New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-10
DISSATISFIED WITH THE OPERA
nosroN srnscrIHr-Rs THINK THEY HAVE BEEN
UNFAIRLY TREATED MIR sCtfoEF-
Frf.S ANSWER


Hoston March (SpcciaD-Thc frantic appeals OF
Bosiou's -Four Hundred for Justice At the hands
OF the opera managers have humorous side and
would 20 cosmopolitan New York appear cN-
trcmcly ridiculous Grand opera has for n least
three Years been given In Mechanics Hail no
,oriously UNIT plac" FOR anything Of the kind. a
place that was never constructed FOR ihnt purpose
Every year the public have growlel. hut not until
this season has there been anything Ike concerted
action against the continuance OF this state OF
affairs
This season nearly every member of the opera
company who's" services have been IN demand
has been no. jean de- Rcszkr has not been abb"
20 sing moro than once mp TO last evening. and
then not H. good voice H.s Illness has been fol-
lowed by others iu rapid succession ana night after
night change ~ programme has been made nee
cssary sometimes after the audience had begun 10
assemble Abbey. Schorne Grnu have been put
To heir wits Ed on some occasions TO Give any
kind OF opera. to say nothing OF their inability
TO do az they had agreed 10 do
This OF itself has been enough 20 disturb the
equanimty Of the ticket holders. bar. 50 far a.
public expression Of their sentiments goes, they
have been cheerful under conditions that would
have taxed the patience OF saints. Bur carly In the
season sharp communications appeared IN some
OF the papers on account OF the action of the man
agcm.nt IN giving extra performances. for which
season tickets were not good. o; much more
brilliant character than those accorded 10 season
subscribers IN" big singers were often reserved.
they declared the extras. while secondary stars
considered good enough for some or the
other evenings.
AZ the weeks on the season ticket holders
were getting hot under the collar" Finally.
the following circulated privately. and natu-
rally secured many signatures:
In the interests OF good music in Boston = Is
holders for the opera ut Mechanics Han are desr-
GUS Of taking concerted action toward Iaclltallhg
which shall be FREQ from the features which nave
ooccasioned criticism In this and former seasons.
No steps will be taken unless Il sufficient number
OF subscribers favor tho movement. lt you are not
wholly satisfied with tn" arrangements this year
and wish be notified In case any action is taken.
In order to have opportunity or Joining In II, II
1t meets your approval you are requested 10 srnd
scented to any OF tho undersigned. and ask all others
In sympathy with the movement 10 90 the same
This circular was signed by Messrs Francis Pea
body. jr William Sturgis Bigeow George Won l..
Meyer. Charles +. Sprague W. *. Richardson.
Allen Curtis and r. g. Bemis.
Mr. Schoenel. who was interviewed, told the
grumbers in plain English that II they would not
subscribe TO erect a decent opera house before
another season they would not have grand
opera. In answer to the inquiry: why don't YOU
70 the Boston Theatrc"'' Mr.. Schocffcl sail:
I'VE went to the Boston Theatre for three consecu-
tive seasons. and We lost money every time. Why
should take further chances? What was left
for us? Only Mechanics Hall. As IL Is now it IL
UNIT for opera. so have "A plan to remodel II.
which be done expense OF $4,000. and
thus make suitable place. to give grand opera.
Now. why don't some of the men who promote art
offer to back me? Why don't they offer 10 supply
this small amount OF capital? The hotel men. who
are benefited by our coming; me drygoods mer-
chants. the business men OF the city. why don't
they subscribe? There H. party of 100 here to-
night friday from Bangor. who Will stay for the
rest OF the season They put up at the hotels, and
VIII do shopping. The opera brings them
here. The same thing happens when 10 to st.
Louis Chicago and other cities And yet those
who derive the benefit by our coming never onsr
to contribute "A penny to the erection OF opera
house. as make II possible give grand
opera here every year. Season ticket-holders say
they won't subscribe for tickets next year To this
! reply: Six months before our season should open
here next year. I'll mako the same proposition !
make now-subscribc $2J0.0O and you'll have a suit
able house for opera. II the sum IL not subscribed
Boston viii have opera. They say they don't
to hear opera In Mechanics Building They
don't need to- AS for as. we have made money
ever since came to this hall. We made q
grea. deal last year. We have made money this
season. But we're not Obliged to come TO Boston
TO exi~t. II Boston can do without us. we can do
without Boston,