The Washington critic., 1886-01-06
no CULTlVATE NATIVE TALENT,
The object of the American Opera
Cpmnany

company.
Monday evenings representation of the
"Taming Of the Shrcw" by the American
Opera Company in New York was the re-
suit Of years labor, both in this country
ana Europe, by the promoters Of the en-
terrilac, and the expenditure of over $780,
COO. The idea upon which It bases its hope
Of success is that, while almost every petty
Continental State has its own national Goa
servatory of music, America has none, and
that native talent has to go abroad at pres.
ent for cultivation, and mask itself in for
eign tongues TO achieve any prominence or
distinction in musical or operate affairs.
Mrs. Francis b. Thurbcr of New York
city has been the prime mover in bringing
together many of the wcalthiest patrons of
music there and interesting them in the
present enterprise. Nearly five years ago
she began her efforts, and last winter finally
set out to accomplish her object The
American School Of Opera was thereupon
incorporated with directory made up of
such names as August Belmont, Andrew
Carnegie, W. X. Vanderbilt, Joseph w.
Drexcl, Parke Goodwin, II. G. Marquand,
Theodore Thomus, Jesse Scligmnn OF New
York, Harrison Garrett Of Baltimore, Henry
p. lliggnson of Boston, N. X Fairbanks of
Chicago, a. Howard llinklc of Cincinnati
and others. Mr.. Charles Il. Locke was
given general charge of the organization
and Theodore Thomas assumed direction OF
the orchestral department. Mr. Locke
went abroad himself TO secure as many of
the American singers residing there as pos
siblc, and to engage teachers for the school
Of opera which was to be formed.
As the organization stands at present
there are five sopranos, five mezzos and CON
traltos, four tenors, three baritoncs aud
four bassos Besides these principals, Mr.
| Theodore Thomas directs his unrivaled or
| chestra; the chorus consists of 100 voices,
and there is ballet of nearly 200. with
thirty-six lgurantes and twelve male panto-
mimists. There has been no hesitation in
| spending money to make every detail per-
| feet. Scenic artists have been at work since
last summer and, It is believed, have pro-
| duced the best sets of scenery ever used In
| opera in this country. Mr.. Alfred God
| chauX has designed costumes, upon which
u hundred hands have been employed for
months and which have already cost nearly
| 100000, while the associated artists of New
| York have had general direction over the
| paintings.
| All Of this work has been done with the
| greatest care and attention to historical ac-
curacy, and, while Americans have always
| been given the preference it has been the
| object to get the best talent to be had. Ten
| operas are already in rehearsal by the com
pany. They are: "Orpheus and Eurydice,' -
to be produced on Wednesday; "The Merry
Wives of Windsor "Thc Flying Dutch.
man. "I.ohengrin,' Faust" Carmen, y
"Thc Barber of Seville,n "I.akme,n "Obe-
ron," "Thc Marriage of Figaro" "The
Magic Flute" and "Thc lIuguenots. The
scenery for most Of these is ready now and
| the rest is well under way.
But the operate venture Is only one
branch of the enterprise. 1t furnishes but O
means for those who study under the di
rection of the school to reach the public
and to display their talent in their native
tongue. Mr.. Theodore Thomas and Nine.
Fursch-Madi have charge of this school
which is already in q flourishing condition
and has large number of pupils. 1t Is
exclusively for Americans and undoubtedly
offers the best opportunity in this country
for the development and training of the
voice. Most of the teachers are German
and Italian masters of singing. Besides
this there is a school for the ballet, where
nearly two hundred young girls are now
being trained. Some of the singers engaged
at present in the operate Representations
arc not native born, because it was impos
sble to secure Americans able to Gll all the
positions in the companies. As the schoo
grows and the pupils become equal to the
demand the foreign element will gradually
drop out until thoroughly and exclusively
| American organization Is maintained.