New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-20
A VISION OF GERMAN OPERAS
CAN IT BE REALIZED on MURRAY HILL?
MR. HAMNERsrEIy IS A MAN OF ENTERPRISE,


DUT HIS POWERS HAVE A LIMIT
Oscar Hammersein is Of the most energetic and
entcrprisng = managers. and is sustained by the bold
ness Of Success but IL is by no means easy to take
serious view Of his German opera project. The
foundations Of his Murray Hi Opera House, In West
Forty sccondst not yet laid. but he proposes to
have three months season of grand opera in German
there next winter. an Offset to the new rule at the
MetropOtan Directors OF the latter smile ut the idea
and say with great confidence Let Mr.. Hammerstein
| 20 ahead, James \. Roosevelt, president OF the
Metropolitan Opera House Company, said yesterday
that he could not the slightest hope of success in
the venture.
I've are not at all disturbed at the prospect OF
oppo,ition.7 he added, and if our stockholders
decide that we shall have of
French and Italian opera, why we shall
have it. That's all And might add, there is not
n shadow OF doubt that the proposal OF Mr. Abbey
will be accepted. The circular OF the directors mas
been sent out. signed by Mr.. stanton and in day or
two we shall know what the verdict IS Having
talked with a majority OF the stOckhoders,I can say
that they are with US. We already have twclty-on
signatures leaving forty TO be heard irom ana
/ We shall get most of tlcm
Mr.. I!ammerstein must give good opera in order
TO have any Of success. and do not see now
he can make ii pay. I understand that the new opera
bonse Is 70 have thirtysx boxes That is just half
he number in the Metropolitan, and If the venture Is
10 be supported by subscriptions for them Tile III
divdua expenses OF the subscribers will be very heaVy
II cost, nc $1,000 a year to hear opera at the Met
ropotan and the rest OF the boxhoders pay Just as
| much making an outlay OF $28800 This sum IN
cludcs the interest investment OF Sl'S"- ooV'
the original cost OF each box being 81 300 ASIDE
from the fact that we receive dividends we arc
assessed annually $4,000 each. II German opera Is
TO be produced by Mr. Iammerstein on the same scaic
as have been giving it. the individual expenses ol
his subscribers will be in the nelgborlood OIL eo'ooV
apiece each season.
"But.7 said the reporter; "hc intends to reduce
tho expenses to purely business basis, and also 10
cut down the prevailing prodiSious salaries 10
! reasonable figure"
/ Wcll.o we think Mr.. stanton pretty good man
at making a bargain, and If he has been eXtIavagent
| We do not know it, As for salaries doubt much II
| Mr. llammcr,tein will secure the best talent at
/ lower figure than it has cost US"
What for instance would lie have to pay hlli
Lehmanl 1t is announced that she will head the
| company"
"Indccd? That seems rather strange. she re
/ fused to sing for Us this season.
What salary did you offer hcr?'
81 do not recall the exact amount, but know
! that she took $4,000 back TO Germany with her as
the result Of her last seasons work. She has alto
eethcr 100000 that she made at the Metropolitan
! opera House.
Mr. IIammcrstcn says that he will depart widely
| from the policy OF Mr.. stanton he will not confno
!
! lighter operas conspicuous place"
4 doubt If that policy Will succeed. our expert
cnce {, that the lighter operas are a failure We have
| always lost money on them. Our successful nights
have been Wagner nights; have pulled out on them
what have lost on the lighter performances. Ihe
truth is. German opera. aside from Wagner opera, does
not pay. There is trying to disguise that fact
1T is predicted by the Wagnerites that the Metro
poian opera House Will be- closed the year after
next in consequence of this change of policy"
we do not concern ourselves with such predictions
Was not Mr. Abbcy's previous season of Italian
| opera a failure financially -
There deficit Of some thousands OF dollars
(Which the stockholders made good -
"Tcmpr aiily We were liberal in the terms Of set
| u.meut and Mr. Abbey. though considerably behind.
came aftcrward like man and paid every dollar
Whatever los, there may be- next will be his loss
our assessment will be the same a. it is now
Mr.. Ilammerstcin said yesterday that he should
not uy to give German opera mt the Murray Hill
Theatre une,, he had guarantee from subscribers
IL 100000. lie would not attempt to do such Il
! thing on his individual responsibility, but with this
| guarantee De would 90 ahead and he was confident
O. Success Tie also confident that the guarantee
would bc forthcoming though hc did not feel at lIb
present. Il- should also insist being himself tho
! sole manager OF the house and OF the company AMI
le would make no attempt at an opera season Oh
Mr. upumcr,ten thinks that Nine. Lehman
]
other singers at the Metropolitan opera House on
adytna-cIu, terms liz stage Will Of course be much
| that OF the Metropolitan ana n VIII ba
impossible o. produce opera, ON the same scale that
j. now familiar the latter mouse but the auditorium
viii also De- much smaller. and Mr.. llammcr,teil ar
tUr- that equally effective production ipr smaller
house can uc given with smaller orchestra ana chorus.
while viii De- also easier for the voices Of the prln-
Ciual SINGERS. The carry ing ont OF this scheme it,
abandonment Will make 100 difference about the open
ius of ttc Murray I'm Theatre. lha' Will take place
r,Nt autumn any way, and. indeed. Mr.. lIammer,e.n
intends. II the opera season j, given IL put other
attractions tine stage ON tho-" NIGHTS of each week
when th'r' D. no opera. lie believes that there are
enough people In the city who distinctly prefer Ger
man opera ~ Italian FRI IN 10 support the enter
| pr-r. and that it viii DE carried out.
T.. q. stanton vi, not willing To- express any opinion
a. o. cifcct thai rival German opera organization
would have on the Italian and French season 40 the
Mctop1itau but aid that be believed any prr>cnia
ton ON 70 smaller scale than that of the Metropolitan
opera iluu-' would hurt the future of German opera