New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-10-21
TlCISSITUDES or ITALIAN OPERA.
IT'S EARLY HOMES IN NEW-YORK-THE
METROPOLITAN COMPANY.

METROPOLITAN COMPANY
Italian opera was first sung in NewYork on the
evening of November 20, 1925, when Maria Garcia,
aftcrward celebrated as the incompatible Maibran,
introduced this form of entertainment in manner
which must have been the vorthiest aud meetcst
In those days there was only one theatre in the
CITY, the old Park Theatre in Park Row, faint
trace of which Is still preserved in the name OF
Theatre Alley. For nearly decade Italian opera
had n precarious existence and found home where
socvcr it could. the old Richmond Hill Theatre IN
Yarick-st. and the New-lork Theatre, after
ward the Bowcry, being in turn IFS dwell
ing-placc In 1888, however Lorenzo Du-
monte. an Italian poet and teacher whose name is
linked with that of Mozart in the creation OF Don
Giovanni" Of which opera he wrote the book, ex-
erted himself to such effect that an association was
formed and in the autumn of S33 new opera
bousc built on Church-st., near Lconardst. TWAS,
for the times. splendid affair. Italian artists de-
coroted the audience-room and painted the scenery.
The arran rcments of the house included parterre,
n first balcony furnished with SOFAS and Il second
balcony. occupied entirely by private boxes, winch
were sold for $4,000 each. The new house was
opened on November Is, 1888 Its existence as an
opera house was brief, and in three years IL was
Transformed into an ordinary theatre, under the
management of the elder Wallack. In 1889 it was
burned.
II was not until 1914 that n building devoted to
onera alone was again to be found IN New-lork' III
February Of that yoar Ferdinand Palmo opened
modest building in Chanbers-st., between Broau-
yov and Ccntre-st., where for three years many
famous singers were heard On November -,
1917. the Astor Place Opera House was opened with
n performance of Emani.' The first season was
nnrortuhntc. and again for time Italian opera was
III .ft,u IN
den. at that time fashionable resort or at
NibIos Garden. equally in favor At length, in
1s5i. the opcr,,-goers having by that time moved
further mn town Castle Garden was considered too
remote and on October ., 1854, the Academy OF
Music WAS opened with Grlsi and Mario III
" Normav Since then the Academy OF Music
has been the only place in New-lork where
Italian opera has been consistently presented
Toward the end of 1870 number ot prominent
lovers of music discussed with such seriousness inc
urocct of building new opera house that ON April
10 1850 formal meeting was heid, NJ wihcH VIC
nrcscnt George II. Warren, Il. Grlsw0Id haven
lanes A. Roosevelt, Robert GOelet, W. N ahueI-
IiIt and q. Peabody Wetmore, and the New Slet.ioI
politan Opera House Company was of
With capital of 81 100000 in seventy shares OF
500 600 each. james A. Roosevelt was 9etiou
president. &. II. Warren yice.presdcnt' Lnlhfer
Eount,c Treasurer; while besides those alrcauy
mentioned the board Of directors included n W. w
names of William ii. Tillnghast, Adrian lseiln' "
r. Whitney, Joseph w. Drexel, Theodore a.
Hnvcmeycr and Edward Cooper. A site near me
Grand Central Depot, was chosen, and plans TGTo
asked of g. T.. Harvey, MeSsrs f0tt9r an an , no
"on q u Post and j. Cleveland Cady all leading
9pchitccts The treatment Of the architects w WnS
liberal, each being paid S3 900 for his plans sn r
he;rg given three months TO prepare them MI;
gadys pIams were accepted, but II was afterward
decided to change the site owing to certain leRa.
ddicnltics After negotiating for several month Tue
nscnt nronerty consisting of block bounded by
broadway, Seyenth-ave,, Ihirty,ninth ana rSr-
tieth sts. was chosen, and in NoyemDer' looo'
yronnd Was broken for the new building.