The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-19
The American Opera Row.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
NEW YORK. Dec. 1.-THE little dispute be-
tween Nine ursch-Madi, the dramatic soprano
of the National Opera Company, and Mr.. Theo-
dore Thomas threatens to be boomerang for
Theodore Thomas If we are to believe Mr. De
Vivo, the agent Of Fursch- Madi, and q man
pretty well up in operate matters, there
ls a little Thomas ring in the National
Opera Company. Miss Juch, 1t appears, is the
Thomas prma donna, and no other singer gets
living show Ibelieve Mile Hastrelter, who won
the first triumph for the scheme in "Orpheus
and Eurydce." held the same opinion.
The row has been precptated by De Vivo,
but am bound to say that it has long been
question with intelligent observers here whether
the liberali.y, good taste and tireless energy Of
Mrs. Thurher would win in this fight
pr the arrogance and incompetency of
Theodore Thomas would beat her. She
has a womans enthusiastic admiration
for the man, and she sticks to him with wom-
ans LOYALTY But you cannot talk Thomas to q
New York musician or connoisseur. And am
compelled to say, out of my own knowledge of
pin, that the National Opera will never succeed
until she takes down her idol and puts
mp an operate director. This is
an awfully ungracous thing to say of
one of the noblest efforts ever made to put music
In America on a self sustaining basis. But alas,
success in this world depends on our doing the
uncomfortable things. ] have a profound con-
executed this scheme will yet rise above per-
Bonal preferences and the whole idea. But
good-by Thomas whom she does.
Do you know what she would say If they rush
20 her with Fursch- Madi and the Hastreter
row2 This: who is Fursch- Madi or Has
treiter that they should stand in tho way of
great national undertaking." Then some one
might mildly suggest how about Thomas7
Her expression would change, and in
pensive moment she would say: HE is q nation
a. undertaking" WE'LL is he, now, honor briehtq
Isn't there some truth in De Vivos charge that
he has tried to kill the odlous star system by
starring nothing but Theodore Thomas and his
orchestral Hasn't he tried to do opera in En-
Glish with German trimmings Isn't it pretty
well understood that he is working En-
glsh opera the symphonic plan, much to
tho disgust of the vocal part Of it2 Isn't it
patent that If English opera succeeds it will
have TO appeal to the people2 Heavens, when
think of the millions of arid hearts in this
country who want to hear the old melodies that
?arepa Rosa poured out to them, and see
his Wagner crank reviving "Orpheus and
Iurydice," and strainng "Lohengrin' into the
pens cup OF vernacular | want 20 get up and
scresm. De Viyo says that Thomas always tries
to find out what it is that the pu bile do not
want for any price. and then hastens with Joy
and gladness to give it to them. But that isn't
half as sad as Thurber, who fastened to find
out what it is that Thomas cannot do. and then
backs bin up with salary of $50 600 year to
10 II ruihlessly. NYM CRIEKLE.
Recoilections of Old-Time Players.
Prof. E. II. Cox ex-State geoogist, writes from
New York City. II was much pleased with the
copy of the Journal containing Professor Collects
sccopnt about the crow, and B. r. Sulgrove's
"reminiscences Of old actors. ] knew Lindsey
3ell. He was o good actor. His wife's sister
ived anu died at New Harmony, my old home
Mrs. Lindsey was good actress Lindsey was
she head OF o strolling company. Besides him
self and wife, it embraced Mrs. A. Drake. one of
the best actresses the stage in her day In
an unfortunate hour, she and tho talented young
poet, of Ferre Haute George w. Cutter, married
Mat Lake was also member Of Lindsey's COM
9any. Robert Dale Owen cot this company TO
play his drama of "Pocahontas" at New Har-
mony where there was a good theater. But
with all the talent and whisky they could put
into the play il was dead failure. Mat was
playing Richard III at Mt. Vernon. in the hotel
dining room. and would keep running out to the
bar-room for drink. and the landlord, Pritch-
ard, was keeping tally of the drinks furnished
tho company with chalk. just before the
dream sceno Mat came rushing out in all his
royal robes and armor saying Quick, quick
pritchard, give mo another drink. This
pnly makes ten, and / knew q man once who
Douldns play this part under fifteen In those