New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-08-08
AuERICIN OPERA PROSPECTS.

4 TALK WITH MRS. THURBER ABOUT THE PLANS
FOR THE COMING SEASON.
Mrs. F. B. Thurber, who had just returned TO
the city her summer home IN the CatsKii's' was
asked the other day by TRIBUNE reporter II there was
any about the American Oper" company S"e
hesitated for a moment and said:
"Ivish YOU knew what difficulty we have had to GET
the pubc TO comprehend the scope purpose ana tras
OF the work. that II Is educational IN CHARACTER
and not ordinary amusement venture. o"'
aim Is promote higher muslcai eauca''ou
in the United States, By establishing
ro,,opal opera and a national conservatory OF
,nu.ic Many persons have asked why do You put tho
cart before by trying TO give opera before you
establish a conservatory and TO person who mas nos
given much thought to the subject TINS Is no an uh-
natural concus on to jump to- IL must nrst be made
apparent that there talent enough TO demand such
.duca onl facilities; and 1t necessary to collect
and nut IN evidence before the American public, upon
credtable scale. the more or less educated talent We
Already mad. THIS has been done, not win ihiaiioa
wisdom genius. perhaps, ami naura'y ho1 "l'hous
mistakes which always attend new enterprises out IL
we may believe the best critics II has not been nhat
tended with artistic feeling and discriminating Judg
mrut.
1--WE have now decided in order TO carry out tie ma
tIona idea, begin or autumn season proDaoY III tho
West and give NewYork season IN the sPrus At the
Metropolitan further idea IL TO avoid any Iieehs'
such as we existed last year from the TACT
that TWO grand operas here al one time Ihs
wa, necessity last year. owing 10 the previous anu
,nrsr,nt engiA ements OF Theodore Thomas and tho
construction here OF our new plant Out hOt tArough any
desire ON our part TO ulure Metropolitan opera sea-
SON TINS be- largely, II not wholly avoided III tho
future" -, -,.,
Thought you were going 10 the Academy"
~ nave decided TO 20 TO the Metropolitan on ac-
OF the beraity AMI frendness Manifesto mere
toward the tra OF natlonA. opera Ihe directors vi
the Academy of Musc last year gave us every posso,
announcement aud Vonmodat alton, including merely
nominal rental. seat amt box without rrsrv-
g any for their stockholders But very naturally they
cannot. they SAY, in justice to their s'o.A.
holders. keep that up year atteF year co"'
they have eIacted from us for the com
ing season not only an inerea' @n,s. 'eI rsn,
depriylng US OF the desirable part OF the hous
while the Metropolitan offered much more iA'orA''
terms" ,.... $1,000.
rhe work OF the American Company has been severe
~ criticised. has IL not T. .. -,
"Yr,: OF course we expect legitimate criticism, ana
are benefited 10y The criticism that we were weak III
prlucpa lust season, AMI TINS weaN-
ness perhaps AL prominent because We Wrto
have been weak. The criticism that there we're some
them limited extent
All national operas In all countries employ some Ior-
rgn talent, giving preference however. 10 their own
We hone to make enterprise more distinctly Auer
can -acn year. We hope omantain high STANDARD OF
excellence. and IN time develop and patfon|e Ane'
lean compo-ers
Has ynnr experience thus far confirmed your impress
sons of the musical resources OF this coubtryF -.
YES knew that ia range % climate, temper ahens
ami race the United states possessed condltons
Ought enable NJ, with proper eiucatlona 'o...
% AXE honorable position III the world oi
we have respects, and our ptst ehprreu,e JUS
not essened faith. Indeed, the only WONDER Is 'na
nation noted for interest and hberaty III euue~
tonal should So long have been WHOM 'hu'
steal university AMI anatona opera