The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-02
A BANDA ROSSA STRIKE
THE ITALIAN PLAYERS REFUSE TO
GIVE CHICAGO CONCERT.
Another Dispute with ROsenfeld, Who
Bringing Them to This Country.

CHICAGO, Jan. 1.-The members of Ban
da Rosa struck again last night and Chi
cago did not hear the famous Italian play
ers. This is about the sixth time the Ital-
ians have struck on Resented since he
brought them over. When they arrived in
New York and found that 60 cents day
and board did not compare with American
musicians pay there was trouble. Finally
they were given dollar a day and after
repeated strikes their pay amounted up to
the princely wages of $3.50 a day for each
man. The band, fifty-four strong, under the
leadership of Maestro Eugenio Sorrentino
arrived from Indianapolis yesterday and
they decided on another strike. They an
nounced to Manager Carl Rosenfeld that
they would not play until sundry accounts
had been settled Mr.. Resented was firm.
He talked for half an hour and announced
In turn his ultimatum. Then the Italians
went away and the audience lined up to
get it's money back.
The band was billed to give five concerts,
one each day until Tuesday. Although the
musicians have struck it does not follow
that Chicago will not hear the band. Macs
tro Sorrentino proposes to start into bust
ness on his own account. He plans to give
first concert for charitable purposes at
some theater in this city. and then series
of concerts for the benefit of the players.
Under this arrangement his men hope to
have more spaghetti each day than they
have had in the past.
The cause of the strike was a dispute over
the amount of money due the company.
The band reached America in October, and
played first at the Metropolitan Opera
House in New York, where the members
soon struck and secured change in the
contract.
interpreter about the difficulty: I'VE made
a contract in Italy by which we were to re-
ceive $l42 concert, but were given 70 un-
derstand that living was very cheap IN TINS
country. We soon found that our expenses
would be so high as to absorb all our pay.
Then we struck and secured a new contract
by which we were to get SITS q concert.
This amount was paid US for some time
but while in Boston, we were induced to
give up our new contract on the plea mat II
was not legal because it was made en- cleo
ton day. We agreed to certain greater con-
cessions to Rosenfeld However, he kept
our contract in his possession and would
neither return it to us nor make a new one
At Cincinnati, ten days ago, he ordered our
pay to be stopped. Since then we have not
received cent. He claims we owe him for
the difference between the terms of the two
contracts namely, $33 a day. We shall not
play for him until he pays us our salary and
what is due us. We are not indebted to
him at all. Our tour has been so successful
that we can easily get all the engagements
we want, and we may go back over the
same route we nave lOllOWcu ettlu iidhS
plenty of money
Carl Resented is of the firm of Carl &
Theodore Rosenfeld, which is managing the
tour of the Banda Rosa Mr. Resented
said I'VE brought Mr. Sorrentino and his
band to this country for extended tour
and up to the present time have expended
more than $4,000 in making a reputation for
them. This evening he threatened us again
with strike if l did not pay him 81 900 as a
bonus and release him from an obligations
to us. That we refused to do, and asked
him to continue playing under his present
contract with US, as good reasons existed
why he should not do SO.
In case he refuses to play it is my per-
sonal opinion that he wishes to play under
his own or other management and thus
make from return engagements and summer
work, the money or profit which rightfully
should be ours. Should he attempt to do
this, will bring suit against him for
breach of contract and secure an injunction
and thus prevent him from playing at any
other place or under any other management.
We advanced, in Italy and here, over $1,000,
of which he still owes over 81 800 "
The Banda Rosa is foul zen wears old
and has made great name in Italy. 1t
carried off the main prizes III a competition
between sixty-four bands during the Column
bus celebration at Genoa in 1892. 1t has
toured Germany and Holland with success
The musicians are mainly natives of the
province of Capitanato, in southern italy.