New-York tribune., 1903-04-28

e.gh prices. An early beginning was made Fnd a
3ste ending achieved. and when opportunity
appeared TO make saving Of an hour or so because
CT the failure of Nine. Nordica to appear it was
rot embraced, but the aIiable Nine Gadsh was
shifted from role 10 another, and the perform
snce protracted its projected length. Nine Nor
IDEAS absence from The programme had the con-
Nentionel proclamation II was owing TO indis-
position which prevented her from leaving Pitts
burg where she sang last Saturday. In her stead
Nine Gadsd sang the part Of Valentine in the
fourth act OF Les Huguenots," and Nine Reuss-
Belize relieved her Of her labors in the first act Of
*LohengTfn."
Saving ana excepting these changes. she pro
srarrne was carried out and II consisted Of the
first act OF File Gu Regiment with the pretty
tmpertinenoe Of FRITZ Scher essaying the music
that Nine Sernbrich has sung for all season;
The second act Of Der F7egende HoIlander,"
which had beer performed in the regular sea
son. as anybody might have guessed from the
performance but which probably became necessary
in order 10 give the German contingent fair rep
Tssentaticn the first act OF ''Traviats. with Nine.
senbT1ch Tioletta; the prison scene from
GoUnod's Faust Grterpolated in The original
scheme much 70 its disturbance. for the sake OF
Nine. Eanes): the final scene from Les Hugue-
nots" ana generous slice OF the first act Of 10
hengrin--' with the changes already suggested
Naturally there were men concerned in all these
5rsgrneatary performances, but under the cir
cumstances. they were really Of no consequence.
The occasion was the annual parade Of prina
donnas. VINO were greeted with boundless enthusi-
asn ead carloads Of flowers One man would
doubtless have been received with much enthusi-
asn as any OF the women singers had he chosen
u show himself uron the stage. But he did not
This Mr.. Grau. WHO prudently spared himself
the excitement Of the svening after day fun Of
experiences Of the kind that he VIII never be per
Tnitced 10 forget
4 demonstration in mis- honor would easily have
been pardonabIe, for the spectacle Of an operate
:urp-esario retiring from active management at the
height of his prosperity is not familiar one and
<---Tf Fy7-e DO uof
C-au can call Up any such in his memory To the
reviewer. writing II haste. on the contrary. the
thirty years Of his career seem strewn with wrecks,
and has himself been as badly storm-tossed as
the best Of his predecessors
His old associate, Henry z. Abbey went-down
both Financially and physically in the tempest OF
1886 But Grsu was born to the managerial manner
He was confirmed slave to the operate habit
aE any OF his predecessors in New-YOrk or London
for TIVE centuries. but he differed from them IN
overcoming misfortune. HIS advent at the Metro
roitan Opera House was in accordance with ira
dition He Mr. Abbey's manager when the
ferred be his partner: but the fates were kinder
20 him than his own desires.
M- Abbey wrote his name high among the martyrs
n the Italian calendar In fact, his crown was only
q triAe less brilliant than that achieved by AIR
Dslaheld who managed TO sink half q million
dollars in e single London season. FOR five or SIX
years the lesson that ell opera IS vanity and VeXa-
taon OF spirit seemed TO be deeply impressed upon
The minds Of both Of the genial associates boI
when they found that they could conjure with the
name of PATTI they forgot their vows Of objura-
ton and went fn again for the laurels or the
fhorns which are the reward Of the operate man
aver Tnen came the revolution at the Metropoh-
tan Protesting admiration for German opera as
the oaly safe business proposition, Mr. Aooey
turned 10 italian and French and finally 10 poly
gIot opera he could not weather the storm Of
1s9s but NJ Grau cid. and turned failure into
1Inexanpled success. Last night he had MS re-