The sun., 1902-03-09
OPERA IN NEV YORK UNIQUE.
TWO POINTS ABOUT 1T sur
PRIsING TO FOREIGNERS.

one u the unequaIied Briiiiancy Of N
Audiences Tho other II the Hab
Of the Boxhoiders and Others Of Con
ing Late and Going Away Eari!
The brilliant aspect OF the audiences q
the Metropolitan Opera House impresse
every foreigner who comes here for tn
nrst time, and It Is always admitted ths
nowhere else IN the world Is there TO b
seen such display of wealth As the toilet
of the women offer,
II Ia not alone the famous parterro TO,
Of boxes, representing millions Of dollars
that forms this unusual exhibit. Tn
orchestra stalls. occupied by women II
costly costumes, decorated with jewel
nearly a. striking as those to be seen II
tho boxes, also furnish an unequalled dis
play. No visitor from Europe ever view
this sight without the candid admission
that Il Is not to be equslled anywhere IL
Europe
Tho Paris opara on some Of the subscrip
tion nights offers a brilliant sight, because
the theatre Is arohiteoturally and in point
Of decorations far superior to the Metro.
politan Opera House. But tho persona
display, II II may be 20 described, is moi
nearly as snowy, In spite OF the fact that the
women are Parisiennes.
In Berlin and Vienna the opera houses
are democratic places Of amusement 20
which all classes Of the people resort, and
save on some extra night, when the per-
formance is given in honor Of royalty or
for some other special purpose and only
members Of tho nobility or the army are
admitted, these theatres cannot present a
small part OF the spectacular beauty that
the famous horseshoe Of the Metropolitan
Possesses.
In Italy there Ia less attempt at dressing
among the women. and there Is, moreo YER.
no theatre 30 well suited to the display Of
whatever the boxes may have to exhibit In
the way Of beauty In dress OF feminine
charms.
Another feature Of the Metropolitan
Opera House never fails to interest persons
who see IL for the first time almost as much
Is the brilliancy Of the house. II especially
tmpresses foreigners.
Even those who are accust omed to visit
Covent Garden In London, which is also
an opera house especially for the fashionable
subscribers rather than .Tr for lovers Of opera,
formance exhibited by the occupants Of
tho parterre boxes, and, in a less degree, Of
the orchestra seats. Tho fact that the
at ockholders' boxes stand empty until the
opera is nearly half over, and are usually
vacated before the last act OF an opera
see Il for the first time.
have heard that the occupants Of the
parterre boxes came somewhat earlier at
The beginning Of the season. said young
man Of title who has been this year fire.
quent guest In the parterre boxes, but
n Il ba haan II 81 known
any Of the boxes to be occupied before
balf-past nine, and usually they are not all
filed until later.
AT the dinners I have attended there Is
never any hurry OF thought OF the fact
that the opera is going on. IL might as
interest felt by the persons who are to sit
IN he boxes
when was first invited to come to the
opera and sit in parterre box was In the
abit Of being on time. But soon found
hat to sit quite alone for an hour or more
was not what was expected OF mo or at all
customary.
Il am fond Of the music and like to hear
hat, SO now remain down In the orches-
,ra until see my hostess enter her box.
Then after minute or two go up to her.
we usually 60 so soon as the last act
begins. Therefore, even under theec cir
.umstanoes, am able to hear only part Of
he opera. Sometimes ] walt until my
hostess has gone and then listen to the rest
,f the work downstairs.
1T is amazing TO a foreigner this COM
plete indifference to the performance. and
what is still more remarkable is the time
hat Is usually selected for leaving the
opera house. l have never known any
woman TO give the word TO leave during
he intermission that comes before the last
lct,
THAT would seem to be the best time. as
hone Of the artists is then disturbed and the
public does not hear the noise that may be
made. But, in contrast TO every other
in the world the boxholders hero
wait until the act has begun and then
cave. whatever the artists may be doing
,n the stage.
i have heard that the artists are some
lines very much hurt when they see some
Il the boxes empty when they are just about
10 have their finest scenes. But that is
aid to happen only when they are strangers
here.
After a while they become accustomed
o the conduct of the persons who sit in
he parterre and know that they are likely
o come late and leave early II is only
turing their first seasons here that they
notice these peculiarities.
Surprising as this way OF treating the
,pera seems to persons other than the
New Workers concerned. II is even more
as regards the people who thus
,ome late and 60 early. Ono cannot enjoy
N opera without having heard it several
lines. From hearing only a little Of an
,pera no appreciation OF its merits can
,e obtained
II the stockholders boxes were moro
frequently occupied during the entire
,pera, their occupants would be less in
,lined 70 leave so early and arrive so late,
or they would learn TO know something
lesides parts Of -Lohengrin," Carmen
md Faust" and the middle parts at that.
And they would love the operas for their
,wn sakes and be anxious 70 hear them.
That is the state of affairs that exists In
Europe, even among the persona who oo-
upy the most exclusive boxes; and there
$ no reason why II should not be the same
here. The public here Is certainly Just
,s musical as the public abroad: Il needs
,nly 20 hear the operas enough TO become
familiar with them.