The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-06
TOTAL RECEIPTS
 NEARLY $l86,0OO. ParslfaI Performances Average Nearly S17,O0O Each CONRiED IN A JOYOUS MOOD Composer Has Chosen the Music Drama for His Benefit, and the
 Prima ponnas VIII be
 Flower Girls.

From the New York Times.
 Heinrich conried, importer of voices, was happy man last night He strode through the corridor of the Metropolitan Opera House all smiles and affability, lis- tening to the strains of "Parsifar' as it was being performed for the eleventh time The director had in his hand lit- t,e slip of paper which he twirled in his fingers and looked at every few minutes as if the contents pleased him nightly. If any one was curious as to what was written on it he was very willing to tell him.
 There were nothing but rows of figures. They were put down regularly, just as school children arrange them to add up, Under the line at the bottom was this: $1S6,0O0. That is the sum that has been taken in at the box office from music lovers who wanted to hear Richard Wag- ner's great sacred opera. Divided by Il, the result is nearly si70OO the average re- eeipts for every performance. The wild est hopes of MT Conried and his friends never presented such a grand total Evil dently the impresario was well satisfied.
 Fully 5o,o00 Attended.
 Fully 50,OOO persons have seen and heard ':Parsifar' in New York this season. All of the 33OO seats have been occupied at every performance, and it is estimated that there were about 1250 standing. The first plan was to give only five performan- ces this year, but popular demand was too great. The number had to be doubled. and an extra matinee was given on Wash ington's birthday.
 It was announced last night that still another performance would be given. 1t will be MT. Conried's benefit, and will be a matinee on Saturday, April 23- Here tofore the benefit for the management at the end of every season has been mace up of scenes from several diffrent operas, so that all the singers in the Metropoli- tan Opera company could take part. But MT Conried as has been proved before, is not follower in the footsteps of oth- ers-and his benefit will be 'Parsifal."
 How will all the singers be able to take part if your benefit is 'Parsifal! he was asked last night.
 The impresario shook his head.
 Can Be Flower Girls.
 "I haven't thought of that yet he said. Then a sudden thought brought smile to his face. "All the rest-the ones not in the regular cast-can be flower girls. Is not that right?'
 His questioner thought so but wondered what the petted prima donnas would think of this plan to submerege them into a chorus In the contract of every opera star there is a clause by which she or he, as the case may be- agrees to sing once flor the benefit of the mana cement" '" But the singer does not usually expect to fill a flower girls part.
 With the announcement of the twelfth "Parsifal' MT Conried made known that he would give a second Ring series All four performances of this second Ring will be matnees. They will take place April IS, 20, 22 and 25
 Most of the directors evening was spent in replying to congratulations on his importation of "Parsifal." He replied to all with the same happy and satisfied smile. His demeanor presented a very decided contrast to his unrest and ner- vousness on Christmas Eve, when the opera was first presented at the Metro poltan. Then he was all movement al- most in a frenzy of fear lest his venture should not be a success. Last nicht he was secure in the two months-old knowl- edge that he had brought "Parsfal' to America and brought it in all it's perfec- ton, without the loss of the valuable atmosphere" which Frau Wagner thought could not be obtained outside of Baireuth.
 T am satisfied. I am happy" These were Herr Conrieds words. q have brought 'Parsifal to New York after working and worrying for months about it. Of course I appreciate all the praise that the public has given me for it. have received much help from others, though, and I wish to give them all the credit that Is due them."