The age-herald., 1901-08-03
GRAU OPERA STARS
 WILL SING HERE
lessees of the Auditorium Se- cure Them for One
 Performance

When S. Kronberg, advance representa- tive of the Maurice Grau Opera Company, opened correspondence with certain mu- sical leaders of Birmingham several weeks ago with a view to giving a one night performance in this city the latter part of October the matter was discussed with much interest, and the opinion in amusement circles seemed practically unanimous that the venture would te financially successful. notwithstanding the fact that the cost would be s5o00. That amount. 1t was statod, would have to be guaranteed before Birmingham could be booked.
 No organized effort was made to raise the guarantee, but business men and mu- sic lovers In general would be ready 1t was thought to write their names for liberal sums. Only ten days ago a busi- ness man prominent in club circles in- formed an Age-Herald reporter that he would be one of five to guarantee 5000, and he said he felt confident that he could pick out the other four who would make up the necessary $5000.
 Graus Opera Company has never made Southern tour, but everybody in Bir- mingham is familiar with its reputation, of course, and the mere announcement of its appearance here would mean a crowd ed house. As business proposition, then, nothing would seem safer than to guar antee it for $5000.
 But the problem of securing this famous attraction has been simplified and the citi- zens will not be asked to sign a guarantee list. Boyle & Edwards, the new lessees and managers of the Auditorium announce that they have secured the Grau Company. or per- formance of either Lohengrin or Faust with the following great singers, Sem brich, Schumann Heink, DeReszke Godski, Plancon, Sanderson, Suzanne Adams Carrie Brideweil and others. They will start subscription sale of seats within a few days and all they ask is that the public come forward promptly and subscribe for tickets. Owing to the large seating capacity of the Auditorium Boyle & Edwards will give the Birmingham amusement-goers the advantage of secur. ing the best orchestra and balcony seats for $4 instead of s5, which will be the price In all Southern cities. The rear seats downstairs and in the balcony will be sold at B. The gallery seats will be $2 and $1 In order to avoid speculation, not more than ten seats will be sold to one person unless 1t be to representatives of musical societies or thoroughly responsible parties The management announces that out of town orders will be given every consider ation. If the subscription sale Is large but does not reach the 5000 mark Boyle & Edwards will assume the balance. Grau will not come unless he is secured in the sum named.
 Nashville has guaranteed $l0,000 for two | nights. Persons acquainted with the opera situation regard the price as moder- ate; certainly far from exhorbitant, for Grau agrees to give the same high class performances on this tour that he gives at the Metropolitan opera house in New York. He not only brings his great stars. but a chorus of one hundred and thirty or forty and an orchestra of between forty-five and fifty. He also carries his own scenery.
 Birmingham has many strong musical and dramatic attractions during the sea- son, but it goes without saying that the Grau Company will overshadow all of them. It is reasonable to predict $6,000 house.