New-York tribune., 1885-02-23
MUSIC.
THE METROPOLITAN OPERA SEASON.

With the representation OF SATURDAY aitot-
noon the first of German opera at the Meropo-
,,an Opera House: came to au Send. Concerning the
artistic achievements which crowned the undertaking
Of the d ecors under leadership of Dr. Danrosch
"a scarcely necessary to add to the copious dseussohs
which have appeared In this column at-various times
during the last three and a half months Ihere were'
however, 80 many circumstances or an exuaoruihs'!
character In the beginning with tue nasty
launching of the enterprise and ending with the un-
t,mev death of the musical director and the unseemy
conduct of Herr Schott which followed hard upon MS
funeral that review OF the work accomplished anu '
attendant incidents has more than ordinary "PP'oP
ateness. , ~ ,ho
Tie acceptance OF Dr. Damroschs wise piah on ''io
part Of the directors was the frht Oh he'esS'
A. faurs of Mr. Abbeys season last spring Ill
eaor, xas mode to induce him to accept the hanaso
ment again by promises OF more Hpei"i euPf -
,ras M more than Mr. Abbeys due, Tor wha'eN'r h"y
have been the mistakes of his administration there was
mo ouestonng the honest, earnest ana sou-sacriuVns
snirt which he displayed from beginning to end IN MS
ment of the stockholders the public and the arss
Mr. Abbey had made losses. however WDlch e''" u'H
from. rank in the long list Of operate victs reachus
from Handers day his, and he was unwlng 10 acocp
my responsibility another operate venture. nc ~
been obliged to call in the full assessment OF $o"Voo
pledred by the directors OF the establishment ana os
besides all the profits OF three other weii-payns
rri.es He offered to reorganize the company "S 'ne
agent of the directors and to conduct the season ~ '
administrative officer, but tle pIdn uiu hos i''''
favor Mr. Abbey shook American dust OH MS ieo' anu
went to London to retrieve his fortunes
Then began the search for impresario For n long
time one seemed have been found In Mr. Gye nut Tue
directors exacted pledges for high CLASS OF
ments in the engagement of Nine Nilsson ana otner
artists whose presence would have been an ample guar
antee and Mr. Gye, fearing bad season because Oh ne
,,ocs canvass ana embarrassed by the absurdly hsp
honorarium demanded by the leading artists In taiah
opera dropped the negotiations late in the summer
Dr Damrosch's project came the directors as last
resort II adopted conditionally as the OH! pun
which seemed at all open. The energetic director nu
exercised great foresight and wisdom in devci"p"s
hi. pan and without involving himself or tho directors
Lad secured the refusal OF the eauihs ai"''' Va '
company which lie had in contemplation IL Is
familiar tale how In the space OF month ne went u
Germany organized his establishment and was back IN
New-York preparing to start the enterprise "hie'
sepmed the most venturesOme ever undertaken WIN
ouer, in This city, The artistic basis OF Dr. Danroschs
scheme was essentially German ~ .dlspehseu wiz 'ho
star system, except 50 far as the engagement vi r
Materna was Difference 81 it, and substituted iAS'eau
n GOOD ensemble unusual attention to the mounting OF
onoras and IL bringing out OF dramatic effects through
the other stage accessories This change OF Dsc ofo-
with it naturally change OF rcpertory. and the Italian
oneras Of which have had suriet Tor years were
mt aside for masterpieces OF the German ana Tohc
conn o.ers. one two efforts TO include Woihs oi
llober or lyrical character because of their artistic
worth were sufficient TO demonstrate the wisdom OF
strict adherence the list OF tragic works o Srshd
dimensions and the sagaeity OF Dr. Damrosch was
shown In nothing clearly than IN the cholce oi
oreras for repre- sentaOn. Another change when was
noneopabiy productive Of excellent results. wa IN"
lowering of the prices Of admission. This brou-h'
be entertainment within the reach of largo element
which was patnot.cally drawn toward 1t ana Which
contributed great deal to the success Wich mas oeeh
obtained
The season began on Monday, November Il, one week
h.l mad ,ha Ara nV n
yr season of italian oIera with Nine. Patti and Mis-
Nevada as his stars" The subscription was for thirty
eight nights uninterrupted hy the customary Christmas
tde intcrrecnum There also 10 be twelve manecs
On Saturday afternoons. The repertory announcehln
the prospectus consisted OF twenty-five operas OF which
twelve were comparative novelties; only three or iof
were familiar the majority OF opera-goers in the city
The chorus was to number seventy voices ana tie
orchestra was TO be that OF the Symphony society Tie
engagement OF trained and successful saGe-lIAh-
ager as Herr Hook of Hamburg gave promise OF iAh-
fl execution OF all the promises touching the conduct OF
the STAGE and the zeal OF Dr. Damrosch led MIN 10
attempt TO direct all Of public performances though
no had capabe men to help him in the preliminary woTR
OF training.
How have the promises of the prospectus teen kept
The first part OF the lies in record 81 h' Work
done The subscription ended on February II,
the day ster Dr. Damrosch had contracted the co.d
rhich brought about his death. The last was the only
one OF the thtyegAt reprs ntatons that he dld not
direct in person. Besides these, I'VE extra evening
and fourteen manees were given two
OF the evening performances and one matinee bclhS
directed by Walter Damrosch and the same number by
eerr John Lnnd first chorus master the troupe The
nst OF operas produced the date OF the first repena
EOn and the number OF times each was gwen can NC
.,t.o gnll tah1