New-York tribune., 1903-01-23

will have then been made by the owners of the
Metropolitan Opera House remains to be seen.
It is considered doubtful by many if they will
grant lease of the house for one season only,
on the chance of Mr.. Grau's return. A new i'm
presario is yet to be picked, though the candi-
dates are already talked Of and their number
is not small
Mr. Grau, it will be remembered, suffered a
nervous shock in cab accident some weeks
ago which proved to be the last straw needed
TO bring on a serious illness. Only in the last
three weeks has he been able to go to his office.
and then only for hour two a day. He
made a sem-announcement of his decision TO
retire yesterday afternoon
Il am suffering from a nervous breakdown,
following too many years of overwork," he
said and on the advice of my physicians DR..
Charles Phelps and DR. Janeway. I decided last
night after talking over the matter with my
directors to retire for q year and take an abso-
lutte rest. To-day, however. these physicians
wish time to consider their advice or
shall I say order? 1 will consult with them
again this evening"
The consultation last evening proved TO be
like that Of the preceding day, and Mr., Grau
hent TO the will of his doctors. DIR. Charles
Phelps said 1T the close:
4 have advised Mr.. Grau to rest from his
work for at least year. and he has decided to
withdraw. His health is impaired by arduous
labors extending over several seasons. and he
needs complete change. I have not been asked
to reverse my opinion, and on present infCfma-
tion could not change my mind.
Mr. Grau further stated that ne had no idea
who would succeed him in the lease of the
Opera House.
The Grau Opera Company will not. 1 am
sure. without me-" he said, "and 1 am equally
hat jS in he W
will succeed me. A new man will have to be
found or new company formed 1 hope not
to be gone from opera management for more
than a year. but of the future, Of course, can
not speak with any confidence. That there will
be no opera so far my company is concerned
next year is oil that l declare with absolute
surety
George G. Haven, president of the Metro
politan Real Estate Company, which owns the
Opera House property, could shed no further
light the subject Of a successor.
Il have not yet heard officially of Mr.. Graus
decision to retire he said last night, and no
action has been taken by US concerning the new
grant of the lease l do not know what will be
done; it is too early to discuss the question"
Both Charles and Daniel Frohman men
toned last night possible successors in the
management of the opera, but though Charles
Frohrnan said that he should go alone with
for an American tour of French actors and
possible French theatre he laughed at the idea
of his managing the opera, while it may be
stated that at present Daniel Frohman has no
idea of assuming the mantle of the impresario
Walter Damrosch is generally spoken of the
most likely successor.
Maurice Grau born in Brunn Austria, in
1S49 and came TO this country when five years
old He was graduated from the Free Academy
in 1867 and went to the Columbia Law School,
afterward emaining for two years in a law Of
fee But in 1S.- he took up the work of man
aging musical and theatrical tours, and has
never since retired from that field His first en-
terprise was the American tour of Aimee,
then popular opera bouffe prma donna.
Mr.. Grau's management of the Metropolitan
Opera House. in this city, has extended over
term of eleven years. task that required labor
winter aad summer, here and on the Continent,
and was full of worry and trouble. Mr.. Grau
found time, however to succeed Sir Augustus
Harris as director of the Covent Garden The
atre i'm London, a post that he rellnqulshed,
however a year ago. But last summer ne
proba bly, worked as hard and unnterruptedly as
ever before in getting In Europe the singers Tor
this seasons opera in New-York. He Is a
chevalier in the Legion d 'Honnaur
Where Mr. Grau will spend his season OF RESI-,
whether in this country or abroad he does not
ct know.