New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-11-24
OPERA BACK TALK
H1HHERSTEIN WARM.
Objects TO DipPeI's Offer to
Take Orer Philadelphia House.
IRr r.leEsph 70 he rr.bun.. ]

administrative director OF the Metropoli-
tan Opera Company. issued a statement
tonight I'm reply 10 Oscar Hammerstein's
recent speech in the Philadelphia opera
House. when Mr.. Hammerstein said that
next season his performances would have
TO be guaranteed. like those OF the Metro
politan company.
Mr. DlppeIs statement follows:
MI, Hammerstein has asked recently shy
the Metropolitan Opera Company should
require guarantees for giving perform
ahoos ~ Philadelphia. ] am pleased to an
sMer this question: In coming 90 Phila-
delphia the Metropolitan Opera Company
Mise devote 10 giving performance I'm
scription seats at the Metropolitan in New
loih ls 80 large ana constantly growing.
that II makes II certain an additional week
lN periorinance would be readily and fully
subscribed for.
ma coming 20 Philadelphia once each
week, ~ II does. the Metropolitan Is no;
"nIN mourning vast expense m trans
chestra. stan. ballet. scenery and costumes.
put-Snd this Il very important ConSid-
eration-ths services OF the artists taking
Part IN the Philadelphia performances afc
not available for most necessary rehearsal Is
IN New York for two dsys-ths day Of the
Phiiadelphia performance and the follow
Tho guarantee for the Philadelphia per-
tormances does not cover the actual "a
losS OF artists, time and OF wear and tear
ana effort From the point OF view 81
dollars ana cents, IL would be more profit-
able TO the metropolitan Opera Company
10 dispense with the Philadelphia perform
alceS ana give instead AN additional per
Torrance in New York. But the Metro
politsn is not looking for profit. IN fact,
under It's statutes. adopted last wear. II is
precluded from financially henefiting. :
any profit realized must be devoted TO
pension. operate endowment fund or SINH
lar altruisfiC purpose
II has been bringing its great artists 10
Philadelphia these many years u feels u
self part and parcel Of the art life Of Phil
adeiphia. as II does OF that Of New York
IL Is proud Of and grateful for the 10y aIly
csived in this music loving and understand
ing great city. and without regard 10 IMAM
cial considerations II will. with reciprocal
loyalty. continue To give Its Lest 10 Phlla-
delphis land il Is not too much 20 say ina.
no opera house ever has had the array or
great artists and the perfection OF eilseni-
bl which the Metropolitan is enabled To
offer this season.. as long as IT'S patrons Ia
Philadelphia. 10y their attendance ana sup
port. indicate that IL is their wish 10 have
performances by the Metropolitan Opera
Company in their city.
II M Hammerstein by his recent state
ment meant 10 give notice that unless ne
obtained guarantee he would cease giving
opera in Philadelphia, I hereby give notice
that in such event we stand ready TO build
an opera house In Philadelphia. or entirely
10 renOVate the Academy of Music, n the
Owners approve, OF TO purchase Mr.. Ham
OF H. aud 20 give opera here four times
week. at our own risk and without any
guarantee within an ensemble OF eminent
artists stationed in Philadelphia, possibly
engaging some artists in New York. with
chorus. orchestra, ballet, scenery and cos
tunes belonging exclusively 10 the Phils-
delphis house-in short. 10 provide, IN fact
well as IN name. an opera house and
organization entirely Of It's own for this
great ely. and 70 place the same in charge
OF a board Of directors controlled by the
citizens of Philadelphia
When Mr.. Hammerstein saw Mr.. Dip
peIs statement tonight at the Phila-
delphis Opera House he issued the follow
ing statement:
Mr. DippeI. now the director Of the Met
ropolitHn Opera House, wants 10 purchase
my Philadelphia opera house for the pUr-
pose OF presenting their operas therein l
don't ever want to see performances such
- The Metropolitan people give in the
house ] have erected.
I am giving employment TO one hundred
ana nifty chorus people living in Phila-
delphis; am giving employment to
seNentA-fTC musicians living in Phlladel-
phia ana over one hundred other en-
ploYes. all residents OF Philadelphia The
htti" carload 81 singers. all residents of
New York. which are brought over here
every week cost lust one-half perform
ance OF what mime costs
The directors OF the Metropolitan Opera
House. consisting Of Mr.. Vanderbilt
MackaE ana dozen OF multimlllonaires.
exact a guarantee because they donate 4
certain kind OF opera IN ShiladeIphia
which costs just ons-half Of tho guarantee
they are obtaining.
I am not millionaire. the opera give
costs me more than the guarantee would
cover and l am not financially able 10
stand losses. The Metropolitan peoplo
never invested one dollar Ia property I'm
FhMsdelph's. IN investing nearly $l.J09.GJO
] iufed ET2nd opera IN PHILADELPHIA 70
the front rank Of opera Of the world II
my efforts have caused Philadelphians 10
receive improved musical and operate per
fOrmances IN another part OF tho CITY IL
Is matter Of PRIDE 10 me: bun II such
y lth risks. such as my financial condi-
Ton as e single individual do not perDlit
] cannot be expected 70 invite ruin myself
l have purpOseiy called my mouse tie
stems opera hOuSe-lu order 20 nave
fhllaoelphians feel that - is q public in
Sutuuon 10 he taken care Of by them 10
Ltcoile . civic pTldc and source Of musical
foucducu 20 them I am not iu need ~
CHARITY or patronage ana don't ask q guar
ariee m such q spirit.
~ efforts cannot be paid in money.
salary 81 s. 90. -, a year could nof ,ual.s
me give opera here or elsewhere I Son.t
want % 10 paid. want 10 be appreciated
aud the greatest appreciation rsu - aN
tended by not expecting me 10 lose none
Philadelphia cannot support Is MANY o.,
cratic performance IS are being given
now ] am able 10 ipe ont aay opsrati,
corporation that is not subsidized An
ounce Of hTaln Is worth ton OF colc. I
have the highest regard for Mr. Dfppel 7
want him 20 succeed and give him aid
cratic neld.
am willing 20 tske the dates the Mot.
Iopolitan opera House people have in the
Academy OF Music and give hotter oper,,
without a dollar of guarantee 7 would
naturally. then. decrease tho u,lmler 81
performances IN the Philadelphia opcra
House
TDTFEC fTI ZIG T-r/. mn