Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-29
Conried Has Plan to Circumvent
the Metropolitan Directors.
SUPPRESSION MEANS LOSS
Great Work May Be Given at Another
Gotham Theater.
NINE. FR0ELICH DEFENDS DANCE
She Says It Was Ten Times as Sem
sational in Berlin-Toned
It Down.

NEW YORK, January 29-Heinrich Con-
ried has plan on foot now, which, If car
ried out, will circumvent the directors Of
the Metropolitan Opera and Real Estate
Company in their efforts to suppress "Sa-
lone" at the big Broadway house. If
when the directors meet tomorrow they de-
eide that no more "Salome" performances
shall be given at the Metropolitan Opera
House, Mr.. Conried will obey the letter of
their instructions. In such case, it is said
he will produce the Wilde-Strauss music
drama at another New York theater, prob
ably the New Amsterdam, at special MORN
ing performances, at least three a week.
There are no difficulties connected with
the scheme said a man closely connected
with the production. "AIl 'Salome' needs
is an enlarged orchestra pit, and we had
to make that at the Metropolitan even by
taking out seats. The stage requirements
are few, and almost any stage In New York
could be made to accommodate the produc-
ton. 1t might be given every morning but
for the difficulty of Nine. Fremstad's part,
which 1t would be impossible for her to
sing more than three times a week. The
theater could stage its regular performance
at night. and the orchestra could play at
the Metropolitan
1t was declared yesterday that the direc-
tors of the Conried Metropolitan Opera
Company are not in favor of taking the
work Off the stage, but that they feel that
If the real estate company insists that 1t
would be the part of wisdom to give no
further performances at the Metropolitan.
Mr.. Haven Approves.
George G. Haven. president of the real
estate company, when seen last night. said:
The company could have no objection to
this scheme Conried can do anything he
pleases of course. We are only preserving
the dignity of the Metropolitan Opera
House."
1t was further pointed out that the acting
version of "Salome'' is in rehearsal at Mr..
Conrieds Irving Place Theater, where he
produced what plays he desired.
One of the large theatrical managers who
controls many uptown theaters said last
night that any of these were at Mr.. Con-
reds disposal.
Il think any theater in town would open
its doors to him for the production" he
said. 1T is a great work of art, and it
would be shame to suppress it alto
gether.''
Four theaters are spoken of as especially
likely-the Academy, the Hippodrome, the
Lyric and the New Amsterdam. 1t is said
that negotiations toward the securing of the
latter playhouse are already under way.
The Academy is in some ways best adapt
ed for the performance, but the Location is
not good. The Hippodrome gives daily
matinees. and it would be difficult to ar
New Amsterdam is available, and 1t is
known that Mr.. Erlanger, manager of the
latter, is a close friend of Mr.. Conried.
The matter was discussed Sunday when
several of Mr.. Conried's friends visited him
at his house. Otto Kahn of the opera
house directors was one of these, and AL
fred Hertz, the conductor of "Salome," an
other.
Mr.. Meltzer's Statement.
At the Opera House last night Charles
Henry Meltzer, official spokesman said
that he could say nothing in regard to
future performances in another theater.
Il only know Mr.. Conried's tenacity of
purpose" he continued. when he makes
up his mind to do anything he is quite
likely to do it, and l should be surprised
If he gave up cherished a project as
this without a struggle
The sale of seats for the opera continues
and last night the three announced per-
fOrmances were advertised usual in the
programs, although several changes in cast
had been made during the day in the same
program.
Meanwhile the directors Of neither the
real estate company nor of the opera COM
pany did anything In the morning a no.
meeting of both boards would be held at
noon tomorrow. At this meeting the final
fate of the opera, so far as the Metropoli-
tan is concerned. will be decided. There
is small occasion to believe that the d.
rectors of the real estate board will change
their minds. Unquestionably they will re-
fuse to consider their action
An Opera-goer of thirty years experience
ures said yesterday: "'Salome' would have
failed but for this advertising. The sale
was small for the second performance, and
after it had been given four times to small
might have shown Germany that we are
not willing to accept all sorts of messes
under the name of art.
Now, however, nothing Of the sort will
happen. The advertisement which the
music drama has obtained through this
sensational handling will make 1t sue
cess, at least a financial success for now
it will be given surely one place or an
other"
Even now the seats for Thursday morn
ing's performance are not all sold, and the
spectators are not calling them out.
1t is a well-known fact that Mr.. Con-
ried and the directors of the opera de-
pended upon ''Salome" 70 make finan-
cial success. After the heavy losses of
the San Francisco disaster and the great
expense attendant upon the new produc-
tons this year, it was intended that the
sensational Strauss drama should help fill
the Golfers.
Toned Down the Dance.
The production of "salome" itself is not
an expensive one, but the many orchestral
rehearsals. the guarantee Of $4,000 to the
composer and like expenses bring the
total up to more than $4,000. or course.
much of this may be made up on the road,
but it is felt that more money may be
made in New York.
Blanche Froelch, who dances the Dance
of the Seven Wells, which is considered by
many the most daring and sensational epi-
sode in the music drama, said last night:
Salome' Is a great work of art, and
/ should hate to have it taken off The
dance is symbolic and eastern. 1t can
be nothing but a danse du ventre 1t
was arranged by Strauss and the ballet
master at Dresden, and as given in Europe
it was ten times as sensational as 1t is
here At the Sunday rehearsal l danced
1t as il should be danced. but l was asked