The evening world., 1908-02-25
informal Memorandum as
Good as a Contract, Lawyer
Says - Caruso Seems to
Have a Free Hand-EameS
Said to Be Dissatisfied.
RAWLING.

t~ALMORES. after all, is not to sing
at the Metropolitan Opera House
~ next season. He will continue to
Ae a member of Mr.. Hammerstein's
rompan at the Manhattan Opera
! House. The retirement of Mr.. Conried
from the dictatorship of the older house.
which is to take place at the end of
! the present season. has brought about
many complications. All sorts OF
stories OF what. is 10 happen have been
circulated. Their common foundation is
1umor. In the matter OF the
fstatement was mad on authority that
ne was to leave the Thirty-fourth street
for the Broadway temple of music.
Even that seems not to be true. Tnere
has been a misunderstanding of condi-
eiops. according 10 a letter from Del
mores's lawyer, Louis Mathot ad-
dressed to Mr.. Conried.
An informal memorandum, Mr.. Mathot
says, was signed by Dalmores last De-
cember whereby the tenor bound himself
to Mr.. Hammerstein for three years
following the present season. AS he
had signed no formal contract, Dal-
, mores thought himself free 10 accept
an offer from Mr.. Conreid. but he was
not, Mr.. Mathot advises, and, as Mr..
Hammerstein refuses to release him.
Dalmores cannot fulfill his agreement
with Mr.. Conreid. Dalmores confirms
this statement and adds
The situation is very largely re-
lieved by the circumstance of Mr..
Conried's resignation from the direc-
torshlp Of the Metropolitan Opera
House. under whose persona! man,
gemen | was led to believe | would
be expected TO render my services.
When Dalmores was counted as added
TO the Metropolitan Opera-House string
Gilbert was approached. lie declined
60 change his allegiance. and despite
flatterlng Inducements he elected to re-
main a mAnber of Mr.. Hammerstein's
Then offers were made to Remand.
w..o, Il appears has declined them,
and has signed a contract with Mr..
Hammerststn to remain with him for
three years.
on the other hand. Caruso has been
politan for the Maintain. Ills pres
ence on more than one occasion at
performances in the younger house. and
bis friendly association with both Mr..
eiammerSte!n Il Arthur HammersteIn,
have lent color to the story. Caruso's
contract IS said to be with Mr.. Con
fled personaliy This. at least, seems
20 - N'' "aNAA -'-' o'-A y 70
s!renlen Mt there is no reason why he
ehouli not seek for better terms where
ne Is or find them somewhere else.
Great singers are nervous. impression
able persons, who rely largely upon
The director whom they serve and like
for guidance; so II may be assumed
chat Caruso's future depends upon the
attitude OF Mr., Conried
Caruso's grievance. 1t Is alleged, Is
that. in view OF his popularity. ne is
not properly ~remunerated BY the Con
.eied Metropolitan Opera Company. This
year he has been getting $3.50 a per-
.3ormance, next year he is TO get s.. 90,
enc OF his friends says, while singers
who do not begin TO draw audiences
- he does get comparatively very
.much more. Caruso has been oered
by one OF the leading musica, agents.
the same friend declares. $500 for ten
concerts.
Another STORY IS that BaInes is tired
Of her present status at the Metropoli-
tan and Is willing to become a member
Mr.. Hammerstein's company. Wheth-
er that Is true or not does not appear.
But the fact most apparent to every
body is that Mr.. Hammerste!n's sue
cshses have been won by new people TO