The sun., 1894-05-06
ANTos sEIDL AND GERMAN OPERA.

How Mauy "Grest Leaders" Are There -
The Damro-eh Option Expires.
Anton seidl writes to THE Bun to explain the
position he occupies regarding the production
OF German opera here next season. Mr.. Seidl
says that he had planned to give nve weeks Of
wagnerian operas and new works not familiar
here. and also . supplementary season of three
weeks He SAYS:
After Mr.. stelnway and Mr.. Damrosch had
failed to give me definite answer to the ques-
tion whether It was not true. as maintained.
that SO many numbered. manJ-sided, many
viewed body as q theatrical company could
only be successfully directed By . single bead,
Mr.. Damrosch proposed that he engage me. J
asked on what grounds. knowing that my sub
scription list within four days had reached an
aggregate OF m ore than SIT. 900 mot including q
Brooklyn). while his, as have been told.
amounted to something more than $4,000
after three weeks OF labor. Mr. Damrosoh an
swered that he had assurances from one or
two ladies that they would hold him COM
pletely safe against . possible deficit Now.
every thinking man will grant me that under
such circumstances an operatic enterprise can
be much more easily carried out on the basis
Of subscription list as had contem plated.
Immediately after his statement had made
up my mind to abandon my plan. Nsverthe-
less, was curious to know which operas. In
his opinion l should conduct He placed Lo-
hengrin' and 'Rhsingold' at my disposal and
knowing that am most at home in the heavy
drama operas, he also added Tristan apd
offered me the choice between 'SieRfried and
this fair. 1t is OF for me to say what his views
were before the conference
confess that T. ,sppsars ~ that i%nuIS M5 Ga%
Richter. Levi, and Mottl. he was yet willing to
%tS The %s same H'S WSgnsss lin offered to put
the stage al the operas which We should
sSs@ n the heG %
to Plan he wSSd ns's
sration Of ali the Other Wagnsrian works.
and conducted the 6rst performapce Of each.
as0 my enSs9sment ns9 with the FhllhSr@onio sooi:
shs ss PosG Foe % G' sse
a more agreeable division OF the work. OF all
new works to be produced he was to have com
equal terms with myself. Al in vain he sd:
hsred to his determlnatiSn to engage me ana
and an G6ttsrdammeruns.
Nov It will le possible for him to secure the
stTSRohfis sinas hs Is eRsis assured dUSs sn S SS So. %
felt; but he hopes not only to be successful.
but also Is G TSfs Psse
q German opera undertaking can only be d.
reeted by one high In authority, fully and
solely responsible for the artistic out
come, and finding also that, by reason
OF experience. past achievements. and dem.
onstrated competency. / am more likely
to be such Q man than Mr.. Damrosch, but
that for the present at least he can control the
financial IN cans more easily than I-consider-
ing, too. that Influential Germans like Mr..
Steipway are not OF my opinion concerning
the direction OF the enterprise. shall for the
present refrain from pursuing my plan. and
walt for a more favorable time. But must
protest again most energetically against the
widss pread notion that this is war between
tho two great leaders' 1t has been my belief
that tho great leaders are Richter. Levi. and
Mottl, Whether or not am also one OF them tn Q
New York public may Judge. In view OF my ac-
com plish ents In the pact seasons OF German
opera. / do not know whether or not should
have been called to New York had been with
out a reputation but this do know. and along
with me all the musical cognoscenm Of New
York. namely. that Mr.. Damrosch will have to
make his reputation as an opera director next
year. hope he will be able to prove the cor
tectness Of his claim to be the peer Of Richter.
Levi, and Mottl. 100 ANTON sEIDL-
The time for the refusal Of the Metropolitan
Opera House extended to Walter Damrosch
expired yesterday. Mr.. Damrosch had con-
sultation with Mr.. Grau yesterday. but no
contract Was aligned.