New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-30
THE METROPOLITAN OR NONE.
POSSIBLE RESULTS OF THE FIRE.
IE THE HOUSE is NOT REBUILT THERE Will. BE
no OPERA SEASON

IF THE HOUSE IS NOT REBUILT THERE WILL BE
no OPERA SEASON.
II the Metropolitan Opera House Is not rebuilt and
repaired and fitted for the production OF opera In
time for the Abbey Grau Company 10 occupy it
after reasonable postpODement Of their time Of
opening there Will be no Italian opera in New
York this winter. This is the positive statement
made yesterday by John Schoenel Messrs Abbey A.
Gfau's partner. Mr. Abbey telegraphed to Mr..
schoeffel yesterday asking for ful particulars Of the
fre the damage and the resulting complications
gard1ng the opera Mr. SchOeel said that
was no ether house In this city suitable for the opera
ana that there was no other which could be made
suitable lie was positive, however. that the opera
mouse could be restored In time the managers chose
to do 1t. There might have to BIZ a little postpone
ment OF the opening, he said, but the company was
to 60 to Chicago for the holiday weeks anyway and
tho New-York opening could be put OF till after the
return Instead OF beginning four weeks before the
departure for Chicago. II It necessary 10 fill
In the time Of the Company or further to rearrange
dates, the Chicago engagement could begin earlier
ana could be Heightened other out-of town en-
gagements could be made, In Philadelphia or Boston,
for Instance.
81 built the fremont Theatre In Boston, said Mr..
schoenel, In four m0nthsthe whole OF IT, and have
seen theatre built I'm two months. from the time
the first pick was struck In the ground. The time
about three months. Ordinarily the men would work
eight hours day. Now suppose when a gang OF men
Is done work each day another gang is put on 10
work for eight hours. and after that third gang for
the remaining eight hours. That is as good as nine
months time for putting the house in shape and I
have no doubt 1t could be DONE The only trouble
! can see would be In getting the hon. All the iron
work OF the roof over the stage is destroyed. But
the iron could be ordered from two three or any
number OF manufacturers, and believe could be-
obtained in time. II the directors will not put the
house in condition the opera company which has been
engaged will be dismissed. fire like this dissolyes
all contracts
The Metropolitan Opera House was built BY Marc
Eldtz g. Son. member OF the firm said yesterday
that he thought the house could at all events be put
In some sort OF shape that the opera could
open at the time already announced and in fact he
named November as date at which It might be
made ready for The Is not advertised to
begin TIL November 81.
At the office Of j. Cleveland Cady the architect Of
the building It also thought that the house could
be put in sort OF order in fine for the opening
even though everything about 1t might not be actually
finished.
Nothing has yet been done toward clearing away
the ruins at the opera house. The building inspectors
yesterday condemned certain parts OF the walls. and
q beginning was made Mt removing them The top
OF the Seventl-ave. wall win have TO come down and
so Will nlue OF the wall In FoItieth-s and q good
deal OF the prOscenum wall. The back end OF the
building was guarded by police all day yesterday and
no vehicles except horsecars We're allowed pass In
Scventh-ave The space under The stage has not
yet been opened and nothing is known OF the con.
dltion OF the scenery stored there. The lakes and
pools OF water must have found their way through to
II and done effective work upon It, The loss has not
yet been definitely computed, bu: the most OF the
estimates made hitherto have probably been too large.
more conservative calculation yesterday placed 1t
at $3.50 oOo The insurance Is &26 600 the build
Ing and $4,000 on the scenery and properties.
James A. Roosevelt the president OF the Metropcli-
tan Opera House Company was Ia town yesterday and
looked at the ruins and consulted with builders and
others. He was not willing to talk about plans
probabilities I'LL after meeting OF the directors. The
directors will meet ut the opera house at o'clock
this morning. TIL this meeting has taken place II
Is impossible 10 tell whether the house will De restored
sold, OF devoted to some other purpose. report
that the site, II not the actual building Is likely to
be used for a hotel which in the middle OF last
winter when the opera seemed 10 be u failure,
has come UP again In the form OF a rumor, but
foundation for II cond DE- found yesterday and there
probably Is not AZ yet more than a vague suggestion
That such thing might happen. Such course as
this could not be- taken by the directors alone but
would have to be referred TO II meeting OF the stock
holders and stockholders meeting cannot bs legally
called except with seven days notice 40 that Ii X
impossible for such change as this TO De- deerHined
on this week