The Washington times., 1902-08-10
Mascadni to Visit This Country.

Aubrey Mittenthal, OF the firm of Nit
Italy with contracts under which Pietro
Mascagni, the famous italian composer.
is to come to this country in October
for series of productions of his own
operas.
1t took six weeks of constant negotia-
tion before the noted musician could be
induced to affix his name TO the agree
trent. Probably never before was such
difficulty encountered when managers
we're willing to pay almost any price.
He promised no less than four times to
sign, but on three occasions made new
demands at the last moment. When Mr.
Hittenthal was almost in despair, the
musician affixed his name to the con-
tract
Mr.. Mittenthal announces that besides
"Cavalleria Rusticana,' Iris and
'L'Amico Fritz" the Mascagnj company
will produce here his successful and
well-known opera, "Ratchcliffe, which.
though popular in Italy, has never been
heard in America.
The engagement will begin in the
Metropolitan Opera House. Wednesday
evening. October S. After four perform
ances and one concert there, the com
pany will go on tour extending across
the continent and covering a period OF
fifteen weeks.
This tour will be the most expensive
Italian opera engagement, considering
the number of works given, even under
taken in America. Mascagni will receive
the largest salary ever given coadr ct
or. $4,000 a week. Before the tIrtaln
can go up at the Metropolitan. the man
agement will have expended s125.o00.
.'Mascagni declares his operas have
never been given properly outside CT
Italv." SAYS Mr.. Mittenthal, 'and insists
upon having absolute control OF the pro-
ductions. That is one reason l had so
much trouble in getting him to sign
He insisted that he have the engaging OF
every singer and OF every player in the
orchestra. The representations here will
all be made under his direct super
vision He recognizes his fame is at
stake. and will guard its integrity care
fully. He will pick the singers and in
strumentalsts from among the greatest
musicians in Italy. Every bit OF the
scenery and all the costumes for the four
operas will be designed and constructed
in Italy under his immediate eye.
THE only concession he would make
was that his chorus should be selected
over here. Mr.. Kronber~ will begin Sc
lecting this at once, and it will be re-
hearsed six weeks before Mascagni and
the principals arrive. They will come
about October /. to give the composer
chance for a week of ensemble rehears-
ais at the Metropolitan.
THE managers OF the Pesaro Lyceum,
the famous music school at Rossini's
home. of which Mascagni is director.
came near blocking our deal. They re
fused positively to give him leave Of
absence. He did not want to throw up
this post. one OF the finest in Italy, but
he finally decided to do so.
Sachs. the Berlin impresario, was
responsible for some of his hesitancy.
Mascagni published our first cable offer.
and Sachs at once offered him better
terms. We had to bid against Sachs to
the end and went over his final offer.
Another reason Mascagni hesitated
was that he is afraid to cross the ocean.
He is in mortal fear of the waves. and
it took much TO persuade him he would
ever see home again. He particularly