The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-02
HAMMERSTEIN'S OPERA STARS
SINGERS VINO WILL BE HEARD
At THE MANHATTAN.

Maurice Remand q Lead the Bary.
tODes-"I Puritani'' 20 Ic Revived for
the Opening Two American singers.
For the first time in a score Of years New
York will this year nave two seasons Of
grand opera simultaneously. European
cities smaller than New York are frequently
cited as proof of the fact that this city
nh0uld well be able to support two institu-
tons Of his kind. Here. however, the
expenses are enormous and the opera
season il very short. In Berlin and Vienna
the court orera houses are closed for less
than two months and the Grand Opera in
Paris continues its representations through
out the year. The Iriyate OF era houses in
foreign cities are also closed fer a very brief
yeriod. December to March. on the other
hand, is New York's limit, and the receipts
must bo three or four times as great for
every performance as they would have 10
be abroad.
The struggle between Mr.. Ccnried and
Mr.. Eammer:tein will therefore he inter-
sting TO observe. apart from it's artistic
phases. Mr.. Conried, with his already
known and popular artists and his immense
subscription list, has every advantage.
The new Manhattan Or era House came
into existence rrimarily through Mr.. Ham
merstein's Investment in real estate on
West Thirty-fourth street. Mr.. Hammer
stein started out 10 build a great theatre,
- b" called the Drlry Lane, and devoted to
ereCtacles. When the house was half
finished Ia changed his mind aud thought
he would Duild a hip pCdrome. He was still
thinking that when the present H~iopodrome
wac buii. In spite Of his failure OF his
plan he 'efused n large Offer for his prop
rrty frorl the Pennsylvania Railroad COM
Danv ant decided to complete the structure
In order 10 give OF era there.
Cheap priced Italian opera was the first
plan, lat he later deCided to get the most
eXpehsfe artists available ard step into the
fight with the Metropolitan Opera House.
The season which begins tomorrow with
Il Purtani' will continue for twenty weeks.
In all 100 performances outside the Sunday
evening concerts are contemplated. The
Saturd sy evening performances at popular
prices arc outside the subscription. The
Hammerstein season will continue for sew
oral weeks after the departure OF the Con-
riei fnoes.
only Italian and French are TO be used
IN the singing of the operas. and the only
Wagner work to be given will he "Lohen-
grim" which will he sung in French. The
revival of such old works as Il Puritani"
and "l.a Fora del Dcstino" is 70 be a feature
~ the repertoire. Most OF Mr.. Hammer
STEMS singers are Italians. and they will
~aoJuaint New Yorkera with the singers most
popular in Italy to-day. This city has never
lad a company recruited so directly from
the Italian opera houses.
In Signor Allessaldro BOuci. the tenor.
Mr.. HammerStein has the most noted
italian singer of the day. with the exception
at Enrico Caruso. He ia now SO years old,
short in stature and the poesessor Of a
beautiful voice and a still more remarkable
vocal method. il is as the exponent of
what his countrymen call bel cantO" that
be has won his chief fame.
He is the son of a family that has for
generations sold religious books and pic
lures near the grotto Of Loretta in Italy.
1t has always been a tradition that the men
of this family should sing in the choir Of
the chul Gh.
Pietro Mascagni, who was once on a visit
TO Loretto, heard the youthful Bonci sing
and insisted that he come to the conserva-
tory at Pesaro. Of which he was then the
director, to sing for Pedrotti. then in charge
of the vocal department. 1t was decided
that such a talent should be cultivated.
He could not afford to board in Pesaro, so
lived in the home Of an uncle at Fano. He
had every day to walk ten miles TO take his
lessons. After a year he was fortunate