New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-24
THE METROPOLITAN OPERA.HOUSE.

NO FFAR OF A DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE OPENING
WHY MR. ABBEY HIRED FOREIGN MUSICIANS.
The new Nett opolitan Opera-House gives
every indication that It will be completed In time Tor te
first opera OF the the night OF October ~
Great progress has been made during the last TWO
months. The auditorium is finished save the placing Vi
chairs and the persons who Will nut then IN tner
places agree to the work In week. Ihe seats are
in the building and might easily have been put in position
some time ago 1t not that the managers thougnt
1t wiser TO wait until the house il finished In order 10
protect the chairs from dust The carpets are also ready
to be put down and held back for the same REASON
The ceiling and Its decorations finished ana the Worh
Of taking down the painters scaodng has been pegun
The proscenium ARCH except small picture In the
centre Is completed and the gas fixtures are all In
their places The Hobbies and foyer are so nearly com
peted that so far they concerned the house might
be opened tonight They have not received their last
coat OF paint but white paint and bare walls In the
Hobbies would seriously interfere with the presenta
ton of Ordinary operas Tiles are being laid In the ioo
bies. The dressing rooms are ready Tor use anu tne
stage is nearly done The work Of painting the scenes Will
be continued all winter enough scenery will be fin
ished by October % allow the performances to begin
It Is the opinion OF all those personally Interested In the
house who watched Its progress carefully since WORK
opened in two weeks
As positive as any OF the officers Of the company or
employees of the house Mr. Henry r. Abbey tne Lessee
and manager He will not admit the possibility hardy
OF failure or a postponemeDt.
ais there anything that you think OF TO prevent me
house from opening on October ~ y asked tribune
aNothing," replied Mr.. Abbey, Except an earth
Can you account for the many rumors to the con-
| trary 7" ~ A.. la.
POSSIBLY You see all of the musicians In the city
are working against this house much as they caD III
caused great deal OF feeling among them that iredmy
orchestra and military band abroad instead OF patron
izinC home talent Well, didn't do II from any desire
to get my music cheapernot at all The fact although
know II isn't believed that pay just as much ior
my foreign talent would for American musicians
call them American. but you know well as that me
orchestral musicians nearly al foreigners But
by hiring musicians from Europe have secnrod an
orchestra that can surely depend on ~ order re-
| hcarsa mt o a. I know they'll all be there lhere
orchestra the Academy Of Music last year played at
one single performance OF opera without one substitute
or more In Il. | purpose TO have good music ana my
musicians are all under special contract and VIII appear
TO a man every time the Opera-House Is opened lhey
will all el through the country with me aso ana
they get through with work ut the Opera ouse OF
al any other time they will st be under contract to me
that H. they can't of TO play at balls and concerts ana
all that sort OF thing Their whole time Is mne 40 that
ask for II they will begin TO play at sunrise ana Keep
on till tell them TO stop That's the advantage gained
by getting such orchestra besides the Tact That tne
are the very best musicians TO be had anywhere Ana
the new Opera HOuse Will surely be opened October y
in spite OF all the rumors 10 tie contrary. know
whereof speak. Make no mistake"