New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-01
TELLS PROFITS IN OPERA
Hammerstein Says He Lost Only
in Manhattan'S Last Season.
GOT ss25,ooo TO QUIT
Abandons London Because He
Cant Conform to English
Sentiments and Habits.

Oscar Hammerstein. whose doings az Z
manager and owner OF theatres and opera
houses have been noted from time 70
time IN the newspapers. felt hurt yestsr-
day at the many rumors ahoat regarding
his financial affairs, his London opera
house and his Victoria Theatre in New
York. To set them at rest he took the
public into his confidence by issuing tho
following statement:
During the last few days ] have been
made a target by various people to my
rights 10 dispose Of my Victoria Theatre
and also as to. the financial re ults Of my
past FIVE years
The references made 70 the financial
results of my conduct of Grand Opera,
forces me land for the nrst time In my
artistic as we'll as business career) TO
give out the following statement:
The season OF Grand opera. per 'onaiiy
inaugurated and conducted by ME In my
my own risk and without the aid, flnan-
cially or otherwise. OF anybody and III
face OF the most powerful influences ana
antagonism of the Metropolitan Opera
Company. resulted in z profit OF slOg:Opo.
tion with the conduct Of the Phiiadel-
phia Opera House, which I erected at q
cost Of over 100000, and upon which
| took mortgage ~ but 100000,
showed . clear profit Of $4,000.
The third season, l909-1Q. again
brought a result OF $4,000 In profits.
The fourth season, l9l0-ii, closed with
a loss of $4,000. The loss occurred
through. my inausdration OF a summer
through the competition created by the
Metropolitan Opera Company in the erec-
ton Of third Opera House (the New
Theatre) In New York and the increase
week
7 gave six performances each week az
the Manhattan: the metropolitan gave
seven ar t1f Mesrop ftoSstbs sha .r rSn
performances we're given each week: the
repertoire became exhausted I am cred
itably informed that the losses the Met
ropolitan incurred during the first three
seasons of my opposition we're at the
ra te oT $500 900 sea son, and during the
last season over 100000.
During these years the Metropolitan
Opera Company made frequent attempts
attention to my Operate affairs II have
never been known to have left my stage
during any performance l became Ill
Coupled with this. were depressing fam"
opportunities OF the Metropolitan Opera
MANAGERS.
They purchased my Philadelphia Opera
House and all OF my interests In Grand
opera analrS ana my retirement from
the Grand Opera field In New York. Phil
adelphia, Chicago and Bottom for ten
years for the sum OF 81 100000. De-
Quoting from this the mortgage of $500.
600. on my Philadelphia Opera House,
was paid b. the Directors OF the Metro.
politan Opera Company the sum Of Ss26,-
900 In cash and notes.
then erected and still own the London
Opera House. The winter season was an
absolute success. While the profitg
were. In comparison to the Ideas OF
profits In London not large, a satisfac-
tory balance remained
The summer season was disastrous.
London cannot support two opera Houses
In the summer. did not withdraw from
London on account of the losses Of the
summer season. but on account OF the
irnrussLbility of my conforming myself
with the particular habits and senti-
nents OF the English, especially az an
American.
AS am not aware OF the committsl
OF any offence Of expatriation from my
own country. I abandoned London ana
London Opera.
The published business affairs OF the
Victoria are grossly exaggerated. The
competition OF the multitude OF theatres.
the ever increasing taxes, and the enor-
nous cost OF the performances leave but
medium profits. | possess the Manhar-
tan Opera House. Republic (Belasco),
Victoria and the London Opera House:
they are the result Of my own individual
industry and labor.