New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-08
HAMMERSTE|N EXPLAINS /
OPERA CIRCUIT PLANS.
Each Community Must Provide
Site and Guarantee Accept
ance of Mortgage Bonds.
SUGGESTS TWO "WHEELS"
Auditoriums Are to Seat 1000
and Stage Construction Is TO
Be Uniform, with Dress
ing Room Dormitories.

Further details OF oscar Hammerstein S
project to build house for grand opera
in every prominent city in the country
were announced by the impresario yes
terday. The most important part OF the
statement concerns the requirements Mr..
Hammerstein places upon the cities indi-
vidually.
| He stipulates that q site must be FUR
nished. and that he be guaranteed the ac-
ceptance of first mortgage bonds for
| liberal amount, with a generous rate or
interest for ten years. With these condi-
| lions in consideration, he estimates that
| the cost of erection of each grand opera
house Quilt singly) will be 10000. In his
announcement he says:
! To this now add: Theatres in this
country have been built by individuals
according TO their own notions or that
of an architect Most OF these were en-
tirely unfamiliar with theatrical AFFAIRS.
| There are hardly two theatres alike in
construction in this country. either In
size of seating capacity or size of stage.
The result has often been an unjust IN
sebd OF the on and
niticence ION the road" as II is beinS
called is an impossibilty almost on &C.
count OF variations I'm construction or
| the theatres in existence. In one town
the theatre has an unremanerative seat
Ing capacity and very large stage.
The next town has the reverse. The re-
suit is a. cheapening and artistic diminu-
uoE OF the attraction, unlike the one
originally shown on metropolitan stage.
\ community (reslding individuals or
corporations in sympathy with my In
tentions is required TO grant and TO make
over 10 me or construction company
headed by me. a desirable plot of ground
measuring 12j feet front and 225 feet deep,
located on a wide thoroughfare. prefer
ABLY on corner, II not, abutting on
street or alley I'm the rear; The erection
OF an opera house. imposing and dlgni-
fled, on such plot Of ground will imme-
diately increase the value Of all adjoin-
Ing properties, if not OF all real estate
values in the city. so that the grant OF
this one plot vastly repays itself.
Furthermore. ! must be guaranteed the
acceptance Of first mortgage bonds for
liberal amount. considering the cost and
expenditure for the structure. at a most
liberal rate Of interest, running ten years
covering the land and building, subject to
all existing customs In the building trade,
and loans on real estate. and subject also
TO conditions insuring the use Of the edi-
flee primarily to grand opera.
The erection Of theatrical structures.
freproof and substantial. Is subject 10
special laws and conditions enforced by
the building bureaus OF each city. There
fore, calculation OF the real cost OF CON
Built singly without duplicate In other
cties) the cost of such structures would
probably reach an expenditure of about
100000.
Apply the X-rays Of solid business in
vestigation on this proposition the Ques
ton is in place. How will this structure
pay interest and taxes?'
Not touching for the moment the ques-
ton OF the primary use Of the building
for grand opera presentations-the fact
Of the existence and the chain OF such
buildings on connecting railroad lines and
centres. their equal dimensions OF audi
forum and stage and working facilities
insures their occupancy by all pretentious
and dignifed dramatic. vocal and orches-
tral attractions travelling through the
country In preference TO any existing hall
or theatre. For local singing and other
societies, for balls and civic assemblages
opportunity OF publicity for local talent.
dormant In obscuritv. a home is created.
All in all. the revenues from these
sources alone insure the payment OF inter
est on the mortgage bonds and capitalize
ton without any doubt.
lie suggested houses all alike in size.
seating two Thousand, with dressing
rooms which could also serve az dorrni-
tories for the chorus, musicians and extra
personnel. BY way Of Illustration ne men
toned two prospective circuits, one COM
prising Albany, Syracuse, Buffalo, De-
troit. Cleveland Pittsburgh. Cincinnati.
ST Louis. Kansas City and Denver; the
other comprising Baltimore. Washington.
ham. Nashville. Memphis, New Orleans,
Galveston, Houston, Dallas and San An
tonic.