New-York tribune., 1903-02-15


politan Opera and Real Estate Company gave
cut the following record from the minutes OF
the Eaeeting OF his company on Friday;
Resolved. That the executive committee be
d.rected 10 negotiate with Mr- Helnrlch Con
RED regarding the Metropolitan Opera House,
with power TO conclude a lease in case salts
factory terms can be arranged
Although no lease has yet been signed, nor
a-tusl agreement reached between the company
ou-nfng the house and Mr.. Conried. George 6
Haven informed Mr.. Conried that he was the
choice and yesterday said: There is no doubt
that M Conried viii offer Us terms that viii be
entirely satisfactory
M Conrled was elected by vote Of to .,
it is said. the minority OF the Metropolitan di-
rectors voting for Walter Damrosch- This led
&c a rumur. that last evening was practically
confirmed by several who are close TO those
most concerned. that Mr.. Conried will associate
M Dau7rosch with him in some way or other
in the direction of the opera either as con-
ductor or as an artistic director Mr. Conried s
lease VIII be for five years, which Viii, Of course
preclude the possibility of Mr.. Grau's return in
2 less time II is said that no one Of standing
could be found who would consent TO take the
lease for . shorter term
Mr Conried is hacked by several men OF prom
inence Last night he was SO flooded with tele-
with business that he was in no danger Of con-
tradicJion when he declared that his head y as
in R-hirI. and he didn't know where he vas
at" His plans he added were not Yet formed.
and he could not discuss them He did state,
however that probably a company similar TO the
Gran company would be formed, with him as
managing director TO negotiate the lease and
furnish the large guarantee that is demanded.
S150ee0. Jacob H Schiff, James H Hyde and
Thomas A Mcintyre viii be prominent direc-
Tors in this company, it is understood II the
similarity 10 the Grau company is carried out
il fun It viii be called the Heinrich Conried
opera Company.
What interests the COMMUNICATIONS in this
civ almost. more than Mr. Conried's new honor,
however is the future OF the Irving Place The
atre- Mr. Conried said yesterday that he could
not yet tell what would become Of that house,
but he would continue 70 direct 1t for the pres
enr. at any rate, and hoped that its future could
be assured. His pride in the well earned repu-
tati0n Of the theatre is great, and his devotion
10 IL bis friends feel confident, VIII not cease
now. Some step viii be taken 20 preserve It
The future Of the present staff Of conductors
and singers at the opera house is another
question that viii at once come up It may be
stated that Alfred Hertz the new German con-
ductcr. VIII be one Of the staff next season, and
that certain others, singers. including Anthes,
who hroks contract TO come here this winter as
he thought, for d term Of years. viii be treated
with every consideration Their claim, of
course * entirely a sentimental one, a clause
IN their contracts with Mr CIrau made the con-
tracts conditional on Mr GraU's tenure Of Of
ace but they viii be observed, far as pos
sibls
And for the quality OF opera" Mr. Con-
RED said last night Il shall do everything in
only Laar, M to the present
standard, which I might call contract standard,
but to raise il. The Metropolitan stage viii
5e reTnodelled next summer, I understand. ac-
co-ding 10 Z plan previously made with Nj.
Girau. at Z cost of between $4,000 and S1e0 600,
which VIII be one Of the first works done after
] take up the lease in June and every effort
VIII be made TO have the stage effects Of high
standard next year"
A well known theatrical manager who was
talked OF as a possible candidate for Mr.. Grau' :
place said yesterday Mr. Conried has had eX-
perience IN securing foreign artists throughout
Europe and il getting along with them-the
hardest task Of opera management That
should RI him in important respect at least.
FOR his new Office His ability practical
stage manager and skill in handling the en-
seTble should also be counted in his favor
The secretary Of the Metropolitan Opera and
Real Estate Company would give no details OF
the agreement which Is Vel 10 De ora"n up
These details viii not be fully arranged for some
weeks yet, he said, and cannot yet be made
public
Mr. Conried was iyorn on September 13 1855.
IN Belitz. Austria where his father was A
wealthy manufacturer. He received d classical
education, early showing interest in studies
bearing on his future career. His first public
appearance was November Il. 49,, speaking
the prologue at the opening Of the Residenz
Theatre in Vienna. His work attracted general
attention, and he at once engaged as q
member OF the company Of the Burg Theatre
IN the Austrian capital. Later he went 10 the
National Theatre in Berlin His reputation as
an actor grew rapidly, and he soon received
many offers, finally accepting engagement in
Leipsic In 1875 he had his first experience as
& director, having been called TO Bremen, where
he soon made the Stadt Theatre known through
out Germany. Mr. COnried's success attracted
The attention Of Adolph Neuendorf. and in 1877
ne came 10 tals city 10 take charge Of the old
Germania Theatre
The year following he was made artistic di-
rector OF the Thalla Theatre. and in 1852 its
business manager. For a time Mr. Conried was
connected with the Casino. but in 1892 he re-
turned 10 the German stage, becoming director
OF the Irving Place Theatre. His success as
head OF that institution is well known. IL has
been recognized not only in this country, but
abroad. and many decorations, including high
ones BY the German Emperor, the Emperor OF
Austria anG the King OF the Belgians, have
been conferred upon him