New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-03
MIR. ABBEY ENGAGES sEMBRICH

| Prior to his departure for Europe next Thurs
day Henry l.. Abbey making his gements the
opera In the fail. Mr. Mapeson having tarricd
the to talk. 1t is not Surprising that MI. Abbey
leads i'm Iresaro by several laps operate
His company is nearly completed and when NJ. Maple
| son. who is fooling away hs time on the high seas
| steps gaaUtly on the English soil lie will doubt be
surprised ~ find that all Of tie prma donnss have been
taken and the coDtraos engaged and that the bassos
bartones and tenors who are stll unengagcd not
half 50 numerous he had supposed II Is true that
Mr. eye has already reached London aud Is engaging
him that few can resist lie Ia the positive pole In
the operate battery that attracts the negative Patti
"Ifit hadn't boen for Gye said the diva should not
have signed with mapleson--iear Mapleson. But rye
| been VITA eye for twenty-three seasons, and 1t
would be hard on eye To leave him now"
Mr.. Abbey sitting Ia his handsomely furnished
Office ia the Grand Opera House yesterday when A
TRIBUNE reporter called lie took puff on his cigar and
remarked: There's nothing operate matters
az hoped TO be able 10 ann"unce" he continued the
engagement OF great artist today and have been eI
pectiDg cable message all the morning. but have not
yet received it, don't quite understand IT," Mr. Abbey
had hardly finished the remark when cable message
was brought In.
Here II 10 now" said he. at consider this tho big
gest engagement ever made in this cOuntry have sue
ceeded. through my agent in London, IN engaging tho
well known prina donna Madame 5embrcb and this
"How docs Madame senibrich rank among
sopranosf"
"she is considered In Europe be next TO Nilsson and
pal She mas been singing IN Dresden have the best
Madame Patu-for saying that Madame seInbrich in
Lucia 70 c greatest artist In the world She has sung
season"
"Do you expect her hero at the opening Of the Sea
''she win DO here the first week. Madame NIs,on will
sing twice week and Madame senbrich twice. by their
uiDit 4 mil
any : on nign,s Madame sembiich's contract calls
your company must be nearly competef
Wen, uis nearly So The difficult things 10 get are
one in mind sr eTp ,enoS a.S G1e
He's no mean artist ell er As the list stands now Il
pie in this county have suoL AN opera com
ps NV von ,..,, -. -, ''''" .'
Mad Lave you beard any OF the details regarding
None whatever except the cable mossage reoeived
yesterday Announcing that tie suit had been begun
called ateoD To- the fact ha ap A rsms% Ns Maple
Gyessed Tor Europe on The steamship and that
eye She did As quick as she got in London sSe went
ngnt 70 lawyer aud began suit, That's the Kind OF a
THAT'S on Mapeson TSe se i IN ' rs1ard tns
nDe let 4, Wa'en eye called contract. Nilsson will
!. what can be said IN reply to Mr. Napoleon argument
% b m ssn 10 Dc In great demand here be-
London SIo and mo no one there Is tired OF heri"
SIIm ir dns sad MT Abbey THAT the English
get nrea 81 an actor or singer and they
OF To0le." "
" DO you expect TO follow Mr.. Maplesons example In
your opera c0mpanyp
We'll don't think shall find that necessary We've
always hfd special cars for arsts and also hotel
which Mapleson never had before TINS
year And an extra train Is ridiculous anyway. uis
travelling only covers period OF eleven weeks and as
= happeus mat engagements OF one and |
'wo weeks keep the company In one city some
imc there arc practically only fifteen journeys
DO made IN tho whole season Conseo uently there's
rot much need OF special train. When Mr.. Irving
zones TO this country e viii travel by special train"
" When viii DO conner
HE VIII ss hon London October IL in the ssam.
hip Britanfic Counting his Attendants those Of