New-York tribune., 1909-01-18
EXTRA OPERA CHEAPER
Dir. Hammerstein Announces an
Educational Season of 8 Months.

Who said New Yorksrs had surfeit OF grand
opera? Oscar Hammerstein artses-or. rather, sits
down and takes his pen in hand-to disagree with
him. although it was longer ago than the begin
ming of the present season OF s. opera at the Man
haitian Opera House THAI Mr.. Hanmerstein asserted
-and he said 1t was from conviction gained BY sad
experience-that opera at popular prices would not
60 with New Workers
Mr.. Hammers Elm give up his regular season Of
opera at the Manhattan? Never. But this man Of
ideas is now going 10 give freshman course. 50
to speak. in grand opera In q ciBular sent out
yesterday he announces the beginning on August
Is next of season Of educational grand opera
Tor the masses to last three months and to ne
preliminary to his regular season BY the time the
regular season opens. in the Iatter part OF Nove-
Der ohe subscription sale will begin Monday, No
vennber 15) it be that the will have be
come so habituated 10 hearing, the works OF the
great makers of operas that they will have them at
any price
In this new season Of Mr.. Hamnerstelns. which
he announces will be given every year in advance
of the regular season. opera will be given in Eng
-ish as well Italian. The prices have already
been determined upon-50 cents to 81 50. John Nc
Cormack, the Irish tenor, who is engaged for the
regular season at the Manhattan for 1soe-10. and
William HedTont. the English tenor. are now be-
Ing communicated with. as to arrange for the
production Of operas in the vernacular In his de-
termination TO educate much OF the public as
possible. Mr.. Hammerstefn is going to- remove the
boxes during the preliminary season and substitute
seats me poxes VIII De replaced OF course, IOf
the regular season. D..
Mr. Hanlmerstein is explicit on the point that.
though moderate prices may prevail during this
season 1t will not be cheap opera but real grand
opera The impresa-ios Irnpelling motive. ii would
seem, is to educate great part of the population
TO demanding something they have no opportunity
now Of obtaining. But he has other phanthropic
and saSacious purposes, shown in this statement
TIE ending Of the regular season of only hve
months every year throws the. chorus trained and
rehearsed at enormous expense, into other
channels of activity and into any occupation that
may a1ord them the means OF sustenance during
seven months, The numerical loss in the chorus IS
so great every season that the preparation for the
following season always depends largely upon new
and untried material By giving the chorus an ad-
stuffed b. them and at the time salaries can
be paid TO them This condition enters into
the employment Of orchestra, stage hands and the
small army Of attaches required by q grand opera
institution.
An entire new company Of principals. with an ex-
tensive Italian repertory. IT is announced is now
being engaged in Europe. They will not be dis
charged at the end OF the preliminary season. but
will form the nucleus OF auxiliary Manhattan
| Opera House company which will make ex-
tensive tour of the large Western cities during the
winter.
Mr.. Hanrerstein has long felt that his property
in West 34th street too valuble TO be used for
opera purposes for only five months of twelve
| The new arrangement will enable him to make use
| of 1t for eight months out Of the year.