New-York tribune., 1901-02-27
OPERA FOR NEXT SEASON.
CURIOUS REPORTS AND sPECULATTONs
ABOUT WHAT MAY RE AID WHAT
MAY NOT BE

The people who know all about opera and most
other things have been I'm state Of almost main
ful excitement lately 70 whether there is likely
10 he opera at all at the Metropolitan next season
and. the arthmetics used 10 say "Tf 50 now
much" Nine. Melba made an announcement the
other day to the effect that she was going 10
Australia next season. and that she did not much
think there would he any opera f-re She did
not put the word consequently" between these
two clauses but It sounded as If II was meant 10
go there No great alarm was expressed over this
gloomy prediction the part Of the priraa donna
but from one source or another. and IN one way
and another. the Impression has got around that
there viii not be, or at least that there may be-
any opera next season. variation is the rumor
tnat there Will he opera, but not much of t-say
ten weeks and with 4 small company
The only person in town connected in any way
with opera who IS not ashamed 10 say tna- he
is rather weary Of questions the subject but
he still smiles when they asked and says that
nothing has been decided; that an artist Is vet
engaged and that it is TOO for anything to
be known by anybody. Mr. Grau does not DENY that
he himself should he very well pleased if there were
10 he no next year, and he does deny that
II might he good thing from business point of
view-that is say from the business point Of view
OF the Maurice Grau Opera COMPANY There can he
doubt that If New-York were 10 go TO bed with
its opera winter il would wake up with
the healthier appetite In the autumn Of 1902
But preferring to give no opera and giving no
House IS owned by the Metropolitan Opera and
Real Estate Company, and II is leased by that com
pany the Maurice Grau Opera COMPANY The
present lease has two years run after the
close OF the present and the contract which
goes with il demands opera season of hfteen
weeks each winter. Therefore the matter of opera
opera IS not altogether one Of choice with
Mr.. Grau. The side Of the Opera and Real Estate
Company was expressed by one Of its directors who
said We have a good thing Why should We give
II up Why. indeed II the company wants opera
Mr.. Grau is under bonds give II; IL II wants It's
fun hfteen weeks Of opera Mr. Grau : bound to
give that. II Mr. Grm desires. when the time
comes. 10 modify his usual plan scale of an
and Real Estate Company. Of course ne can do il
In me mean time. opera in the Metropoltan next
winter does not seem quite sure as the taxes on
The opera company has been meeting lately with
some OF its old SoTr0Ws account Of the ailments
Of its members Miss Susan Strong was suddenly
unable 10 appear as tricka in ''Das Rheingold' on
Monday night, and her place taken by Nine
Moran-Olden; Miss FRITZ Scheff had an attack of
grip and an apology was made for her inability to
appear at her best. Tristan and Isolde" was an
nounced 70 be given in Philadelphia last night. but
Jean de ResZke did not feel ike riskng Journey
and the part. after his sickness and the
bill was changed 10 La Tosca." Then NJ. Cremon-
ini was taken sick and the performance was given
up altogether. II there are no more casualties two
performances VIII be given In Philadelphia to-rnor-
row 10 make up for the disappointment