New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-04-24
Opera for Britons
Thomas Beecham Has Remark
able Season Outlined.

Tie plan Of Thomas Beechsm to give
grand opera I'm England at theatre or popu-
lar prices, started by that composer and
conductor at Covent Garden, has taken
such a firm hold upon English music lovers
that it seems assured of permanency.
Joseph Beecham, the father of Thomas
Beecham. AID himself a musician of no
mean order. is now in this country for the
purpose Of completing the purchase of
large factory in Brooklyn 20 be run in coil
nection with his establishments abroad. ar.
Beecham, ST., Is enthusiastic. but at the
sane time conservative, about the effort Of
his son at Covent Garden and about the
future of popular opera in London.
Il was somewhat surprised, said MI
Beecham recently. that some Of the Amer
lean papers had asserted that Queen Alex
andra did net like 'Elektra.' and not only
the Queen but the public. thought it too
moody and unmuslcal Flatly these state
ments are not true. 'Elektra' was new TO
America as produced at the Manhattan
opera House and new TO England at Covent
Garden. But the public assmilated its nov
elites SO rapidly that what was first curl
osty became actual enjoyment and the five
scheduled performances OF this opera In
England were extended to nine. Tho addi-
tional four being given TO meet popular
demand.
Al the first performance the line or
ticket buyers assembled at s O'clock in the
morning for a performance that began at
$50 O'clock I'm the evening. More than two
thousand people were turned away the first
night and the house was sold to the iuIl-
est capacity on every one of the nine per
formsnces. The King and Queen attended
the first performance and, contrary to Gus
tom. did not leave their box at the fall or
the curtain. but remained to applaud with
an enthusiastic house, which demanded
many curtain calls.
MY son was prevented from producing
.Salorne' by the censor. but he will produce
il IN the fall. Samson and Delilah was
also censored. but the Queen interceded and
that opera was produced.
while 'Elektra' was the great musical
novelty. Ivanhoe' was the spectacular sue
cess. over e, 900 being spent in the staging
The staging was so elaborate that the Soft
music in the storrning of the castle scene
seemed out Of place, and my son will write
something more fitting for the martial SET
tings for its next performance.
THE operate plans for the future arc
made UP to December 81. There will be an
opera comique season at Her Majesty's
Incalre from May y 10 jury ob- AiiC iSP'A
tory VIII be as follows: Tales Of Hoif-
man. Oneubach: 'Werther,' Massenet;
'Hansel und Ciretel.' Humperdinck; 'Shamus
O'Brien,' c. Y. Stanford; 'Muguette,' Ed
rnond Missa (first production in Engiand
II Seraglio.' Mozart; Cost Fan Tutte.' Mo-
zart: lie Nozze di Figaro Mozart; Fra
Diavolo.' Auber: Die Fliedermaus.' Johann
Strauss: Joseph in Egypt Mehul.
re given =
meet suggestions received from many sides
that my son should revive some of the No
Fart operas. The orchestra will consist of
seventy performers.
"The royal opera season viii begin at
Coyent Garden October /, and last until
December 81, the intervening twelve Sun
days being devoted TO orchestral perform
ances. can say frankly. and / think
American musicians will agree with me.
that nowhere has such a varied and inter
esting reper;ory been promised. Ii is as
fellows:
"'Tieland, d'Albcr;: Carmen Bizet
'Koanga,' Delius; Faust. Gounod: 'Hansel
und Gretel. Humperdinck; lie Chemineau,'
Leroux: Don Quixote. Massenet; Colon
ba,' Mckenzie. Magic Flute Mozart; lie
Nozze di Figaro Mozart; III Seraglio. Mo
zart; Boris Godounow.' Nioussorgsky;
Madame Butterfly Puccini; La Bo-
heme Puccini: Henry VIII Saint-Saens
'Sslom6.' Strauss: 'FieStrs.' Strauss
'Fcuersnot.' Strauss. Ivanhoe.' Sullivan
Hamlet Thomas; 'Pique Dame Tschai-
koWsk Aida Verdi: I'alstdh' Verdi
'otello,' Verdi. 'Tannhauser.' Wagner;
Tristan ana Isolde Wagner. Flying
Dutchmsn, Wagner; Die Meistersinger,'
Wagner
The orchestra viii consist of from nine
ty-five 10 us performers. according 10 the
requirements Of each individual opera. DR..
Richter has been engaged TO conduct the
WagneTian performance.
You viii see that Thomas Beecham has
all Of his time filled for this year but ne
will come 10 America next year and brine
his orchestra. You will like his work lie
was all ready 10 come in March, but the
Covent Garden season prevented"