New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-04
LONDON DRAMA.
MUNICIPAL OPERA AND THEATRE-A
FRENCH IDYLL WITH n DORSET
SHIRE sETTING-RELICS
OF THE KEANS.

London, June 20.
Municipal Socialism has made another az
vance IN England. The London County council
has received this week petition bearing many
prominent names N favor Of municipal ope'a
house supported by local taxation Inc peo-
TONERS assert that II will be possio'e ioi '"e
Council by an annual financial grant u "ou
crate amount. to establish PERMANENT opera
house, where music Of the best ciass can DC
brought within the reach OF the mass VI tue
people, where encouragement can oe o'eIeo 10
,,orro or,,s.s IN nursuc the highest paths Of
tbs,r rro,ossion and where the development OF
ro,,vs orsra,,c art can be promoted They cite
N. .xrsr,snce OF important Continental towns.
where II has been found practicable, at no great
COS, 70 the public excheauer. to provide for the
svstenatic representation Of the best class Of
opera. and they ask that measures may be
sdopted for the maintenance OF a municipal
opera house.
This petition has been produced from an influ-
entail committee. which has obtained powerful
support for ii. The Duke Of Westminster heads
the movement. and among the promoters are
Earl Spencer. Mr. Chamberlain. Mr.. Asquth,
Mr. John Morley. Sir John Gorst, Lord Charles
Beresford Lord Justice Chitty and the Attorney
General The petition is also signed by Sir
Henry lrNlUS, MIIlc MARY ANDERSON Oe navarro,
Sir Arthur Sullivan, Sir John Staner Sir Squire
Bancroft. Mr. Pnero. Mr.. Burnand. Sir w. B.
Richmond. Mr.. Sargent Mr.. Watts. Mr.. Onsiow
Ford. Sir Walter Besant, Mr.. J. NJ. Barrie Sir
Martin Conway, Mr.. George Meredith DR.. Conan
Doyle. Mr.. Frederic Harrison and many others
The weight OF so many prominent names Is felt
ct once, and the press is taking up the subject
with considerable vgor. The London County
seriously. 1t may appeal to Parliament for
powers which will enable it to try the interest
Ing experiment of municipal opera
The Continental preccdents, which are cited by
the petitioners. point to subventions for opera
than from local taxation. The analogles Of
artistic education in foreign capitals favor
national opera-house aided from the Imperial
Exchequer. precisely as the British Museum. the
National Gallery and other institutions of SINH
lar character sustained. There are in
stances. however. of municipal aid for opera,
especially in France The advocates Of this
project know how difficult It is to nduse a
sluggish Parliament and hidebound officials to
interest themselves in such work They have
applied TO the local legislators rather than to the
Imperial Parliament for assistance. and they
have displayed sound judgment. 1t is not easy
TO overcome the inertia of conservatism at
Westminster but at Spring Gardens the Pro-
gressive party is eagerly watching for oppor-
tunities for introducing Collectivist principles.
The project for a municipal opera-ho.s, con-
Quoted at the expense of the ratepayers for the
purpose Of bringing the musical masterpieces
within the reach Of the masses will appeal
strongly TO Radical politicians, who have been
advocating many other schemes Of municpaliza-
tion They will regard it entering wedge.
and will thank the distinguished patrons Of mu-
nicipal opera for facilitating the progress of
great many Colectivist projects. which are
now in a state Of arrested development
THE TREND TOWARD COLLECTIvISM
The social activities Of English and Scottish
towns have already disclosed marked trend
toward collectvsm in public education and
recreation. The principle has been generally
accepted outside London that 1t is an important
function Of municipal government to raise the
standard Of life among the masses and to sup
ply moral and educational environment which
will promote civic virtue and refinement. The
municipal reformers of Birmingham Glasgow.
Manchester and Liverpool have begun with
opening public pleasure grounds and parks. and
have ended by establishing municipal Libraries.
reading rooms art galleries and technical
schools An extra penny to the pound added
70 the local rates suflices to enable more than
xne great town 20 popularlze literature and art
for the benefit OF all classes Glasgow has re-
Gently taken another step in advance by open
Ing peoples palace similar to the great place
Of recreation In :he East End Of London. There
is large winter garden connected with the
Glasgow institution. and good music at mini
mum cost is provided nightly for the pleasure
OF the working population. A peoples palace
designed for the recreation anG education of the
masses is not far removed from a municipal
opera. where the musical education Of the public
can be systematically fostered 1t IL only an
other application of the coll.ctivist principle
that tn, evils OF poverty. ignorance and con-
gested population must be countcracted by all
the appointments Of art and civilizatioa. and