The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-22
The Home of Grand Opera.

Although one of the greatest of opera singers asserted last season that there was no art in America and that in order to be appreciated one must sing abroad Mr W. J. Henderson, one of the abest musical critics in the United States, ans wered the assertion so effectually that it is unnecessarily 10 go into details on that score here.
 The acknowledged home of the opera in this country is New York The Met ropoltan opera house IS a landmark of Gotham and the musical world, the fash ionable world and the commercial, have paid homage there to the attractions of the opera for years and years.
 Two seasons ago, when MT. Oscar Ham merstein started upon a venture, organiz- ing and creating another opera house in New York there was much misgiving on the part not only of musicians, but business people as we'll
 It was a much mooted question as to whether New York could or would sup port another opera house The most flattering results have been the outcome and with the opening of MT. Hammer stein's Manhattan opera house on No vember g. with a superb cast in La Tosca," the third season was ushered in with great eclat unsurpassed by any thing the Metropolitan has ever eXpe- rienced unless perhaps the premier on Monday evening last when Aida" was presented there.
 In these happy days it is generally supposed that the only requirements of the prima donna are the simularcrum of a acquaintance with "a king and a few dukes" a private stage manager to in vent new business" to be introduced at each appearance, physical charms al- ways ready for untrammelled exhibition, and a latch string always on the outside for the enterprising reporters of the var ious journals.
 All this is true and each helps in it's own peculiar way. but the first season of opera at the Manhattan showed Im- pressario Oscar that he couldn't give five dollar opera without great artists Being a very clever person Mir. Ham, merstein took the matter at once in hand and proceeded to employ the best.
 He has searched Europe and found the greatest singers in the world. He is pay ing them fabulous prices and his winning card is the great Campanini, who as conductor, has no peer.
 Nhe repertoire of operas this sea- son embraces the works of the old mas ters to which have been added a great many novelties.
 In French will be sung 'salome" "Thais," "Pelleas and Melisande," Lou ise,' "Contes d'Hoffman,' "Ciriseldls'' 'Princesse d'Auberege," "Jongleur de Notre Dame' and "danon," which Mr Hammerstein claims as his exclusive property; and in addition Samson and Delilah," Les Pecheurs de Perles. Faust and Carmen"
 These operas are to be sung in Italian: "Othello." "Falstaff,'' Aida" Huge Ofef ores" Siberia" Andrea Chenier" "Lu- cia di Lammermoor," "Rigoletto," ''Tra viata," ''sonnambula." "The Daughter of the Regiment" Barber of Seville" La Boheme." 'Tosca," Madame Butterfly" Linda de Chamounix." ''Ballo in Mas chera," ''Trovatore," "Ernani," "Crispino la Comare' "Pagliaccr' and "Caval 1eria Rusticana"
 Melba, Tetrazzini. and Mary Garden will be MT. Hammerstein's principal sopranos for the coming season, and the others who will appear in soprano parts are Labla, Espinasse Agostinelli Tancreda, Trentini Ponezano. Zeppilu. Severina and Koelling. Mme. Campanini will appear by special engagement.
 
 Of these Mary Garden is undoubtedly the greatest. While she does not possess the vocal pyrotechnics that have made Tetrazim famous, she possesses much more A charming personality, a beauti- ful voice, the most wonderful magnetism and great beauty. To see her and hear her Is to go to fantastic lengths in ones devotion. She recalls one of Baudelaire's enigmatic women, or Mater Malorium. A figure out of one of DeQuincy's opium stained dreams. In her histronic work she is the superior of Sarah of the Cardou regime, the true successor of Rachel. Remember, I said one goes to fantastic lengths about this wonderful