Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-11-15
MASCAGW AND MS
BOSTON TROUBLES.
,nnnnnr

uuuuuln1Huuuuru INSTRUMENTATION
Boston, Mass. Wednesday, Nov. g.
Slgnor Mascagnl and his Italian opera
company have landed upon the rocks in
Boston and ltaly's great composer is
here without manager, with a COM
pany Of 100 people, many of whom claim
they have not enough money TO buy
breakfast in the morning. The end came
tonight after a series OF disasters since
the arrival Of the company in this city
last Sunday evening, and Signor Mas
cagnis opera William Ratcliff," an
nnounced for tonight, still awaits its
first production In America.
The Mascagni venture has been a
financial failure, and 1t is stated that
Messrs. Mittenthall Brothers and Kron-
berg are up to the present time about
100000 to the bad on account Of 1t.
The different versions of the situation
vary widely. The Mittenthal Brothers
say that the members Of the company
are indebted to them for an amount
said to be s22 600 The musicians, who
seem to be the leaders in the trouble
declare that the firm owes them for
salary,
The Italians came to America on
contract which provided that they
should be paid ten days in advance.
Slgnor Mascagni signing a contract
very similar to the others. He was TO
receive SEQ 600 for the tour, $4,000 Of
which his managers say was paid be-
fore he left Italy and other payments
have been made since.
The managers further say that tr0u-
BILE with the company has made so
much uncertainty that they are unwlll-
ing TO take any more risk while the
company is still in their debt, having
had ten DAYS advance pay, for which
no return has been given.
The real trouble began last evening,
when Iris was the attraction. a fair
sized audience was kept waiting until
after o'clock while the managers and
the company fought out their differ
euces behind the curtain. Matters were
adjusted temporarily, and the perform
ance was given. Hostilities We're re-
newed chs morning and continued
hundred persons paid for tickets to hear
"Cavelleria Rusticana'
Counsel had been engaged by both
sides, but failed TO solve the lnnumer-
able problems. Excited conferences
were going on In all parts Of the thea
ter shortly after three o'clock when Mr..
A. l.. Wilbur. one Of the lessees Of the
music hall, appeared. There was about
81 200 IN the box office, and after he had
learned something Of the situation Mr.
Wilbur called attention to that fact.
The musicians refused 10 play unless
they were paid, and Mr.. Wilbur became
angry.
III that curtain doesn't go up" he
declared, "inslde Of ten minutes I'll
have the whole lot Of you thrown into
the street"
There was rush for the stage and
orchestra pit and an excellent perform
ance was given.
Then the fight al the box Office was
resumed, and was stlll going on when
the audience began TO arrive for the
evening performance.
Siguor Mascagni did not put In an APP
pearance and Mr.. Aubrey Mttenthal.
from the stage, briefly explained the
situation and the audience departed
Signor Mascagni stayed In his room
at the Touraine all the evening. and, 1t
is said. refused TO see his managers.
Il am very sorry, very sorry" he said
TO one Of his friends. that matters have
turned out So When We go back to
Italy we shall not be In a position 10 say
nice things about America"
The members OF the company want 10
reorganike Il under his direction. He
has himself expressed the hope Of find
ing manager.
The company Is booked for Portland,
Me, tomorrow night and for Worces-
ter, Mass, the next evening. II does not
seem possible now, however, that these
engagements viii be kept.
A sacred concert announced here for
Sunday evening has been declared on.
the lessees Of the theater announcing
that they VIII put on vaudeville instead.
Boston, Mass. Thursday Nov g.
Signor Mascagni and the members OF
his opera company are still here and no
one Is able 10 say exactly what they
are going to do. The only positive
statement made by anybody concerned
is that OF the Mittenthal brothers that
they are through with the whole bus
mess.