The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-24
ARTISTS AND THEIR PRICES.
Secretary JOhnsOn's Comments OF
Them-Season Ticket Plan.


Them-Season Ticket Plan.
Secretary o. r. Johnson, of the festival
directors, whose work has been so valuable
in the festival organization since the very
beginning, was asked last night for an ex-
preston regarding the festival and the fu-
ture outlook. Said he:
1.-THE directors feel particularly pleased
over the great artistic success OF the teStl-
val, and the general recognition OF It by the
critics and discriminating public. The con-
certs were short and varied the sololsts
satisfactory and the orchestra entirely ade-
quate But the great success was achieved
by the chorus. Mr.. Van der Stucken is
master of music, one of the few really
great directors and conductors or the world:
He is a vigorous task master, ana worked
the chorus very hard, but the ladies and
gentlemen who compose 1t were Just as
much in earnest and enthusiastic as he,
and the result was by far the best chorus
singing ever heard in Indianapolis. The
engagement of Mr.. Van der Stucken has
world generally that could probably rot
have been attained in any other way. He
has made the Indianapolis festival really
great festival
'iThe festival very nearly paid it's ex-
penses, unusually high this year, which is
gratifying showing. 1t has lost nearly
every year since 1890, with one exception.
In 1880 the guarantors We're assessed IS per
cent. In 1891 the loss was 1897 and the as
seSSment IS per cent. In 1892 the loss (S6l0)
was paid by the directors. In 1898 the loss
was 81, $50 for which there was an assess
ment of IS per cent. In 1894 the deficit of $16
was made good by the directors. In 1898 the
festival made a. profit and last year it lost
So 500, necessitating an assessment OF 90 per
cent.
criticised for engaging great prima donnaS
at high prices, and there is justice in the
criticism from a purely artistic standpoint.
But we have to look after the financial end
of it, IL the experience of the last few
years has proved beyond controversy, one
thing, it is that whenever we get one OF the
old fav Gil
she makes the festival financial success,
and when we do not have such a star the
festival IS financial failure, som " IN t DIS
night Eames drew $3,372 and Melba $3619
Saturday night Calve drew more money
Indianapolis-$4 222, exclusive of the season
tickets. The sale of the latter was the
greatest we ever had, and, taken in its en-
tirety, it is perfectly safe to say that CalVe
drew 5000, more than half the total re-
ceipts. \ Without her we would probably
have SAVED $1,000 in the expense account
but it is as sure as such things can be that
the total receipts would not have been 81 900
and we would have had heavy loss. With
these things in view, is IT any wonder that
the directors want big stars?
The fact is, and there IS no use disguis-
ing it. that choral and orchestral works, no
matter how we'll they may be rendered, do
not draw large. audiences IN indianapolis.
We are improving q little year by year in
this respect, but the growth Is slow, very
slow. / think the great work or the chorus
last week viii help 1t along. but ii cannot
be depended upon to make great box office
receipts.
THE festival directors would like to do
away with the stars and make the works
and the chorus the thing, but they do not
dare to do it yet. What is the outlook We
practically have had all the great singers
of the world except the De Reszkes, who
have heretofore refused to sing outside or
opera Unless some new plan is adopted
the festival next year is almost certain TO
show q loss. There is only one solution of
the problem that l can think of. Do away
with the guarantee fund entirely and fol-
low the Cincinnati plan. If we could get
subscriptions for l 600 or 1000 season tickets
months In advance of the festival, we could
reduce their price and also the prices for
single concerts, and still not be afraid of
financial failure. The festival should be
popular one in every way and we would
like to put the prices down. so that every