The evening world., 1909-03-06
BY SYLVESTER RAWLING

w comiQue as well as grand
opera at the Manhattan
Opera House next season? Because the
time Is ripe for revival Of II, the
public wants 1t, and | am pioneer
Oscar Hammerstein, as he said THIS
smiled in that curiously ingrali'tlhS wa!
o. his that somehow does not remove the
impression that behind 1t Is an inscruta-
Bile personality.
We were chatting yesterday afternoon
In the spacious and handsome directors
room OF the Temple OF Music In west
Thirty fourth street, which the impre-
sar!o dedicated to the public OH Dec. .,
1905. All the directors were present, as
he loves to say. In his own person Inc
telephone at his elbow was constantly
ringing, but he denied himself to all save
ono OF those who called him ana win
that one held only a brief conversation
In German. See me tomorrow morn
ing after 10 o'clock" was his invariaole
answer.
An Antidote and a Stlmulant.
Opera comque," Mr.. tlammersteln
continued, is at once an antidote and a
stimuant TO grand opera. An unoroRen
diet OF solid foods Is not good for the
stomach A too constant hearing OF the
superb, lofty, inspired but heavy operas
OF the great composers, Of which T. IN
common with all music lovers. am fond.
may induce musical Indigestion. | shall
provide the public. therefore. with a
corrective in the shape Of the lighter,
daIntler and effervescent operas that
are no less the creations Of genius.
Devotees OF Verdi and Wagner and
Msysrbeer will be refreshed by these
lncursions into Offenbach and Auber.
and will enjoy their idols all the more
for the change.
Especially Qualified TO Give t.
II am a modest man, but think am
especially qualified TO produce opera
com,aue. You may recall that It was
who gave the last exhibition OF 1t In
New York some Ave or six years ago.
The opera company In New Orleans,
which was presenting both kinds OF
opera, had a bad season and disbanded.
I engaged the opera comique halt ana
rave a successful season of four weeks
at my Victoria Theatre. Laya' VINO "
one OF the artists to he In my new COM
pany, made hit then.
MY opera comique company u 10 W
separate and distinct from my granu
opera company. with Its own principal
singers. chorus. orchestra and con-
ductor. It will be dignitied opera
comlaue that shall give. shorn OF all
horseplsy and vulgarity. My produc-
tons will BIO bright. sprishtly and
sparkling, but absolutely Clean
Educational Opera Plans.
AT this point came the telephone inter-
ruption previously mentioned. "heh
the chat was resumed Mr.. Hammersteln
continued:
IT shall have many surprises for next
season both as to singers and ne"
works, but | prefer to withhold the de-
tails until after my trip abroad. nave
already announced my Educational
opera season, at popular prices, begin
ming on Aug. 20 and lasting until Nov l.
For this also have engaged. or shall
engage, q separate company OF singers,
a separate orchestra and separate
chorus. My Philadelphia leader. Sturani,
whose skill YOU must have admired In
his conducting Of 'Trovatore' last Mon
day night, will be the conductor. When
the regular opera season begins In the |
middle OF November this company Will |
make a tour Of the larger towns OF the
" est
Strauss softening EIektra.
"Elsktra' promises to be ono Of the
biggest hits OF my next season. II Is
creating profound sensation In. Europe
II Is produced, and every
opera house wants It, Strauss writes to
Translation into English Of his German
that ! can make-the parts
OF Elektra and Clytemnestra, they are
such a strain upon the singers.
Except for such sensational compo-
sitions as 'Salome and Elektra.' the |
public has to be educated to love new
works. The first time or two that put
on That's my galleries showed rows OF |
empty seats; now they are easily filled. |
My 'Princesse D'Auberge' next Wednes- |
day night possibly may have the same |
but Il Is a delightful opera |
and IL bound TO become popular.
The Fate Of Florld OperaI
what 70 to become Of the old horid |
operas, you ask? That Is a question |
that Is troubling tho director OF every |
important opera-house In the world |
Other times other manners seems TO me |
the answer. With the gradual disap- |
pearance from the sage OF the masters !
and mistresses OF bel canto our atten-