The Washington times., 1905-10-08
Music Between Acts
New York Managers Now
Discussing the Feasibility
of Dispensing With 1t Al
together.

The abolition of the orchestra has been
taken under consideration by the Asso-
citation of Theater Managers of Greater
: New York 1t is quite probable these
gentlemen are not actuated especially
by ethical OF esthetic motives. In all
likelihood they look at the question from
the viewpoint CT the bank account II
manager can dispense with an orches-
ira ii viii mean a saving of several
thousand dollars to him every season.
One member OF the association is on
record as declaring that music between
the acts is not necessary; audiences do
not care enough for 1t; In fact, as rule
they pay little or no attention to it.
AS regards this opinion, it is probably
entirely correct. And what is more, the
managers are themselves TO blame. In
the majority of theaters the entr' acte
music is a positive affiiction. for the or
chestra is generally entirely insufficient
TO produce anything that is satisfactory
to ears even supericialy attuned to
good music 1t is not the fault OF the
performers. but of the managers, who
fail 20 provide ampler material. Pre-
sumably their experience has convinced
them that lit doesn't pay" The atti-
tude of the public toward tie Institution
of music between the acts is one of ut
ter indifference, judging by the facts in
the case. The minute the curtain falls
conversation becomes general, it mat
tiers not what the orchestra may play.
In almost all cases the performance is
not sufficiently enhancing TO charm the
audience into even polite attention. The
whole thing is regarded as a negligible
quantity.
WIZ should it not be so2 Take the
<1ao in ri nd ilee
from Washington and behold whal are
by courtesy styled the orchestras. You
will find three fiddles. one bass, one
flute, one clarinet, one cornet, another
bugle and q drum the manipulation of
which also Goes service on what they
call small stuff These orchestras
tackle without the least remorse any
thing from Bedelia to Parsifal, with re-
suits that have caused more than one
mans soul TO run the risA Of eternal
dannation. There can be no doubt
that at union prices an orchestra
worthy of the name would be so eX-
pensive luxury that the average
manager would shy at 1t; but as long
as we can't have the real article, by
eli means let us dispense with IL al
together. Then the audience will not
be harassed and the managers will
save money ana everybody will be
While on this subject protest
against incidental music may as well
be registered. How any actor of good
sense and having any regard for the
uE!ties of good dramatic situation
can rest content while a few fiddles
are waiiing out some dreadful bars
just as the audience becomes interest
ed in the action and is thereby de-
priyed of the opportunity of hearing
clearly what is spoken, besides having
its attention detracted by these Incl
dental" noises, is something that passes
corraprehensiOn. Managers and actors
are equally offenders IN this particular,
for neither should permit the offense
to be perpetrated. 1t is an unqualified
nuisance and nothing else.
In conclusion II may be added that
in the case OF serious dramatic offer
ings music between the acts is entirely
out OF place 1t merely serves to spoil
the impression that may have been
created by the genius OF either author
or actor. While IL may be ~permissible
If comedy or farce is presented. il is
offensive to good taste when obtruded
during a performance OF legitimate
drama or tragedy.