New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-28
HAMMERSTE|N RETURN IS
Leaves England Unexpectedly
on the Lusitania.
He IS STILL MYSTERIOUS
Hints That Option on New York
Site May Be for a Vaude-
g.. vile House.


York to-day on the EIstania. He was
not on the passenger list, and said
II was only last night that he had de-
cided to go to America. II might as
we'll visit New York and see how
things are going there" he added. He
viii return TO London In September.
Though Mr.. Hammerstein in d
speech on the closing night of the
summer season announced from the
stage a winter season Of grand
opera at the London Opera. House, his
Intentions still form ample material f0r
speculation. Mr. Hammerstein has not
remained OF, the same mind for mo-e
than few hours day. lie announced
winter season. and then declared
there would be no winter season with
out public support IN tho form OF sub
stantial subscriptions. Then he with
drew his ultimatum and promulgated
IL again, and withdrew 1t and promul-
gated It until the count was lost.
one OF his subordinates was asked
to-day which was ahead, II will or 4
won't" IT'S q dead heat" he replied.
In the mean time comes a report
from America that Mr.. Hammerstein
has bought a site on AID street and VIII
build another opera house there, de-
spite the contract with the Meuopoli-
tan Opera Company.
"How do they know It's not for a
vaudeville house," he said, when asked
about he report. ~ am the only
member Of tho Managers Association
vho has a right to build u valuable
house between Goth and Goth streets,
he CONTINUED.
,'Then you have bought a site?" he
was asked.
IT have an option on one he SAID.
Add 10 this the interesting item that
n few weeks ago Mr. Hammerstein de-
voted three hours OF a rainy afternoon
10 discovering the London correspond
ant OF Musical America 1t is I'M
questionable that he would Ike 10 Do
back In America. F'orty-second street
more often slips from his tongue than
Piccadnly or the Strand.
An American Concert Tour.
Another authentic report OF plans
that are turning over in his mind con-
cerns n concert tour which he may
mako IN America. The only singers
ne holds under positive contracts are
Orville Harold and Felice Lyme bun
he has tentative contracts with otheFs
that leave him free TO utilize. their SER
vices Mt his pleasure, and so he, IS con-
s,dering an American concert tour Win
them. They also will form the nucleus
for his opera company. il he finally de-
cides on a winter season.
His thought IS that the winter sea-
son may bring him out clear, though H.
cannot hope for profit, with last
winters experiences as guide. he
can reasonably expect somewhat larger
audiences this year. and only siight
addition 10 the box office receipts WouId
balance the books on the winter sea-
son. II was the summer season that
cost Mr.. Hammerstein so dearly. his
product,on OF THE Children Of the
Don" alone entailed big loss.
To be sure. Lord Howard dc Walden
contributed $4,000 toward expenses
but they ran to thousands more. when
Mr.. Hammcrstein had TO stand. One
item was twenty-five rehearsnls or the
orchestra. The receipts were almost
nothing for the first production. The
best night he had during the season
was the last, when people came 20 hear
whether no would try again.
Lord Howard de Walden made stiil
another contribution 20 Mr.. Hammer
STEMS career. He was anxious 10 have
THE Children of the Don" produced,
and besides contributing $4,000 tow
ard expenses, he was shown by Mr..
Hammerstein tho advantage Of putting
$4,000 into boxes OF the London Opera
House. They were TO form the basis OF
Mr.. Hammersteln's subscription list,
and Lord Howard was 10 dispose Of
them among friends. But he went on
his wedding tour and forgot the boxes,
which remained empty all the season,
instead Of towering nightly and at
tracing more subscribers.
Anothsr Now Venture.
Grand opera In London has been an
expensive venture for Mr.. Hammer
stein. but the little experiment with
1.-THE Children OF the Don" cost Lord
Howard de Walden some $4,000. !
Meanwhile, Mr.. Hammerstein has !
promised between seasons to make use /!
Of the big house In Kingsway. begin |
ming In tho middle OF August, ana here
"a the scheme he has in mind, though |
no one knows whether IT will mate
rialize or not:
He IL thinking OF putting in n false !
floor, 10 raise the orchestra stalls on I,
level with the stage, flooring over tho !
orchestra space, building n central !
raised stage, and giving promenade |,
concerts with Fritz Ernadly as con- !
ductor. Little tables will be placed all |
around, and the promenade will take !
in both the stage and the pit. Admis |
sion is to be n shilling, and presumably !
a bar will be depended on to make the |
venture pay, for the expenses will be |
between $4,000 and $4,000 a week. AIr |
L., oil T.