New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-08
AT COVENT GARDEN, TOO.
oPERATrC ALLIANCE OF LONDON AND
NETWORK.
THE MANAGEMENT OF THE LONDON HOUSE
OFFERED TO MAURICE GRAU-ADvANTAobs
OF THE PLAN TO THE MANAGERS

THE MANAGEMENT OF THE LONDON HOCsS
OFFERED TO MAURICE oRAu-ADvANrAoBs
OF THE PLAN TO THE MANAGERS
OF THE METROPOLITAN
II is not unlikely that the firm Of Abbey. Schoenei
& Grau-oncc a firm. now q corporation-wii nno
that the darkest hour Is just before dawn. rev
weeks ago he Arm was bankrupt and had assets
which could scarcely be expected to pay It's creoos
more than 25 cents the dollar and 1t had forfered
its lease OF the Metropolitan Opera House. NOW lne
company is re-established on what appears 10 %
perfectly firm financial footing. with the prospect
OF paying all It's debts In full and with Interest ana
that too In a short time, with the outlook OF sue
cess and profit at the Metropolitan. under a new
lease and with the further prospect that one OF RS
members will be In control Of another OF the great
cperatic institutions OF the world, to the manifest
advantage OF the New-York company
II appears to be settled that Maurice Grau IL to
be the manager OF the opera at Covent Garden
London Some hint OF this has already been con-
yeyed In these columns This condition OF things
has been brought about most unexpectedly by the
death OF Sir Augustus Harris Sir Augustus mad
been in charge OF the opera at Covent Garden for
some eight years and his death left no canddate IN
sight In England for the post OF director OF the
great London opera house. A few days after MS
death an offer was made to Maurice Grau VINO was
then and Is still IN Europe, to take the management
OF the house. The plans for the Reorganization OK
Abbey echoeffel & Grau were then pending ana py
the terms Of the agreement that had Deen drawn
IND between Messrs. Abbey. Schoefei Grau ana
their creditors who we're TO become holders OF pre-
ferred stock In the new company the managers
could not engage In any operate enterprises otner
than those OF the corporation for the peoo OF nVe
wears In this situation Mr.. Grau telegraphed 10
Edward Lau erbach who represents him here In mis-
absence, that he had received an offer OF Covent
Garden and asked him to ascertain what could be
done about II.
William steinway was the largest creditor OF the
firm and the chairman OF the Committee on Re-
organization. Mr. Lauterbach went to MIN win
Graus message. and Mr. steinway told MN thS n ne
ad not how .e De sss 10
becoming the manager of Covent GARDEN, in spiSse
Of h Of and nt asu sna he
largest creditor he gave his consent gladly and
he N had ns
yesterday. Mr.. steinway said: II am inclined to
m 1hnk 81 Ha cosn Garden would Scarcely
the terms o. the agreement anyway as Is nos IN
the c w Ms duties here on the " other
arrangement would be Of such obvious advantsge 20
necs sG" %ith ought ssd e have
Il carried out. Messrs Abbey and schoenel VIII not
ansy n xay
partner in charge CT the London opera-nSS q,
The London season begins just little while after the
season here Is over. There would be no in,e.-
ference
gage HE artists not for four or five months only a:
row but for seven eight. In that way he could
also get them often much better terms, and In
that way II would benefit the company here. It
would be a most gratifying thing for Mr.. Grau 10
American born in the city OF New-York and be-
cause he is emnently fitted for the position. He
speaks English, French, German, italian and Span
ish all as they his own language: he knows all
about the management Of opera, and he Is an ideal
impsessario.'
Mr. Stenway said that the question Of Mr., Grau's
accepting the offer had not been formally laid
before the directo OF the corporation but chat
IL possibly would be at a meeting to be ned this
morning at the Metropolitan Opera House. The new
company was incorporated Monday and the meet
ing of to-day IL for organization the election OF of-
GERS and general business.