New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-17
ABBEY e. GRAU AGAIN.
THEY WILL STILL MANAGE THE OPERA
HOUSE.
THE DIRECTORS GIVE THEM LEASE OF 1T FOR

DOlitan opera House mas al d>t DtOH 9S''oN 'N'N'
that is as far as the directors Will have anything 10
do with IT, They have given Abbey & Grau, who /
have managed the house this season. lease OF IL Tor
three years beginning with the LIST OF next OctoDef
The terms are somewhat different from those OF 'his
wear In fact, this years arrangement was not
lease al all Abbey a Grau have simply received 'lc
house at the hands of the directors lighted and heated
for the nights and afternoons of opera and they have
also received So 600 for each performance OF thc
regular season. II they wanted the house Tor extra
performances they made separate arrangement ior
n and when they did not want it at all II WAS lelt
in the hands OF the directors for them TO 90 WIN
.. they liked or AS they could. Now Abbey d Grau
ara In have absolute control OF the house on opera
nights and other nights, respecting, OF COURSE u'o
rights of the boxoders for the performances VI uc
regular season, and when they have laoe "'a'cNor
they can on the opera they will make whatever more
they can on the use letting of the mousse lnc
oomnanv will also give them $4,000 for each regular
performance Just as this year.
The arrangement was made by the directors al
their annual meeting, which was held NJ 'ie MeuV
pottan Opera House yesterday afternoon Ihee "e'o
nresent AT the meeting James a. Roosevelt 'he
..,o,t Edmund C. Stanton, the secretary Luther
xun,ze the treasurer; William c. Whitney IT, IT,
Haven Adrian Iselin, George y. Curtiss, Robert
I ,' = Loco psahodv Wetmore After the
a.,,nc TIM following orfcal statement was made:
New.York March 1G 1892.
M mad ., niroctors ~ the Metropolitan Opera House
COMPANY (dndted to-day and voted subject 10 tho
approval OF the stockholders, to lease the Metfo'
Ouera Uouse 10 Mcssrs. Abbey Grau for three years
from October 1. 1892. , ,
Grsu for giving grand for the next three season.
1t is understood THAT the Messrs de ReszKe Lass'i0
and other leading artists will be retained
There were several other propositions offered to inc
directors but that Of Mesrs. Abbey Grau was ue"e"
the desirable. and therefore accepted -
A few weeks ago Abbey Il Grau tried 10 secure
from the directors larger guarantee for next season
,hap he n which was gwen tHiS
season. This was denied and Abbey a Grau theh
sent a letter 10 the directors formally announcing
that they would not undertake the management OIL us
house for another season. The present arrangemcnt
seems be compromise. The sum assured lot ed'h
performance by the directors remains the same $1,000
but the house Is wholly given over to Abbey 0Ta'
and they will have it at their disposal for such extra
nights Of opera, concerts other entertainments rs
they may wish 20 give and will have the privilege OF
letting Others for concerts balls and eAmbiuohs
rs the directors have done hitherto Moreover, the
assurance that they will have the house for three years
will enable them TO make longer contracts Win arusts
and to engage them more advantageous terms
The directors, their part seem thoroughly Urea OF
the uncertainty of the results OF opera seasons WHICH
they manage themselves and anxious to get rid Of all
risk. This year they gave Abbey Il Grau fixed sum
and washed their hands Of the responsibility of the
opera season. Now they 80 further and let the man
ayers take full charge of the affairs of the house
The president of the company, James A. Roosevelt
with the results of the present They thought
that Abbey d. Grau had given them excellent opera
The managers, he said had made the directors dis
Nnct proposition OF the nature indicated by the oihca
announcement which made, the directors were
satisfied with the proposition and they had accepted it,
The house had not been let for other purposes tlaa
opera Mr. Roosevelt thought, much Ii might
have been Of late and Abbey Grau would probably
be able to make more o this possibility than the d
rectos had done. lie said that Abey Gru had given
the directors understand that the company To be
engaged for next would be as capable and the
style Of opera given good as OF this year. Beyond
this assurance Abbey d Grau had given indication
of their plans and had made no mention OF an intcn-
ton to vary the class Of opera from that OF this sea
SON. as for instance by giving larger proportion Of
German works. 1t stipulated that they should
give sixtytwo performances in each regular season.
Mr. Roosevelt said that In receiving all the prvi-
lsges of the house Abbey G1au would OF course as
sumo all responsibility for its management ana con-
duct This season Mr. stanton has been the director
Of the house. but his duties In that capacity Will now
naturally fall on Abbey Grau themselves. Mr..
Roosevelt said that the arrangement would probably not
affect Mr. santOns place secretary OF the B0arl vi
Directors, but his duties would naturally be dHereht
Other members of the Board OF Directors eApresscu
themselves in much the same manner as MI RooNe-
welt in regard to their satisfaction with the present
season. The vote grant the lease was unanimous.
II will be remembered that the conduct of the season
lust ended put into the hands Of Abbey d "rsu
year ago as experiment in the restoration OF ltaah
opera I'D TO the middle of the season 1t seemed TO
be an uDdnbted failure. At that time Jean LaSsaile
arrived and began TO gain his place among The most
popular singers Of the season. Jean and Edoudn &c
Reszke and Nine. Emma Eames being the only others
Of the members OF the company new TO THIS cty VINO
had made pronounced successes. Boon aftcr NJ
,Las.aIes arrival Faust" given with a cast 30
excellent that il made marked success, and IL was
frequently repeated for tho rest OF the season. One
or two other operas comparative degree
Of popularity. Abbey az Gr'u had Declined 10
manage another season, but the opinion
rapidly became general that they would reconsider
this action and continue thclr control Of the house
In the meantime various propositions had been made
BY other managers but none OF them pleased the
directors 30 much as that which Abbey Grau finally
presented.
II has been generally believed that If Abbey d Grau
should control the house again they would devote some
part Of the 10 German works. The possibilities
have been repeatedly discussed Of engaging company
capable Of ongng either Italian Or German opera
singers gave color 10 these theories This opera was
given successfully three times under his leadership
German works IL has been reported on excellent au,
thority that Herr seidl was 10 be engaged for next
Mr. Abbey Is now in Cleveland and Sir. Grau is in
Boston who're the company Is singing Ihe measures t,
stockholders, but the gaining Of this Is only form
Mr. ABBEY TALKS ABOUT THE ARRANGEMENT
cleveland, Mdrch 10 lSpccia)- licIlIy IT, NpDcy WAC
tonight in the box Office Of the Lyccum Theatre
where Nine Bcrnhardt is performing upon the sub
ject Of his lease of the Metropolitan Opera House
What do You intend do with the Metropolitan ?"
he was asked.
1t Is early for 10 have made any elaborate
or detailed plans,n said Mr. Abbey. GAN can say
definitely is this: Mr.. Grau and i have taken the
house for three years from October l next We III
tend give opera in Italian and French, and expect
il viii equal 20 have done in the past-bct
ter than what we have done IL possible. As 10 what
else We shall do, 1t Is too early 10 say