New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-16
THE COMING OPERA SEASON.

We are on the threshold of the eighth
season of grand opera at the Metropolitan Opern
House, which will begin on Wednesday night
of next week. The time Is fit, therefore, for
the performance OF public duty. At inter
walls, ever since the noble institution in upper
broadway first opened its doors to the public,
an effort has been made to make the world be-
eve that its career has been stormy and stress
full The stockholders have been represented
as dissatisfied with their directors, and the di-
rectors with the judgment and conduct OF their
executive head. 1t mattered not that hard
upon the heels of these periodical outbreaks each
year followed the formal determination OF the
stockholders to persevere on the lines laid down
lin the beginning, and that each years expert
ence put in clearer light the wisdom OF Mr..
Stanton's policy and increased the public adj
miration for his foresight, devotion and admin
istrative skill the spirit that prompted the
attack was british, and manifested itself with
the persistence peculiar to a swapping, snarling,
skulking cur.
The duty which it is a pleasure to perform
is to make acknowledgment OF these facts, to
commend Mr.. Stanton and the directors whom
he represents for the work done heretofore, and
to congratulate the people of New-York on the
prospects for the coming season. The fact
ought to be known that to the enterprise and
public spirit of the Metropolitan stockholders
the executive ability. intelligence and disin-
terestedness of Director Stanton and the zeal
and artistic skill Of Conductor Seidl New-York
owes the possession of one Of the proudest
operatic establishments in the world. The
circumstance is one that invites general con-
graduation. The lover of dramatic music must
first OF all feel grateful for the opportunities
to enjoy the lyric drama in its best estate !;
but the patriotic citizen to whom nature has
denied the privilege of being moved by con-
course of sweet sounds can also take pride in
tho thought that the royal and municipal ex-
chequers of Europe, combined with the manifold
advantages of older culture and easier cOndi-
tons OF artistic existence, are yet unable to
compete in all respects with an institution in
democratic America which rests only on the
patriotism and public spirit of it's stockholders
and the appreciation of the people. We are
often accused of being boastfu Nation, but
this boast is one that can be uttered without
immodesty, for it is based upon the intelligent
Judgment of persons familiar with the artistic
conditions Of foreign countries.
Mr.. Stanton's plans for the coming season
are exceedingly broad-minded. They recog
nize the desire on the part of opera patrons to
become acquainted with new works, as we'll as
to enjoy compositions which have won the
stamp OF popular approval. They are narrowed
by no school lines, but embrace Characteristic
examples in all styles of composition. They
challenge degree of financial success COM
mensurate with the artistic which we are sure
they will command. Art-lovers may look for
ward to the representations with confidence !;
they will enjoy them with feeling of gratitude.