New-York tribune., 1910-04-28
HAMM MMERSTEIN'S CAREER
Announced at Close Of Last Sea-
son That He Would Go On.

oscar Hammerstein has been regarded
curiously by theatrical managers because
CT his bold ventures. his fantistic notions,
his constant qUerrels with other mana
gers and with actors and his frequent
law suits. His Own opinion. given in
1907 at the close Of the FIRST season Of the
Manhattan opera House. after he had an
nounced that the receipts Of nearly $780,
coo had overbslanced 10 z considerable
extent the expenditures, was expressed IN
these words:
I'm told / am lucky"
Oscar Hammerstein was born ln Berlin
in 1876. Sixteen years later he ran away
from home, and eventually reached Amer
ica in the steerage Of a sailing vessel
Landing at Castle Garden in 1863 lie OBJ
tained employment with manufacturer
Of cigars. who paid him s. or 81 a week
and instructed him in the art or manu-
facture. IN 1870 he had saved enough
money TO start a tobacco trade paper. and
later invented several machines for use
in the trade. From both he derived great
profit
Later he began 10 invest money in real
estate. writing plays as a pastime and be
coming associated in the management OF
the old Stadt Theatre on the Bowerv Then.
I'm 1853. he built his first theatre. the Hsr-
lem opera House. lie lost money In this
venture FOR three years before the tide
turned. lie followed this by projecting
the present Murray Hm Theatre. but sold
al a large profit before more than the
foundations were laid
Continuing his course downtown he built
the Manhattan Theatre. in 34th street,
which he turned into a music hall in part
agreement. he retired and bought the
ground for the Olympia. which. after Il had
been built and lad failed, was turned into
what are now The New York and Criterion
theatres 4 few years prior to this time
lg9g-he had written an opera or two.
Announcing that he had pronted by his
experience and would persevere, he built
the Victoria and the Republic. now the
BeIasco. aud made public plans for a
theatre 90 be called the Drury Lane, to be
/ devoted 20 melodrama End TO be built on
/ land in 3sth street west OF Eighth avenue
Ground was broken IN lS3 A year later
construction was stopped and Mr.. Hammer
stein announced that the property was FOR
sale. Eventually he changed his decision
and COMPLETED the structure which Is called
tho Manhattan opera House.
/ fp rre,soue -oars The imprcsario had
,i,.n ont that opera had paid there. or
/ =, leas,. lad cost him very lutle an view
/ 81 the artistic boon which he was con-
/ ,orrinv upon Tho public At The end OF
Tho prcseut season. however. he came out
uf,r, "a statement that his losses had been
feavv. ON March o.. The night before tho
house closed. De- was called before TIC
curtain. WHEN the applause had died down
4 he said.
..rhe mast season. financially. has been a
ycrv unfortunate one. but there has been
I , delnae 81 musical efforts and surfci'
OF Grand ouera. While my losses have
/ been enormous. ] am proud Of knowing
/ that tros. of my adverssries have been
much .argcr. ~ efforts in the great
cause. however. viii not relax. and an
/ planning for next season the greatest aud
/ most sublime opera for tho pleasure Of nay
/ audience and the honor % myself.
The Manhattan opera company rad sp
ussred frequently m other cities and MI
! Hstninerstein Lad built an opera house 10
, Philadelphia and had announced plans fo'
similar structure iu Brooklyn. chicago
and other large centres. The BrooKiyi
! project Nss allowed 10 die scme Time ago