New-York tribune., 1908-12-07
OPERA BREACH OPEN
Situation at the Metropolitan Still
Delicate.

The closing OF the breach IN the organization OF
the Metropolitan Opera House, which had been
caused by the application OF Andreas Dippel. the
administrative manager TO the board OF directors
TO have his contract renewed, and the supporting
petition of five OF the leading artists OF the COM
pany in Mr. Dippers favor, seemed as far away
yesterday as ever. Despite the assurances Of MI
Gatte-Casazza that he would be glad to have MI.
DippeI retained IN his present capacity the acton
OF the five artists in coming to Mr. Dippefs sup
Port has made the position OF both managers au
extremely delicate
MI Gatti-Casazza had nothing TO add yesterday
in explanation of the deep seated causes Tor the
dissension in the opera house. Despite lhslsleht
requests TO Mr.. Dippel and the artists who signed
the letter which precipitated the announcement Oh
the board of directors that the former managing
director Of La Scala was and will be in supreme
authority at the Metropolitan, none Of them Wouid
divUIge its contents Mr.. Dippei merely sad that
had letter Of the artists been published togethe
with the refy Of the board Of directors. II Wouiu
have given the public an entirely different impress
sont the action of the singers 10 that circulated
in of the newspaper reports.
Rumors flew thick and fast yesterday as to the
causes Of the discord in the hall of harmony at
3sth street and Broadway None Of the members
Of the executive committee OF the board OF q
rectors would discuss the matter, but it Is con
sidered significant that William K Vanderbilt was
in his box at the popular concert last night-sone-
thing unusual for the, most influential memQer OF
the trio.
Nj DfppeI has so slong been familiar with meth
DDS Of producing opera in New York that his posi-
ton has been probably the most difficult Of any OF
those holding responsible places. To him has faAeh
the delicate task OF smoothing ever the troubles
among the singers. who have been used 10 Ne"
York methods and in endeavorlng to act the part
Of the diplomat and make things run as smoothly
as possible so as give the Metropolitan the pest
results he has become the goat" between warning
factions.
1t may be stated with certainty that Mr. Dippei
did not suggest the writing Of the letter "lIC'l
was signed by Mines. SeuIbrich, Eames ana Par
Messrs. Caruso and Scott, nor did ne
urge any Of them 10 sign the document Each OF
the five artists named was considered OF such IN
huence last spring. when the question Of Mr. DIP
pel's engagement a manager was broached mat
each OF them was approached by member OF the
present executive committee and asked II II would
be repugnant them 10 have a former associate
in 3 superior position. Largely on that account
It is said the Eve artists mentioned determined 10
write the letter the board Of directors express
ing their approval OF the work Mr. Dippel has done
this season.
This was only after II had become common
knowledge about the Metropolitan that Messrs
CIatti-Casazza and Toscanini had determined TO
demand q renewal Of their contracts and that MI
Dopel in view OF that demand, had expressed a
wish TO the board TO have his own status dennea-