The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-03-10
OPERA RECEIPTS over
A MILLION DOLLARS
Grau COmPany'S Income This
Season Unprecedented.
BIG SHARE FROM NEW YORK
Eleven Weeks in the Metropolis Furnish
Great Prodts to the Hanagement-Pe-
organization Is Planned Change to Be
Made at Expiration Ct Lease.

NEW YORK. March 1O.-Amcrica.
wanting the best things in the world. is
willing 90 pay for them. Demonstration
is found in the history OF the Grau Opera
Company this season. for il has partakcn
largely Of the prosperity OF the country.
Mr. Maurice Grau does not wish to give
figures. but a conservative estimate made
yesterday by one in position to tell
was that the receipts of the season Of
twenty-siN weeks will amount to more
than $500 Gee
By 100000 this exceeds the receipts Of
the last season. with only two weeks
more time altogether. and six weeks less
time in the metropolis. It is an average
OF more than $4,000 a week, with posi-
bilities Of a stnl greater average when
the full returns come in from Boston.
Philadelphia, Pittsburg. and Chicago.
The part New York played in making
this total is signalized by the fact that
Mr.. Grau has decided that eleven weeks
is too little 10 give 20 this city, and has
decided to make the next season here sew
enteen weeks.
He did not have certainty or financial
success, in fact. until he brought the
company into New York. In the begin
ming OF the season Albany. Syracuse, Buff
falo, Montreal. and Toronto did not give
the announcement expected. and it was
not until the company began the Southern
tour that profits were in sight.
Improvement Continued.
The Improvement. began then. cont'n-
ued, and despls the illness Of most Of
his Drima donnas the Pacific Coast gave
a warm reception 10 Mr. Crau's singers
Though the continued iU-fortune -r0ubied
him On Tire way back he was able to
come into New York with a comfortable
margin.
But New York did ret show warmth
Immediately after the opening here. and
there was some fear that the season was
not 20 be a brilliant one. After two weeks
Of something approaching Indifference,
however, there came wave OF enthusI-
asm that continued TO the end. Whereas
last season there were frequent occasions
when many seats were TO be had for vari-
Gus performances. that was the rule very
seldom after the first three weeks this
year.
Toward tha enI interest had grown TO
such an extent that persons seeking
seats were turned away from the door
almost every night after the house had
been sold % its capacity. On the last
night Of the opera. for the first time I'm
the history Of the Metropolitan. persons
who had come long distance 20 re
present. were unable 60 buy even stand
ing room at q premium
no Figures on Gala Night.
Practically all the operas presented by
Mr. Grau were successful 40 figures can
De had on the gala performance 70 Prince
Henry. but the profits we're large. One Of
the surprises Of the season was the pat
rouage Of the Wagner cycle. There had
been many assertions that the taste for
Wagner had lesssned. and that there
would be Indifferent support OF such a
cycle The attendance az all the "Riag"
performances. however. was in accor
with that at the ether operas.
Il Is evident from the figures given Of
receipts that a handsome dividend will be
declared by the Grau company at the end
q the season. No dividend was declared
last season. but as the company was also
interested IN the Bernhard tour 70 IS
not certain IlaL LLe opera was entirely
accountable for that Il can be said
safely. however. that there was no loss
on that season
Expense vii! not be heavier this season
than last 30 Is understood. While Nine
Calyc NJ. Alvarez. and Signor de march,
have been added to the company. Nine.
MelGa. NJ Edouard de Reszke and NJ
Plancon are absent. Otherwise there has
been nothing except the gala performance
TO increase this account.
Company to Be Reorganized.
Tt will be bit Of news IN the operate
world by the way. that al the end Of the
next season the Grau Opera Company.
which has placed opera on sound basis.
viii go out Of existence. The lease On
The Metropolitan viii expire at that time
Mr.. Grau was asked yesterday whether
the company would be continued. He said
it would not in its present form. but
that a reorganization Of some kind would
be effected. What It's nature would be has
not been determined yet. ne declared
L is known that Mr. Grau has been in
consultation recently with prominent
men VINO are Interested in the success Of
The opera and that important plans have
been discussed for new organization.
IL IS possible that when a new manage
ment is effected that there will be some
important changes in methods relating 10
road tours and that New York will be
made the chief and aim Of the manage
ment.