The Detroit times., 1912-09-03
DETROIT is TO Be IN
GRAND OPERA CIRCUIT
Oscar Hammerstein Plans To
Invade Dozen Cities in Ma
tion-wide Plan


NEW YORK, Sept. Oscar Ham.
merstein made announcement at his
ofiees Ia the Victoria theater, OF a
project that will plunge him back
enormous scale, though the plans
need not give the directors OF the
Metropolitan Opera company any
anxiety, for his new scheme does not
contemplate a new invasion OF New
York. Philadelphia or Boston.
When Oscar sold out his Manhat-
tan Opera interests to the Metropoli-
tan an agreement went with the ST.
100000 paid him that he was to es-
chew the Metropolitan's field In grand
opera In the future.
The new Hammerstein plan has the
sizeable motif OF nationalizing grand
opera In America, OF building a chain
OF grand opera houses absolutely alike
In construction and size In as. many
cities In the United States OF a GER
tain importance. whose we1 lthy citi-
zena will signify their substantial
financial support to the project
"Mr. Hammerstein says his present
idea of giving all the large cities In
America adequately and artistically
the most sublime form OF amuse-
ment," has had Its inspiration In the
many solicitations that have come to
him from these communities since his
return from Europe.
II will consider this the crowning
achievement. the pride of my life, IL l
can accomplish II, and | am sure that
I can" he said. II am confident that
at the end OF the year II you step In
this ONCE you will see right on my
desk here the keys 10 fully dozen
new opera houses in as many cities.
Since my return from Europe and
the announcement of the possibility
of my re-entering the field of grand
opera In this country, have been be-
sieged with requests from representa-
tives of many cities OF size to include
theirs In such possible representa-
tions OF grand opera for periods rang
ing from week TO a month.
"All these places are annually Wis
tied by stray companies under the
title OF grand opera organizations
bearing the stamp OF rank provincial
ism. These promoters have demand
ed opera such as they have heard at
the Manhattan and Metropolitan Op-
era houses In New York-real grand
opera.
II will erect, with the assistance OF
those interested In the progress and
welfare OF their city, I'm every city or
prominence outside Of New York, Bos-
ton. Philadelphia and Chicago, an
opera house OF freproof construction.
seating 1000, including 40 or so pri-
vate boxes. The fundamental feature
is that all these houses are to be alike
In size. with noble and imposing ele-
walton. fronting about 125 feet and
having a depth OF about 225.
1T will be seen that the construc-
ton. and embellishments and archi-
tectural features OF these houses be-
ing all alike their cost Is vastly be-
low any estimate for single one.
The existence OF such houses through.
out the country will make the pre-
sentation OF grand opera. In all the
term applies, a certainty. The un-,
dertaking then assumes a national
character. II opens new field and
never-dreamed-of opportunity for the
furtherance OF musical culture In this
country.
Il will prove that from a CONNER
cial standpoint even an institution OF
this kind has promising features.
may mention by way of cursory illus
tration two continuous lines of opera
tive centers to house one to two grand
opera organizations euch season.
"One would comprige Albany, Syra-
cuse, Buffalo, Detroit. Cleveland.
Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, ST. Louis, Kan.
sas City and Denver and the other
Baltimore. Washington Norfolk. Rich
mond Atlanta, Birmingham, Nashville.
Memphis, New Orleans, Galveston,
Houston, Dallas and San Antonio.
Each of these cities will be sure of
an operate season ior two or three
weeks every year tiGat would prove
the great musical event Of the win.
ter,