New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-06-19
OPERA COMPANY's TRIUMPH
Metropolitan Has Achieved
Great Success in Paris.

Paris, June S.-The success of the season
of Italian grand opera that the Metropoi-
tan Opera Company is giving at the The-
atre du Chatelet is now practically assured
In fact the success of the New York COM
pany has surpassed the most sanguine ex-
pectations. When the venture was de-
cided upon it was believed by its hackers
to mean a loss of at least $4,000 yet at
present it seems as if the management
would be ahead at the seasons end by
$1,000 Paris has responded warmly to the
experiment, and since the opening night
there has been nothing but praise of the
performances in the newspapers
The success of the season has been
largely due to the clever management OF
Gabriel Astruc. the French musical agent.
who has had charge of the Paris end OF
the enterprise. The dissatisfaction of
number of French singers who had not
been re-engaged for the Metropolitan
caused an outbreak after the first act OF
the opening performance of Aida, an
outbreak added to by a number of persons
who had arrived late and had been unable
to obtain admission during the act.
The next morning Gil Bias" printed an
attack on Mr.. Gatti-CasaZza and Mr.. Tos-
canini, intfmating that they had come to
Paris for the purpose of obtaining govern
mental decoration. The Metropolitan's
management, however. managed to quiet
the troubled waters, and the following day
''Gil Bias printed what was practically
retraction of the story. stating that it
was convinced the sole reason for the sea-
son was the desire of the Americans to
show Paris how grand opera is given in
New York, and further congra tulated them
upon their success.
There has been some criticism regard
ing the prices charged for the perform
ances, the best seats costing 50 francs
each. Yet the public seems willing TO pay
what is asked, and, with the exception of
''Falstaff," all the operas have been large
ly attended On "Caruso nights the house
has been sold out a week in advance.
The performances have been the most
brilliant social affairs of the latter part
of the season. When Caruso sings. in par
ticular, it would be hard to equal the scene
that the old theatre presents. It's tiers of
boxes hold the cream of the Old French
aristocracy. while in the orchestra and
balcony may be seen many of the faces
most familiar in the political and literary
world of the French capital.
One significant fact. however. shows that
the old Partisan prejudice against any
thing foreign in art is by no means dead.
While the notices in the newspapers have
all been favorable. the great French must
cal critics, such as Pierre Lalo and Alfred
Bruneau. have so far refrained from ex-
pressing any opinion regarding the merits
OF the performances. 1t is hoped by the
mana gement that when Puccini's "Manon
Lescaut' is given tomorrow night, for the
first time in Paris. under the personal
direction of the composer and with Ar
turo Toscanini in the conductors chair,
these critics may be induced to attend.
But. despite this one inattention. the sea-
son has taken a strong hold the pub
ic and Caruso and, to almost an equal
degree, Amato are the idols of the hour