New-York tribune., 1901-04-07
GOSSIP OF THE BOROTGH

fire inadequacy of Brooklyn theatres and opera
houses for the proper staging Of grand opera has
long been a subject of general knowledge An in
stance of this a of much amusement to
the audience which gathered weeks ago 10
listen the performance OF ''Lohengrin" in the
Academy Of Music. The scene OF 'Lohengrin" is
laid in the ninth century. When the curtain went
up the chamber scene in the third act the at
rention Of the audience was at once drawn to
elaborate frieze part Of which contained an ex-
Delaware This incongruty was so glaring that for
some IL spoiled the entire scene.
1t has been suggested that the lack of proper
staging is in a the cause of the failure of
grand opera performances In Brooklyn to receive
adequate support Brooklynites would rather go
the Metropolitan Opera House and pay higher
prices in order near opera which is adequately
staged One of the directors Of the Seidl Society,
under the auspices of which the perform
ance Of "Lonengrin" was given. is authority for
the statement mat 500 was lost by the society In
best in grand opera
The prevalent impression that the best produc-
tions cannot be properly staged in the Academy of
Music probably responsible for the compare
lively small audiences at The three performances
of Bernhard and Coquelin last week This too. in
spite of the fact THAI all OF the stage settings and
properties Of the company were brought over from
Manhattan. Whereas tickets for the Manhatn
performances We're sold at premium. at no time
was there extraordinary line IN front r OF the
vacant seats at al Of the performances
An apt Illustration Of the general habit OF pubic
sneakers 10 talk too long furnished on Tues
day evening al the Brooklyn Academy Of Music, at
the mass meeting to protest against legislation de-
priving Brooklyn of the control OF her public
schools Bret-ty on that occasion would have been
partfcul2rly cornmendable. there were more than
a dozen speakers. and, moreover, il had been an
nounced that only ten minutes would be allowed TO
each one. And yet only few speakers observed
the time limit and several talked If they were
The only takers OF the evening Several addresses
would each have taken up most OF a IrlDuhe toi-
umn.
One Of the invited speakers could not be present
but instead wrote letter of regret in which he
set forth his views the situation to the extent
OF nearly half OF a Tribune column. The meeting
undoubtedly WAS called discuss question of
vital interest TO Brooklynites. but four hours of
solid speechEnaking proved a little too heavy for
many In the audience, greatly a. they had the is
sues Of the evening at heart. One two speakers
did make hrief remarks. but that may have been
due TO the fact. they declare. that they did
expect 20 be called upon TO talk
General Alfred Z. Barnes. and is losing no oppor-
his election he sailed for Europe and did not re-
ant-Colonel Brady has ably commanded the organ
ization and directly responsible for its trip to
Washington the time OF the Inauguration. On its
General Barness house. in Pierrepont-st on the
Heights and q mark OF respect To the absent
colonel the marching salute was given. The next
day a funny letter appeared In one Of the local