New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-22
HAMMERSTEIN'S STORY.
WRITES HIS "uEMOIRS." "
Says VaudeUiUe Grand Operc
Turns" Care Him Impetus.


al day yesterday, and spent most OF the day in
debating what he called the Memoirs Of his first
| opera season at the Manhattan. which ended on
| Saturday night
In them he tells Of the difficulties he encountered
IN his search for singers abroad. of the discourage
ing beginnings Of his season, and of the success
That followed his production Of 'Carmen'-a sue
cess which was the turning point Of his season.
MI. Hammersten says he was led to believe In
! the presence of a genuine taste for grand opera
In the masses by his vaudeville experience. Audi
ences' he says, always grew wildly enthusiastic
over grand opera turns, the 'RigOletto quartet,
! the Lucia" sextet or the Prison Trio from
Faust being greeted invariably with thunders Of
applause.
When, in February last, visited the musical
centres and byways Of music and grand opera in
particular In search OF artists for my contemplated
first season Of grand opera in my Manhattan Opera
House, still in OF completion, my reception
on the part Of directors agents and singers Of note
was absolutely North POleon." the memoirs be-
gin.
PLEASANT SYMPATHY IN NEW YORK.
'In New York my very much advertised purposes
and intentions met with fine sympathy; some adj
vtsed the services Of specialist other looking at
the matter more seriously. recommended the i'm
mediate use OF a straitacket. Worse than all
of that. the musical world thought me too funny
for anything
1.-THE wise ones said grand opera was matter
/ of fashion. The unwise said grand opera was
relic OF barbarsm: what New York really wanted
was academy OF cakewalk a subsidized col
lege of ballads
''It is a cause of much wonderment to me to-day
that while in Europe not locked up on sus-
picion, either upon the charge of attempt 10
kidnap singers inveigle them into going TO
America under false pretences
II frankly said I all alone in the undertake
ing. that l represented corporation nor that
had backing Of a dollar Millions at any rate,
I had the satisfaction of feeling that I the
most avoided impresario in Europe A recital of
the ways and means by which succeeded in turn
ing this spirit of fear and antagonsm into one Of
respect and confidence I have 10 leave to the
space in the newspapers generally devoted to obt-
uaries. and which in my sincerely hope will
occur from time 10 time.
ION the 10Th day of September last opened my
subscription list for a season of grand opera in
French and Italian. 1 announced the engagement
BY contract of imposing array Of singers. most
OF whom stood in the front Of the worlds famous
artists
'"The most notable feature OF the opening for sub
scrpton the absence of subscribers. Not
wishing to give violent blow TO veracity Will
admit that the first day three elderly ladies' and
one less elderly gentleman made INQUIRIES at the
box office. cycling the custodian OF the subscription
books with all the evidence Of suspicion After a
Few days this excited condition of things subsidized
ana few courageous IF not careless people really
did subscribe. making small deposits at tho altar
firm belief in the eternal farewell OF their money
DOUBTS ABOUT OPERA LoNGINGs.
Again protesting against any Inference that
desire 10 collide with truth and veracity. I VIII
state that this exhibition Of enthusiasm on the
part Of the musical population OF the city IN con-
tTibutng 10 season OF grand opera at my house
did not altogether MI mo with hIarity or vanity
unbecoming a gentleman and impresario; and
when. n few days later. IN my attempt 20 climb
the ladder OF Operatic fame. fell into n cellar
through opening IN the lobby OF tho opera house.
inJuring my spine and causing 20 be inclosed In
common plaster for several weeks, the suspicion
gradually entered my uninjured mind that there
really did not exist exactly epidemic desire for
grand opera IN New York. or that It had been
cured prematurely. in utter disregard TO my feel
ings and aspirations.
Perhaps It had gone fishing for all knew. In
addition TO this superbly interesting state Of af-
fairs, moneyed circles became somewhat angular
in their dealings and demeanor toward me-this
good man who has gone into grand opera
causing one Of my first tenors 10 bluntly demand
the sum OF $4,000 IN cash evidence OF oper-
attic longevity on my part before he would even
deign TO come to rehearsal He absolutely denied
me the privilege TO rehearse with my $4,000 he
wanted an Immediate performance.
Il had invested over a million ana half in the
ground and building now known as the Manhattan
Opera House. To thoroughly quench the thirst OF
opera I'm this supposed-to-be music starving pub
lie dIsentanged additional half million dollars
for costumes and scenery. And when. in addition
to all this, I now calmly mention that Shout
dered a responsibility OF nearly million dollars
in season contracts with a small army OF great
artists and others. J. in duty TO myself. am bound
TO add that am neither a drinking man nor ad-
dicted to the of cigarettes narcotics in any
form.
"And when, three days previous to the opening
night. my ledger showed a total subscription for
boxes and seats for the season of grand opera in
French and Italian OF 19O6-07. comprising twenty
weeks, 20 the amount OF $4,000 my aforesaid and
described painful sojourn in plaster Of paris was
a transport to the Elysees in comparison to the
situation I confronted.
"A subscription of $4,000 in my now opera house
against the subscription Of $4,000 at the Metro
poltan opera House! The only oasis in this desert
of inky operate bleakness was the fact that had
neither partner board OF directors nor any
accomplice what whom soever. To drive away
any possible detection on my part, held meet
ing with myself in my office. elected myself pEesi-
dent vice president and also a number of other
officers and respectfully rendered myself unani-
nous vote of admiration and confidence.
ION December 3 the curtain for the first time
on the opera I Puritani'; the box office showed
receipts Of 81 900. Enthusiasm ran riot! was
called out; made speech; confronted an audi
ence of four thousand people. Perhaps the sheriff
was one Of them--perhaps. to familiarize himself
with the surroundings and the contents of the
premises.
CHILLY RECEPTION TO RENAUD.
ION Wednesday. the second night. presented
'RigoIetto' It was the first appearance OF Re
maud the great Renaud. the pride OF the opera In
France. If not In Europe.
From a managerial standpoint as wei as from
any other It could reasonably be expected that
world-famous singer would arouse the haoitual
operasoer Of New York 10 witness az least his
opening performance. The house was nearly
empty-as 2s were the total receipts. derived most
nf he