New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-14

the meeting We're C. G. Haven, the president;
George f. Baker, George s. Bowdon Adrian Ise-
lin, A. d. Juliard. William c. Whitney and II.
Nick. Twombly. After the meeting the following
official announcement made:
The directors of the Metropolitan Opera and Real
interview With Mr. Maurice Grau and the Messrs
DE Reszke and others. Mr. Grau notified the Board
for the next up the standard of past years
and therefore declined either for himself or for his
The Board thereupon cai!ed a meeting Of the the
inst, to consider the question Of opera for the en-
suing season.
Mr. Grau had not looked so cheerful in weeks
as he did at the end of the meeting number
of newspaper men had been waiting to him
What are you going to do next winter one
of them asked.
Get rest. I suppose" said Mr.. Grau
land take my meals regularly.
You look as happy" some one said, las If
you were coming back to manage opera again"
no OPERA COMPANY on HIS HANDS.
Il am happy" Mr.. Grau said. lat having no
opera company on my hands.
Shall you remain in Europe all next season."
Il cannot tell yet; am glad enough to get
through this season. without botherins about
next season..
"Will the corporation of Abbey, schoeffel G.
Grau continue to exist?
"Of course it will: il still has business 10
carry on 1t has the theatre in Boston"
Mr.. Graz showed a disposition to shed no
light at all on the future of opera in New-1orK
and to take the most cheerful View of his in
ability to throw any. Put aren't you sorry"
he was asked at last that this is the last i'm
portant interview Of the season.
81 don't think 1t is the last" said Mr.. Grau
and he smiled more than
The understanding up 10 the time Of the meet
ing yesterday was that if the De Reszkes could
be induced 10 come back to America next sea-
son, Mr. Grau could also be induced to come
back and be the director The De Reszkes re-
manned at the meeting for only a few minutes,
and the presumption is that they were hrm III
their resolve to remain in Europe all next WIN
ter. They would not say anything about IL
afterward. II is reported that they Will travei
on the Continent and sing in various places.
They have received especially good oilers Aoi"
Berlin and St. Petersburg. .
The whole trouble was that singers couiu ny
be obtained for the Metropolitan-that Is, not ths
singers that were wanted. The DE Reszkes Woulu
not come to begin with; Nine. Calve wouio hot
come: Nine. Media says that she has not sishea
any contract for next season. but she is peiieNen
TO be secure for the Damrosch company; NINE.
Eames was scarcely to be depended on. Decaus-
of her recent ill-health. Mr.. Grau felt that ne
could not possibly fill the places OF all these
artists: he did not wish to give opera OF sor.
the New-York public has learned to expect OF
him. and so he decided on the course that he mas
pursued. If he had been willing TO undertake
The direction of the opera for another year there
would have been no lack of money FOR his back
ing He has plenty Of friends who believe III ms
ability and are willing to stake money on IT, put
fhe artists were not in sight, and there the mat
ter ended 80 ,,., mo,o,
statement was prompt 10 ma o1 1bnr niacad
on record as ga wing that he declined. either Tor
himself for his corporation, to renew tne iease
Of the opera house, but That ne was hot pla. .s
on record as saying that he would not accept the
position of director Of the opera II some one else
should see fit TO form company lease tne mouse
and ask him to take that position HoWeVer:
Mr. Grau was heard to say yesterday mat ne uio
not expect TO be a manager OF opera IN New
York next season under any conditions so that
such hair-splittng as this only SHOWS what inisnt
happen. not what is IN the slightest ueS'ee "h'''
TO happen
VARIOUS RUMORs AFLOAT.
Al sorte ~ r,,mors are anoat as to what is
likely 70 occur at the opera house next winter.
ranging from the more less likely to the wildly
fantastic 1t is rumored that the directors OF
tba Onera and Real Estate Company viii give
onnra themselves though Mr.. Haven said the
other dav that they would not do so under any
circumstances II has been said that Anton
Soidl would be the director next year III WAS
limited Yesterday that refuge In German opera
voula he the best hope of safety as there are
many admirers of the German school who would
give support to the season, while II would be
Homeless for anybody TO Try to rival the iast Few
seaeons OF Italian and French opera. 1t has also
heen declared that Mir. Grau would come back
and take charge Of the opera the season after
next. OF course, Walter Damrosch mas been
,nentlnned as director for next scasoh-anu 20 on
Tberc is 10 he a meeting Of the directors OF
-. cchoeCfel a. Gr0u tomorrow, and one OF
the stockholders or me ope'a III" ''o"' ''a'e
t,.rif'