Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-23
THE M'CAULL OPERA COMPANY

VIII Continue as Of Yore-The Reported
Breaking Up Devoid of Truth-DcWOli
HOpper's Last Season.
1t was rumored in the city yesterday that
important changes were about to occur in
the management and personnel of the Nc
Caull Opera Company, at present perform.
ing in this city. 1t was limited that Colonel
John McCaull contemplated relinquishlng
the reins Of management, and that,
as consequence, a Reorganization
of the company would follow. In this con
nection it was stated that there was possi-
bility of Mr.. De Wolf Hopper, and Colonel
McCaull's business manager, Mr.. Benjamin
Stevens, forming an alliance for the purpose
of putting another opera troupe on the road
next season. That these statements were
without foundation, or were, at least, rather
premature, was ascertained yesterday in
the course Of conversation with Madame
Cottrelly, Mr.. De Wolf Hopper and Mr..
Stevens.
Madame COttrelly is directly responsible
for the production of the operas, and, repre-
senting Colonel McCaull in so far as the
active management of the company is con-
cerned, is in position to speak authorita-
lively on the matter. In the course OF con-
versatlon yesterday afternoon, Madame
Cottrelly denied that there was any contem-
plated disbanding of the company. Said
the lady:
THE rumors you mention are repetition
OF those which arose from time to time
during the last year, and which were
founded, 1 imagine, mainly on the condition
of Mr.. McCaull's health. There is really
nothing to suppose that any breaking up of
the company will occur, either
now or in the future. We are
going steadily along, filling our dates,
proceeding very smoothly, and closing
contracts for next season. Mr.. McCaull
takes as active share in the management
of the company as if he were with us. We
advise with him on everything we do; send
him messages every night of our receipts,
and experience as much advantage from his
direction and supervision as we should were
he here. think that the present rumOr is
due, perhaps, to the fact that Mr.. McCaull,
not very long ago, was robbed OF
very valuable gold watch and S10O
one night, while sleeping in his
hotel with his bedroom door open. He
was SO violently i'll next morning as to in
duce him to believe that he must have been
drugged by the thief to enable him the more
readily to accomplish his object. This at
tack threw Mr.. McCaull back in his recov-
cry from the paralytic stroke, recovery
which, up to that time, he was making, If
slowly, yet surely. The doctors in attend
ance on him positively affirm that his final
recovery is only matter of time-proVided
he takes care of himself-and l, for one, con-
fidently look forward to his resuming his
accustomed position with relation to his
company at no distant time. Meanwhile
everything is going on smoothly, and I
think you may rest assured that the
McCaull Opera Company will continne in
existence for long while to come. 1 believe
may say with confidence that Mr.. McCaull
takes so much interest in his company, and
is so attached to the work in connection with
it, that the transference of his interests in it
to other hands is probably the last thing he
would dream of it.
'I don't know Of any contemplated
changes in the company" said De Wolf
Hopper, yesterday evening. "Any stories
connecting me with it in financial or
managerial way are devoid OF truth. Such
rumors as you refer to are not new, and are
due, very probably, to Mr.. McCaull's state
of health, which is not of the best. am
not all concerned with the management,
which is very thoroughly attended to by
Madame Cottrelly and Mr.. Stevens
"Have you any intention of severing your
connection with the company, Mr.. Hop
per?"
"Yes. think this will be my last season
with it. have been with it now for six
years, and have nearly decided to make
change. Two or three very good things are
open to me and am just about making up
my mind as TO what shall do"
Mr.. Stevens, when seen in connection
with the reported disintegration of the opera
company. said that, as far as he was con-
cerned, he was unaware of anything ap-
change in the present condition
of things. He had not any intention of re-
tiring, and regarding the rumor that De
Wolf Hopper intended starring next season
under his management, there was nothing
in it. A man OF such ability as Mr.. Hop
per was always sure of having plenty of
good offers in view.