New-York tribune., 1910-07-16
NEW HAMMERSTE|N OPERA
In English, and Measured by
Grand Opera Standards, He Says
Big THINGS AT MANHATTAN
Original Operas, Also New Plays
in Theatre on Roof-To Have
Travelling Company.

Oscar Hammerstein, who returned from
Europe In poor health yesterday. on the
Lusitania, talked at length regarding his
plans for the future. He says he will re-
tain the Manhattan Opera House, and will
establish there during the coming sea son
comic opera in English. measured by the
standards of grand opera. and on a scale
such as has never before been attempted.
He is to organize q grand opera company,
which will begin & tour Of this country in
1911'12, singing in prominent cities, except
Boston. Chicago, Philadelphia and New
York
AR. Hammerstein said he had secured a
site for new grand opera house in Lon
don, where he expects to begin productions
early in 1912 He is building atop the Man
haitian Opera House small theatre for the
presentation of plays OF the intimate type.
Regarding his plans for comic opera at
the Manhattan Mr.. Hammerstein said:
In the first place. 1 will state that I
have not disposed of the Manhattan Opera
House by sale or lease: it remains my ex-
elusive property In my arrangements with
the Metropolitan Opera Company 1 agreed
not to devote the house to grand opera for
a number Of years. 1 also agreed not to In
terest myself in nor conduct grand opera
in Philadelphia, Boston or Chicago, nor
within a radius of twenty miles Of such
cities Outside of that 1 at liberty in
respect to the conduct of grand opera.
For the present I have settled upon
policy for my Manhattan Opera House. 1t
will become a home for comic opera IN
English on a scale never attempted before.
The works I will present are new. 1 will
employ singers to be measured by the
1F e+o Of y nd
IT have secured for production Hans, the
Flute Player of Holland by Chant. which
is at present enjoying great success In
Paris; 'Hashish, an italian opera which [
shall present for the first time on any
stage; 'L'Etoile' CThe starr, and new
opera by Victor Herbert and Mrs. Young,
in which Mile. Trentini. a former member
of the Manhattan opera Company. will ap-
pear.
The first of the operas that l shall pro-
duce will be Hans with which l shall
begin my season on September L. Among
the singers whom I have already engaged
are Miss Sophie Brandt, well known on the
comic opera stage, and who has been study
ing in Europe during the last year; Felicia
Lyme, a young coloratura; Robert Matt
land an actor -barytone Of Covent Gar
den Opera House; NJ. Chadel French
barvtone singing in English, and G. Pollak
tenor formerly connected with comic
opera productions here. In the cast OF
Hans there will be fifteen principal roles,
an orchestra Of forty-five players and the
largest chorus and ballet ever seen IN
comic opera"
Mr. Hammerstein was reticent as 10 MS
plans for grand opera in this country. Be
vond the statement that he would assemble
a company and produce operas in the cities
Of this country outside Of Boston, New
York Philadelphia and Chicago, he would
not go
When asked for details in connection
with plans for grand opera in London ne
confined himself TO this statement:
NV project for the erection of an opera
house in London has advanced TO such
state that I may predict its completion
early in 1872 It will stand in close connec-
ton with the projected tour OF the grand
opera company in the United States"
Before he begins the coming season at
the Manhattan the house Will be renovated
from top TO bottom. Mr.. Hammerstein
said. And on the roof a theatre seating
200 persons IS wellnigh completed This
theatre will according TO Mr.. Hammer
STEMS present plans. be used for the pres
entatfon Of plays Of the intimate type. But
Mr. Hsmmerstein is waiting to see just
what effect the new Pennsylvania station
Will have on the theatregoing public before
he determines definitely 10 what use this
theatre will be dedicated.
Mr. Hammerstein complained Of Ill
health. but, strange to say, he feels that
It is due TO rest. He said;
Il am f7fty-seven years Old and / have
thirty wears more of work before me.
shall never take another vacation-it does
not agree with me-
When asked If he considered any feature
Of Mr.. Hammersteins plans for the future
to be inconsistent with his contract with
the Metropolitan Opera Company, Otto h
Kahn, director, said;
Everything Mr.. HamInerstein has said
or done so far is entirely in keeping with
his agreement with US. I am entirely con-
vinced that he is living UP TO the letter
and the spirit of his contract