New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-08
UNCERTAINTIES or OPERA.
ABUNDANT RUMORS AND REPORTS BUT
LITTLE SOLID FACT ABOUT
NEXT SEASON

meeting OF the directors OF Abbey, Schoefrel
Grau was held yesterday afternoon al the Metro
poltan Opera House. but at the end OF It the ques-
ton Of how and by whom the house 10 be run
next year seemed TO be nearer settlement than =:
was before All the direc ors present. namely
Robert Dunlap the president; John b. Schoeffel
Maurice Grau, Edward Lauterbach and Thomas p
Fowler besides George L. Rives the company's
counsel. Before the meeting q. O. Haven, the pres
dent Of the Metro politan Opera and Real Estate
Company. and william {. whitney had snort
conference with Mr.. Grau.
Nothing has been done in regard 10 plans FOR
next year" said Mr. Grau after the meeting
There ia to be a conference next Tuesday between
some OF the directors Of the Opera and Rca Estate
Company and myself the representative or Alb
hey Schoefel & Grau. and nothing VIII DE decided
till that time. But there Il no truth In any state
rnent that Abbey Schoeffel & Grau VIII 20 out Of
existence The company may decide 20; TO con-
tinue giving opera, but 1t Will not come TO an end
1t still has the fremont Theatre, In Boston And
you may be sure too. that the company - perfectly
solvent. There is no money In the treasury ou'
there are no debts The company has paA every
thing that II owes.
"As to the lease Of the Metropolitan Opera House.
that was all put in shape before the company went
away on its Western tour. The question Is whether
the company comply with the terms OF me
lease We might raise the money by borrowing
from our stockholders. who are our creditors or IN
other way
In answer to a question about the new company
which as has been limited, may be formed to con-
duct opera. with Mr. Grau as director. Mr.. Grau
said Il cannot say anything about that at pres
ent Ever since we started on the tour nave
been more anxious about getting 10 the end OF this
season than about beginning another one.
How would such arrangement as THAI -
affected" was asked. by the agreement entered
into when the present company was formed tnat
no one of the managing directors should engage "a
any other operate ventures than those oi Aopey'
Schoeffel & Grau. In the next five years!
LAS to that" said Mr.. Grau, 1t wouin 90 lot ms
creditors 10 decide but | do not think that they
my living. and must do that by managing opera
Mr.. Grau was asked whether he knew II tle -
with the Damrosch Opera Company next season.
II know nothing about that. he said. Nine.
Melba promised me that she would not MAKE any
contract for next season TIL saw her 1--we
telegraphed 10 her to-day 20 ask II n Il true tnat
she has promised 10 sing for Mr.. Damrosch As 70
the other singers the De Reszkes have tod me
that they will come next season. and so have some
OF the others. We have not made any CONTRACTS
with them as yet II is not at all likely that Nine.
and if the opera there is "A success Il will probably
mean the whole season.
Damrosch and Charles A. Ellis has formed part.
nership for the mana cement or opera led 70 IN.
MRe MeIba mas as Sr Els is her manager Mr
Damrosch refused yesterday either 10 confirm Or
deny this report. The services OF Nine Leh.
mann are also in doubt She Is under no contract
at present and she Will not make any till she gets
back to Europe. Mr. Damrosch does not expect g
make any important contracts for next season III
he reaches Berlin.
Mr. Damrosch and the most OF the company
which mas lust finished its season under his rec.
Lehmann and Marie Lehmann Rita Elbenschltz
hard Stehmann Augusta Vomar Heinrich Hob
bling and Paul kalisch viii go on the LAIN.