The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1901-12-15
MUSIC AND MUSICIANS.

Inc problem tnat always cOnifonls 'he
management OF the Metropolitan at the
opening Of the season il how to present
six prima donnas twice a week in five
operate performances. Every prima
donna has the assurance OF two appear
ances a week. Every one has her choice
OF a role or allows the management 10 select
from two or three the role In which she
shall make her first appearance, and they
all expect to sing twice.
As a mere matter Of mathematics, the
problem is staggering. The addition OF
the prima donna lemen increases MS
difficulties.
Sometimes the fates favor Mr.. Grau,
Two years ago Nine. Sembrich, exhausted
after a long tour. decided to wait for the
second week. This year Mile. Calve has
decided to do the same thing n the diff
Guilty is lessened TO some extent.
The original plan was to XII two birds
Ternina and Eames in "Die Walkure,
but the illness Of Ernest Van Dyck put an
end TO that. He may not be able to sing
at all during the opening week. and as Al
bert Alvarez sailed only yesterday on La
Savoie, there will be little or no French
opera.
SO the arrangement Of the first week 9
repertoire is not the least arduous of the
impresario's duties, even when one oil the
prima donnas does accommodatinRly post
pone her temperance until the second
week.
The indication that Mr.. Grau
intends TO keep his threat TO give up opera
for good one year ron next May. when
the Maurice Grau Opera Company's lease
comes TO an end, is his decision not 20 at
tempt a tour of the West next year. Mr..
Grau made this declaration first as soon
az he reached San Francisco.
IL was thought that the profits Of the
company there might have made the hard
ships Of travel seem slighter. But the i'm
In no case will he undertake the long road
tour,
NJ. Van Dyck is quite Ill, not with any
throat trouble. but as the result Of his ex-
periences in the dining rooms Of Western
hotels. Nine. Eames was too Ill TO sing
in Kansas City and 80 was Miss ~Sandorson.
Mile. Calve is improving in Florida and
Mines Sembrich, Teruina and Gadski are
in good health up TO the latest accounts.
There has been no i'll health among the
men singers, and the conductors are In
their customarily fit condition. So by a
week from Monday night the singers may
all have recovered their health and spirits
so completely that retirement for their
impresario will seem very far of in the
future.
The record season on the Pacific coast
was formerly that given by Adelina Patti.
under the direction Of Abbey q Grau. The
profits of that enterprise were larger than
those of any company that went to the
West before or since until the present year.
The Maurice Grau Opera Company ex-
ceeded even these profits. which are said
To nave oun to more than $50. 600.
o., .t,L L-.l
engagements is authority for this state
ment.
The present subscription shows the
substantial basis on which opera rests here
to-day, Several years & the advance
subscription amounted 10 5000 for every
representation. That was thought phe-
and was unprecedented.
This year when the season IL likely TO be
al least two weeks shorter than ever before.
AZ the prospects of a supplementary season
depend On various matters that cannot he
settled until the regular season is well
under way, the subscription assures 70
the management s6,cO0. No other city in
the world ever supported opera so literally.
Chopin's songs are sometimes heard at
the prevailing song r~ecitals. but more fire.
uuently the songs mado from the com
poser's piano music are used by performers
becau-s they are more familiar This
plan was followed by the Italian
Orehca. who lately wrote an opera founded
on Chopin'= life. II VA sung NJ Milan the
other day with no particular SUCCESS.
The Polish onIpu RS music Was tran
srrIb.d for the Noio. and some II II wa.
mad. into ChoTus.s with only n thread 81
original composition 10 hold u together.
hi, was supplied 10y the composer Who
found he inspiration IN th" Polish COM
pur"Is life.
IT, as not prevented ~ the know ledge
be- wa dealhg viii, "a modern charac-
ter from arranging . iuurt prcpuet"rotI-
ubr,ttl which reveals CHOPIN M some -
his real adventures and iu many othcIs too
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