New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-02
THE OPERA sEASON IN BOSTON.

pos.on Feb (SpeciaD-The approaching opera
season at the Mechanics Building. Notwithstanding
the unfitness of the house fer such performances.
PROMISES TO be the most successful, financially. in
years The complaint made last season by the
season ticket holders. unjust though il was so far
ms Abbey & Grau were concerned, has resulted this
year in the sale of the tickets at auction. the SELL
ing price being in addition to the regular box office
price for the The premiums have thus
given to the managers a good sum above other
wears and at the same time have enabled wealthy
people to buy their seats easily, without standing
IN line or hiring a substitute stand there The
difference in price has not caused any perceptble
falling off In the demand. and In fact the sale has
been larger than last year The cry about specu-
lators has ceased. everything was done openly
and above board. The trouble last year was really
not due 10 the management but rather to the sick
noss of stars The season was supposed to cover
twelve performances only and when the manage
nent announced matinees they were regarded as
extra performances There were so many failures
ON the part Of the principals to sing at the regular
performances that season ticket holders objected
10 the management putting in the best stars In the
extra performances and turning the season ticket
he managers might have done differently or not.
they were unquestionably an unhappy Iot; 0W!he
the last moment. and searching all over the city
TO find a substitute for some sick star rms nap
ncncd so frequently that the entire business became
demorazed, and no one knew whether the opera
he had paid to would be given until ne arrived
Mt
nosing the singers TO the sudden changes OF climate
as was done last year by bringing them from the
South to the North on short notice II Is probapie
that this will result satisfactorily TO pubhc
and managers ,, A..
The coming Of the opera again emphasizes the
need In Boston Of an opera house where grand
opera can be given under comfortable conditions
Abbey Schoeffel & Grau have made overtures 10
the owners of the Mechanics Building with the
view OF Transforming that big hall into semblance
of an opera house, but yet nothing has come oil
it, In the time the public hear the singers
in hall where it is impossible to produce salts,
factory results. where the singers are compelled
10 all their lung power to be heard by the back
rows and where even the occupants of front rows
lose the effect OF the quieter passages. Boston.
with all her theatres has not respectable hall
where musical performances can be given. Old
Music Hall Is miserable place entirely inadequate
for the purpose for which II originally in
tended. and where one is exposed to pneumonia
every time he ventures within its miserable
draughty walls The attempt year ago to raise
money to build suitable opera house or concert
hall fell through and the Symphony concerts con-
tnue In the Old Music Hall. where IL there should
ever be fire or a panic loss Of life would be in
evitabe. owing to the bad construction Of the stair
cases leading Z the balconies.