New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-04

is cosest in aural diversion That there are MANY
thousands who attracted to that vast arena Of
art each season by pure love OF what they see and
hear the stage. nobody would think for mo-
ment OF denying: but it is interesting to consider
in view of recent happenings the different elements
that enter into the popularit of grand opera IN
New-York
Never before so popular or so brilliant-so
wreathed round about with the many attractions
that go to make up the fascination of the metropo-
lis of Anlerica-even favored New York it is agreed
by all authorities. before ejoSed the musical
artistic that be spread II this
winter Though New-York is among the youngest
of the capitals OF the world In the development OF
lis musical tastes. European metropolis no mat
ter how ancient or honorable her musical history.
can begin to equal the quality OF the grand opera
performances which Mr.. COnried will offer this
wiater. If asks why this is true the answer Is
that Newly gets the best because she demands
It, and not only demands It, but is ready and will
iHS. anxious. to pay for It, The power OF the
almighty dollar. much r"viled. has at least this
good thing TO say for itself.
And having paid for 1t. New-York Is ready TO
enjoy it with whole souled enthusiasm that results
in those nightly of wealth. beauty and fash
ion that take place around the big square upon
which the temple of song IS reared They eager.
busting crowds that hurrying Broadway
and FOrtieth-st.. whether in carriages drawn by
horses that only a few weeks before carried or
prize ribbons in the show ring at Madison Square
Garden, In automobile omnibuses. the less
exclusive hanson. or. yet again. by the plebeian
trolley car. foot.
TO the stranger unaccustoTned to the sight, the
scene just before just after the opera ap-
pear one of indescribably hopeless confusion The
famous wide highway Is crowded from curb to
curb with glitterng eQuipages, from which
casionally catches the flash of Jewels worth a
princes ransom. n glimpse of faces famous on
contint for the beauty wealth or achieve
rnents OF their owners. The foot passenger must
be keen of sight and cool of brain If he is to
there unscathed and yet he never seems 20 come
to harm, For though 1t is eagerly hurrying
crowd full of enthusiastic haste 70 enter through
those capacious doors into the and brilliant
auditorium. It Is yet a crowd possessed In tho
greatest possible measure Of the good nature that
characteriZes the American en- nasse-especally
In pursuit Of plea sure.
Many columns have been written about the cost
OF an opera season and the profits and losses there
of-now. happily far more often of the former than
the latter There is no question that the magnih-
cent pcodiEaty of it all Is one OF its most striking
features. Nor is this careessue"s Of confined
TO the prices of the boxes or the wealth OF
talent Everything conspres emphasize the
maeridcence Of the resources that IAN so easily
aford such royal entertainment the musical and
society worlds have never known be forc-thc costly
beauty OF the woinens gowns beauty that often
abstracts the attention from the contamination OF
even the lovelinesS of the wearers; the display OF
jewels: the sulnptuous turnouts: the atmosphere of
luxury uEG elegance that to rervade the very
air and steal like some subtle vino into the very
blood of the behoder
Is II strange that one turns ION the contenpla-
toa OF such scene "a this TO consider with mixed
FEELINGS The PROPOSITION made by Mr.. Conred for
cheaper opera! MT Conr:ed TO put the case briefly.
is credited with an ambition 10 give performances
OF grand opera in New-York for eisht months OF
the year AZ the Metropolitan Opera House. The ex-
tent Of this programme appears from the fact that
the present seasons rarely continue for more tnan
rer'od OF fifteen weeks. 1t is stated. however'
that the imDresario is Ct the opinion that Nav