New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-06
Il LETTER FROM 4NTOy SEJDL
EXPLAINING HIS POSITION REGARDING GERM,

H%-NA i%-Ni.'A.'b ilio IOSlA tsEIAlDlNG GERMAN
OPERA.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir With interest have read what the news.
papers CWorld," SUM- "Times'D had to say 10
day about the opera question in New-York. could
not get THE Herald and Tribune and the
stats Zeltung' made no reference to the matter
1t seems necessary that should offer a few remarks
in order to make plain the point of view which
occupy In the matter. Very naturally It was In.
possible for Mr.. SteInway to tell the reporters
everything that took place In the conference; bat
the public entitled also to know some things
that essential in my view of the case.
1t is my aim 10 give stability in a sense TO Ger.
man as well as French opera. Il cannot be de-
MED that there is a longing and justification for
such contamination. Whether or not such an ain
is to be reached by arranging sixteen Wagneran
representations however, is open TO doubt. Ny
plan contemplated the giving OF performances for
five weeks In New-York, not only Of Wagneran
operas but also OF a number OF other new works
by German, French and Italian masters-works
that are not familiar WITH and which, in all
probability, We shall not hear from the artists OF
the Abbey Grau troupe for long time
come. or course. 1t would have been Necessary
for me to travel during the local season OF Tie
French opera. Is not this also the purpose OF H.
Damrosch? Aferward / intended to give a supple
After Mr. Steinway and Mr.. Damrosch had failed
TO give me Il definite answer ID the question
whether 1t was not true. maintained, that y
many-numbered, many-slded. many-yiewed ooy
a theatrical company could only be successfully
directed by single head, Mr. Damrosch PROPOSED
that he engage me. ] asked what grounds
knowing THAI my subscription list WITHIN ioas
days had reached an aggregate OF more than sa""
mot including BROOKLYN. while his as have oeea
,..,I
after three weeks OF labor. Mr.. Damrosch ar
swered that he had assurances from one or Two
ladies that they would hold him completely SAFE
against a possible deficit Now, every thinking
man will grant me that under such circumstances
an operate enterprise can be much more esss
carried out the basis OF a subscription Hss So
l had contemplated. Immediately after MS s.s s
ment had made up my mind 10 abandon my pIsn
Nevertheless. l was curious 10 Know when 9P..T
in his opinion. | should conduct. He placed 10,
hengrn' and "Rheingold" at my disposal az
knowing that 1 am most az home IN tns uni snii
dramatic operas, he also added siiirgSSr1ed" and
Die G0tterdammerung." Mr.. Stelnway uvs- srs
this fair 1t is not for me 10 say what ms !, an
pears that Mr.. Damrosch has a high VplmvgH A.
me, for though he declared himself SSpap'e, o was
ing as much as Richter Lev ana a. M1 four operas
mentioned With the same wnsnss:s on Sse .soud
conduct. and to do all in my power 70 Ys'A c.
them in the most magnificent manner Pssn entire
cOrding to my plan, he would na'e an uhTs
charge of "Tannhauser' and "Lohengrln. ~ vii ne
would have cared for the prepare tioh ot ,hs arst
other Wagnerian works. ana coh9ucteu - rim Ia
performance OF each. yielding the baioh ~ "a he
those operas also whenever was Tphfharnl
present, my engagement with the thii..a,Iy on
Society preventing me from being conunJ hin A
the road. For the future | also promSsssa III new
agreeable division OF the WORN. ~ oomniee
works 10 be produced he was 10 nave laval ,srns
charge Of onehaf, In every respect on eqs deter
with myself All in vain; he adhered to ms ohen
mination to engage me and 70 give m ass3,erdam-
grim" Tristan" "Rheingold ana
merung" . acure the
Now. 1t will be possible for him 10 secgI slncs
he Is assured against a possible ueIiS.' 10 make
hopes not only TO be successful 0uI a's ~ nv ex.
money. What remains for me 10 90 ,sns Being
periments? That has never been IN my -,sking cas
only be directed by one high In auihorI!' md fee-
solely responsible for the artistic outcome schieys-
ing also thai by reason Of experience pas n more
ments and demonstrated compel ehcS, r-Ssrh but
likely to be such man than M 10 rantrol tie
that for the present. at least ne Can tss,ng 100,
financial means more easily than l-consHeraay are
that influential Germans Ike MI. s. si Of the
not OF my opinion concerning the sNSfr,in from
enterprise. | shall for the presen' nors favorable
pursuing my plan, and walt for NOR .rr@stlesly
time. But | must protest again most tn-tt s var
against the widespread notion that ms beeu NY
between 1.-The two great leaders IL nae Ieyi snt
belief that THE great leaders are hlchte. .asm he
NIottl Whether or not am also one Oh ~ accon'
New York public may judge. In we" o, M cDs'L
In the past seasons OF wy 'hsva bte1
| do not know whether or not shouit -asa,slsr'
called to New-York had been wishou n al he nus
but this do know, and along with ME an Ne ~, Dam
cal cognoscenti Of New-York, namely, INA. % op,s
rosch Mil have TO make his reputation a. Nsxe
director next year. | hope ne WIZ rs ,se per
prove the correctness or MS c.i', >,rnT sElDA
of Richter Levi ana Mott. A-'iN-
afaN lima 4.