Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-11-14

WASHINGTON, DC. November 18th, 1884
To the Editor Of The EVENING STAR:
Permit me 10 say in reply to the gentleman who
signs himself TAX Payer" In your issue OF yester
day, that do not think he grasps the situation
Desiring not TO be rude, i co not respond. as
might, that the stupidity is his part and on
Lat OF the managers We are giving Italian opera
OF the very best quality that can be obtained for
money, In the world, with the exception OF that
given in the larger opera houses OF Europe and in
London, where company remains for long sea-
son. which makes IL possible 10 do IN the way
81 scenery and accessories The suggestion OF
"Tax Payer" that we could have fifteen hundred
people at one dollar, shows that ne entirely ionO
rant OF the method of grading prices for theater
IL we charged 81 for the ground floor, we should
have TO make corresponding reduction through
OFT the house until we got to TIE gallery for %
cents AT these prices, the National theater
packed It's utmost capacity. would not hold over
twelve hundred dollars a night Our expenses In
the operate productions which we have given here
exceed nineteen hundred dollars 81 .9CO) a night
SignOr Giannini. Signor Wilmant, Signor Serbollni
Si.nor Logheder. conductor, SignOra Damerinl Sig
nora Perd, Signora MeStres. sgnOr EugaZza receive
salaries varying all the way from 5000 to $1,000
minor characters, baSSOS, tenOrS, secondos. etc.
necessary for The perfect production OF our roper
toire at Shor. notice Adding 70 all these expenses
the chorus. scenery, costuming. orchestra, etc
brings our figures up 10 from ST. 900 10 ZOO per-
Torrance. No sane man would place the price OF
his tickets at SUCH figure that II the house were
crowded, he would lose $500 or $500 performance
Al . the present prices, which are some $50 or
always charged, we are able. on a full house, II
packed, 10 hold $40 or Loco, and good average
house Will just about pay our expenses and small
profit TO the managers It must be distinctly
understood that we are very expensive organiza-
ton. We have been claSSed BY the entire New
York press as superior 10 Mr. MapleSons or Mr..
AbbeyS organizations, with the exception OF their
stars, Madams Nilsson and Patti. and from this
fact, 10 quote your correspondent "'raX Payer
again, ave think we are giving the public bar
gain at s.. So" We have seats upstairs for 80
cents. and downstairs running as high 81 50.
We have placed the price OF admission at 81.
thing never before done with a company OF the ex-
eellence OF this, and can say 10 our friend "Tax
Payer" that We are simply paying the Washing
ton public bout 81 coo 10 LOO night for the
privilege OF giving them Italian opera, after which
he can very Wen understand that one feels little
aceroty at the suggestion TO place tickets at so
low figure that II would be impossible pay ex-
pens.sS even II the house was full
Your article Is headed managers Must Come
Down. but washington viii ind that opera goerS
must come up II they desire nrSt-claSS Italian
opera No fmpressarto could possibly undertake TO
bring nrSt-caSs people here II the Washington
public are not willing 70 pay g. so for such per-
torrance as the Milan company gives than they
viii pay 81 or S. so for such dramatic and operate
trash as they hear throughout the entire season.
Yours, very truly,
J. BAKroS KEY, Director
RoBBERIZs RHPoRfzD.-LouiS Meyerhardt 4s6
street northwest. reports stolen from hall OF hts
fssar x13rrx No xrE =