New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-11-01
A HIGH PRIEsTESS OF OPERA
MRS. F.B. THURBERs ENTHUSIASM.
A CHAT WITH HER ABOUT OPERA SUNG By AMERI-

A CHAT WITH HER ABOUT OPERA SUNG By AhERl-
CANS.
Everybody In the musical circles of New
York knows Mrs Francis b. Thurbsr at least by
Few the concerts few .he operate seasons to which
Mrs Thurber been subscriber, and yet so I'M
oblrusvoly that she has seldom been noticed either In
opers house concert hall, while until within few
months her nano has never been publicly identified with
any musical enterprise When however. tho scheme OF
the " American School Of Opera" and opera sung by
Americans" was made widely known, It was con-
cluded almost as matter OF course by those
who knew had heard OF Mra Thurber that the move
wholly In part due to her. Sitting In one
OF her parlors the other day. surrounded by all the
artistic belongings that modern parors are 80 often
filled WITH she chatsd over the prospects OF the School
of Opera.
want to say in the first place." rad she. that the
reception OF the scheme by the public OF New-fork IA
areeaby disappointed there seems to be genuine
enthusiasm for the project among the masses. and
wealthy and fashionable people seem to feel niue
interest In tho development of musical art in
this country. I have found outside OF New
York even cordial greeting. do not
think, however. that the whoe meaning
OF the scheme has yst been graped. tits step when
believe will result ultimately in placing the United
States as high in the musical world as We now stand
among nations In other respects"
What features do you think have not been made sur
hcicnty clearr
"Chieny the educational side OF the project That IN
deed the in which take tho greatest Interest
have lived much abroad and have had an intimate
kno edge educational benefits received by the
vounr artists OF other countries Knowing Just well
the terrible disadvantages in this respect under which
my own countrypeople labor long ago determined TO
School OF Opera is my third attempt though you may
:" Well there's luck IN odd numbers-
Yes think the third ought to be successful Sew
eral years was engaged In celebrating this Idea
waited what might be the result Of that After
satisfying that that was so involved that 1t was
NOW nv idea is that even II the Opera sung by xmcf
is immediate artistic success 1t will Mt any
having fitting educational institution whereby the
material which I, lying round US 10 saoh rich vein;
artistic treasured The first season WILL think Prove
beyond doubt shat America possesses everything
for the production OF great singers eIcspt the
training. Mr.: Locke. who. may say has seconded all
plan, and SGR'eG oo 70 r.. oo T for e
Of his material. and thus the school ana tls opera
will be OF mutual advantage to each other"
The establishment OF such school will need great
Yes. indeed. so far have borne the initial eI
penses chiefly myself bat have mot with gratifying re-
suits In appeals for aid and can now safely count
which there arc promises for an build
inK fund which give hope for national conservatory Of
the first future Tell Us what do.
is the burden OF the many letters received
ead We Will DO t. The rTn,;.s nn,ts COR 9or
the present consists OF ten person. but which may DO
Increased twenty-Oue l become
From West have the most encouraging report. In
fact 1t Is the West which has taken up the idea with the
strangers offering assistance both in money and lnnu
Even farmers and others whom you would think
artistic scheme have volunteered nobiy.'
"will your teachers be Americans as well n tho
mo frst must rely largely upon foreign talent
but Of course. whensver We fnd suitable Ameroan IN
shall give them fair representation Mn.io
W., And r. IN madsms Fursch MadI think We have
lam Dtioua
coved OF the severest courses OF artistic training
addition that faculty Of imr4ring her knowledge to
Others which seomngly 30 rare among great artists
she sang. aud think h was right We making
Arrangements for tho professor Of opera which, think,
viii result 10 our securing OF lnhnlte talent"
"DO you aim at the building OF a schoolf
"That VIII come in time. 1t Is patent To every one
that what SewYork lacks music hall worthy Of tho
name, which will be controlled by no Interested ind
yidua which when hired shAll be the absolute
hiring It, ihink that a building Of thi.
description would form q naoieu. rogni rnios a
noble conservatory might spring up. TN, has also
been for long one OF my pc. ds sssiI az a' a
You have taken active interest In tho opera ~
we'll ma the SCHOOL have you not 7"
"Y... but afraid the imprss'ion has got abroad
that am sort OF associate ma.ag.r Hih Mr; Locke.
doro Thomps have entire control Of everything
connected with tho opera but hays from 1hs
beginning been ready advise and assist them For
nstaBccwc had long dshas over the name Itself Amer
lean clearly Incorrect Tor nere no sneh thns
tOprra sung by Amerioans' and though choice has
beer criticised critics have not yet Irorded better
substitute"
'Do you not think the reperory printed ambitious
one r.
Certainly IL is ambitious. All our ideas are amb
tous but without ambition what would be accomplished
IN art Wait TIL you and of the opera. AS
they will lie given and then pass your Judgment Tor IN
riigrnt impartial criticism 10 what We look Tor no
mcHbcr this is only the beginning We Lave labor@d
under ruus disldy anaRes anu II there are no name.
OF Worldwide fame In our list Of singers that
/. not our fault hut the fault OF the American PUZZLE
which has yet given no ENCOURAGEMENT 10 It's own
children 10 mako themselves worthy artists What NO
have "a good enseube'
"The surroundings such as scenery, otc'will prosum
ably he beyond cayil i"
Eyes think 20. DO you know tho agcsetting In
America as rule sets my toeth edge Scene painters
here have the yIgucHt ideas OF correctness
I'm architecture and the result n that what would other
wise lie excellent to at least rendered RI
diculons by their architectural vagarios. In costume
aIso. I think the influence Of artistic tasts VIII
be discernlblc. Though the dresses will hll he made
here nave prevailed Mr. Locke 10 have correct de
signs made ,y leading artists IN their line. Thus you
IN how many directions such scheme Will Drahch
cut Music actlng for tho pupils viii DO taught docla-
nation aud stage busine-S-the former probably by
professor Of the first classpanDg. archaeology, viii
AN bs encouraged. Surely the American people VIII
appreciate the dignity Of tbs artistic sDdeayOr wo are
striving To make successful. For poor part have
de voted TO IL strength health and time and II succeed
In dong only little OF what have before self ~
accomplish SHALL feel have not laboted Ia vain"
"
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