will
be kept up and the new opera house will not be far In
the rear. We will have opportunities and facilities
there for setting opera that the Academy OF Music has
not and cannot have And Patti cannot be such great
card another 'semramide' will never draw
next season has this without scalchL And
You remember scalchi sings with next year. Patti
can never give Travata to such big houses again In
fact all of her repertoire will DO stale next season.
and ought be after having been sung two consecutive
You must not overlook the TACT that Pat ana
Nilsson entirely different persons in style, In the
manner Of singing, in voice and in fact In everything
Besides Nilsson has been heard here in opera for ten
years. and there will DO great desire
on that account to hear the great artist-for
she is q great artist Nilsson and Patti have no
equals Then Madame Nilsson comes here with large
repertore-Mr Mapleson to the contrary notwithstand
ng-and will sing operas that the American people have
never heard don't to say OF course. that they
anfth nVUiIl n Ia
to study them in London this summer There's per
sonal magnetism about Nilsson that Patti hasn't
and which Ia felt by all who hear and sec her. either on
the stage private Nilsson will be the card mere next
season. first OF all because she is new Patti mas been
here and when hack will be dlicut 10 real
ze that she's been away No, bless you IN not uis
appointed about getting Patti shall mud enough
In Nilsson There would have been 40 money In It for
me- Mapleson knows that as well as I do. So II had
gone In and bid higher might have somewhat altered
the face Of things. I've never been very anxious Tor
Patti"
"Have you engaged Madame cavalazzi for next sea
sonf"
"Ihave. The papers were signed yesterday"
'.Do you look forward to q successful season"
Indeed do. Why shouldn't II With the array OF
talent and artists have secured there's no reason why
shouldn't have every success. You see. i've got TWO
sopranos, contraltos two bartones ana one TENOR
All need another tenor to complete my double
quartet. And with Nils son, Scalchi Kaschmann ana
all the rest of them what or what better can ono
ask or find anywherei The new opera house itself VIII
make lots of difference. IL will DO such marvel OIL
comfort and elegance that it alone would draw
crowded houses"
"what do you suppose Mr.. Mapleson meant when 10
remarked that Nilsson and Gye sailing on the Same
s,eamship together would doubt make up and be
frendsp
"Why. simply this" replied Mr. Abbey laughing;
mthat thrown together for week or more on tho
.amc ship they will settle little differences and
Ina friendly That's ALL 1 know Nilsson would be
clad 10 do so-cr least would not decline But that
faot IAN, going to affect my contract with Madame
Nilsso d. Not BIT Gyo lsbors under the dcusion that
Nilsson has signed with him. Is utter folly an non
sense have consulted lawyers about 1t and I'm aos
taking any chances In this matter It's all bun askeo
weil-known judge for written opinion on II and 10
iaug he'd my face, saying that would Ii riiculous
write one, for anybody could SEQ that dyS
had no contract And 90 have lawyers In Europe
decided It, And then II that eontracs
It was broken some time ago when Nilsson sang ias'
spring In st. Jamsss aar. Loadon, for the alleged con-
tract was for three seasons, two London and ono
America. Oh. don't be deuded about that question
Gyo IL blufnng"
Have vou engaged any new artists recentiyt
Eyes, sfew. But Tn not going TO state wn' 'nos
arc. never az I've engaged any enc uati inc W.