The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-15
FURSGH-MADl'S FRIEND.
De VivO Ready to Enter the Lists Against
Thomas and the American Opera Company.

New YORK, Dec. IA Quite futter of excite
ment has been caused here in musical circles by
the arrival of M. De Vivo, the well-known oper-
attic manager and at present the professional
representative of Nine. Fursch- -Madi whose re-
cent misunderstanding with Theodore Thomas
and the American (now the National) Opera
Company at ST. Louis made three days ripple
1lr. De Vivo is on the war-path. He has been
studying the internal workings of the Ma
tional Opera Company, and is preparing state
ment for the daily papers in which he in
tends q, expose what be claims is the real
cause Of the difficulty between Nine. Furc h.
Madi and the opera company. NJ. De Vivo is
an operate manager of large experience, and his
statements, made in cold blood. will be apt to ex
cite vide attention and must be met by the board
of managers of the company. The Herald cor
respondent has been favored with a summary of
De Vivos statement in advance or its formal
publication. He attributes the whole trouble to
Miss Jueh, who from the organization Of the
troupe, has been managed by Mr.. Locke aud
petted by Mr. Thomas to the disparagemenr of
every other prma donna. He refers to the fact
that Fursch- Madis difficulty is the same that
Nine Hastreiter had in other words, that no
artist of pronounced ability can fight Miss Juch
while that lady is supported by the manager. the
conductor and the stage manager.
He distinctly dsavows any prejudice against
Mrs Thurber, and says her scheme is noble
one; that she is an earnest, liberal, sagacious
woman, but Thomas is her pet, and in sustain
ing him and his favorite she is unwittingly
keeping the organization in constant hot water.
He engaged for series of years, at $50 900 a
year, and his expenses for orchestra are $50 900
year In spite of the protests of the board of
managers, she has insisted that Thomas shall do
as he pieases, and the result of this patronage
has been to make him the most unreasonable
tyranS that welded a baton He says he
does rot believe that she is aware of the little
ring inside of the opera, nor can she be made to
see 1t, for Theodore Thomas can make her be-
lieve anything Nine Fursch- -Madi, who is ac-
knowledged TO be the greatest dramatic prima
donna in Americaat this moment, he claims, has
been continuously snuhbed by the Juch com
biDation, and was at last openly nsulted at re-
hearsal, from which she withdrew in tears.
When protest made Mr.. Thomas sent
note to her, saying in effect that he would per-
NIT her to renstate herself in his favor if she
would discharge her personal agent and rid her
Eelf of all that kind of influence. which she re-
fused to do.
NJ. De Vivo SAYS that Mr.. Thomas wishes to
run opera without the star system, which means
that nobody shall be starred but Theodore
Thomas and Miss Juch In justification of this
statement he cites the fact that Miss Juch's
Autographs appear in all the windows when the
opera comes TO town. He further states that
GeNeFAl eHOrJS nave D6en made DV members of
the company who had grievances to reach Mrs
Thurber, but they could get no further than
Thomas. who, under the plea of disciplinipg
could make every one subservent to Miss Juch
NJ. De Vivos accusations with regard to the
relationship or various members of the company
If printed as he stated them, would create the
widest kind of a sensation. But he declares
shat he is in for the fight, and has facts that the
management cannot gansay when brought face
TO face with them. With regard to the West.
IN hQ w IooA
.scago and elsewhere owing to the extravagant or
ehestra and other expenses. The result of NJ
4 De Vivo's interview will be rush of reporters
90 Fursch- -Madi, but it is understood that De
Vivo Is acting with her advice. and that if she
talks she will tell great many unpleasant facts
Affairs OF the National Opera Company
New York. Dec 14-An evening paper yes
terday published story to the effect that the
National Opera Company, the successor of the
American Opera Company. will soon come to an
end, on account of its financial misfortunes, and
thar its consolidation with the Metropolitan
Opera-house Company is under consideration.
Francis B. Thnrber, last evening, after reading
the article, said: "SOme person with whom the
wish is father TO the thought must have written
that story. While have nothing personally to
do with the management Of the National Onera
Company. / know enough about it to be able To
say that the statements in the article are largely
incorrect In the first place, the American Op-
era Company did not lose money during its career
this season The stockholders OF the National
Opera Company have not the slightest idea of
allowing the enterprise TO como TO an end in any
form, not even by consolidation with the Metro
Eoltan or any other opera company. Mrs.
Ahnrber is nox In Chicago attending TO the
%alrs OF the company. She and others of its
riends have In the past subscribed money to its
yupport out OF their own pockets. and they are
fady to give more II 1t shall bo necessary, with
Hent caring TO have 1T paid back. The ladies and