Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1900-03-30
GRANDOPERAlN IN ENGLISH
New Experiment to Be Made In
New York.
LATEST MOVE OF MAURICE GRAU.
Metropolitan Opera House VIII Have
and Henry w. saysge-tn Enlarged
Chorus and an Orchestra of Forty
Pieces Maintained as Fixtures

Chorus and an Orchestra of Forty
Pieces Maintained as Fixtures.
Grand opera in English AT the Metro
politan Opera House next season Is
assured, says the New York Times.
This arrangement was brought about
through a contract which was signed
recently by Maurice Grau AMI Henry
W. Savage of the Castle Square Opera
company, after negotiations which
were in progress for fortnight.
The agreement is for Il term Of
years. and company is now in proc
eSs uf formation to he known aS the
Metropolitan English Opera company.
Of which Mr.. Grau and Mr.. Savage
will the managing directors, with
Frank W. Sanger as member OF the
board of directors.
The present plan is to have the sea.
son begin about the LIST Of October and
continue until Dec 10, after which the
entire organization will vacate the
opera house for the Maurice Grau
Opera company, which will then begin
the regular season Of Italian, French
and German opera. The English com
pany will visit the principal cities and
return to New York in Easter week for
Il spring season. which will continue
throughout April and May. Six even
inv narfnpInannnS will ha uiNnI VIII h
ulatinees on Wednesday and Saturday.
two or more operas constituting the
week 5 rcpertory.
Mr.. Savage, in speaking about these
arrangements the other evening. said;
Il fully appreciate the fact that my
present company in this city is inetti-
cient in the chorus and orchestra. prin-
cipally due 10 the fact of the cXtraor-
dinarily cheap prices which prevail
and the lack of stage facilities, which
instance. But. through this new ar
rangemcnt, all these deficiencies will
be overcome.
Furthermore, the Incorporating Of
this company will in no way interfere
with my present companies. now ap-
pearng with marked success in Chi
cago and st. Louis. My lease of the
American theater terminates next De
cember, and, while the plans for this
house are very undecided, there posi-
lively will be no operate productions
offered. Whether shall devote it To
dramatic Or light musical pieces has
not as yet been considered
"Regarding the English company for
next season, ii Is somewhat early 10
announce any names, but negotiations
are now in progress with-singers iden-
titled with the American and European
operate stage who are best equipped
to appear in English opera in an artis'
tic manner. The chorus will number
90 youthful, we'll schoolcd voices, large.
ly drawn from my present companies
and the American chorus Of the pres
ent Maurice Grau Opera company. The
orchestra will comprise 40 Of the best
obtainable musicians under n thor
oughly competent direction, the mum
Der to be increased when the perform
ance requires it,"
Maurice Grau said the other day tina,
it had been his desire for a long time
to esta blish competent English opera
company in the Metropolitan Opera
House and thereby make it absolutely
the home In New York city for botl
English and foreign operate music
and that he saw no reason why Opera
in English should not be as successful
as in other tongues. His plan eventual
ly is to have tire Maurice Grau Opera
company become a permanent organi
zation in New York city, as he full!
appreciates that the tours which have
heretofore been given preliminary t(
the regular season in New York ac
injuriously in respect to the leading
members of his company.
This permanency of the compan!
may not come for several seasons, a:
the plans for next year will not per
NIT it, contracts having already beeI
made for out Of town performances
Mr.. Grau expects that the season o
English opera in competent hands vii
undoubtedly prove successful. Whit
there are several members of his pres
ent company who have been leadin:
singers in English opera companie
abroad and who may possibly sin!
with the new organization, none la
thus far been approached. Ncverthe
less it is not unlikely that they will b.
heard.
".rhe consummation Of this deal,
said Mr.. Grau, has been held bacl
for several days. while we waited TO
the cooperation and sanction of til
directors Of the Metropolitan and Rea
Estate company, who represent tn
stockholders. At n recent meeting o
these directors they decided TO acccp
the plans as submitted by myself AM
Mr. Savage, and the contract was con
summated."
1t was also decided at this meetin
that the present holders of the porter
boxes would retain their boxes for til
Monday evening performances of eac
week during the English opera season
The strong desire Of Mr.. Grau to Civ
English opera at the Metropolitan,
practicable, Mr. Savage's success bot
In New York and throughout the cour
try, the progressive young singers Q
the Castle Square forces and til
steady growth among a large porto
of the public Of sentiment in fave
of opera in English should certainly a
go toward making the enterprise su,
cess, 1t is believed.
1t is intended to make the prices {
reserved seats range from % cents t
g.. with boxes at from 81 to $40,