New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-22

Italian Sells Cakes by Day, Is
ImpreSariO by Night.

The color and interest and mystery Of
the foreign colonies Of New Yorks great
East Side have been exploited by a hum
dred writer's in thousand different
! forms Anarchy. socialism, Russian reyo-
lutionists. the Yiddish theatre, the shirt
waist worker, the gunman, are themes
of everyday conversation in English
speaking circles. For the newspaper free
1 lance the East Side has been very COL
conda, mine of ineXhaustible resource.
The East Side Is New York's one TO-
mantle corner. and those who love adj
venture do well to Journey thitherward.
Ii may be that grand opera is consid-
cred as a thing apart. as sport solely
for the rich. a function to be thought
about and seen only at the great Broad
way temple OF song, which has blinded
the average journalistic adventurer TO the
very real and TO its livers, very vital
operatic life enjoyed by Tony who blacks
YOUR boots each morning, and Angelo
without whom even big Bill' Edwards
would be unable TO save the city's streets
from succumbing 70 dust and corruption.
Little though you reck it Tony may
have The spirit If not the voice OF Caruso,
and Angelo may desire to be second
Toscanini. There is. too. on the East
side an Italian Oscar Hammerstein' who
gives Grand opera because he likes to,
between whites standing behind couh-
ter and selling cakes and sweetmeats 10
get the money to pay his tenors ana So
pranos. Antonio Ferrara is the impre-
sario's name, and he runs comoina-
ton pastry shop and cafe at NO. Sj
Grand street
A Tribune reporter who happened III al
the cafe last week found Mr.. Ferrard
very busy. About him were piled huge
beans Of Neapolitan cakes and candles.
On the walls were pictures of Garloaldh
an Italian cavalier with guitar sinsihs
TO a lady on balcony, and very large
ano conspicuous notice, reading: Posi-
tivelv No Smok" Mr.. Ferrara himself
a large man, with a large, black mus
tache and an equally large diamond rihs'
stood behind the counter selling CAKES
and candy to his customers. In the rear
Of the cafe was a billiard room ana
number Of tables. at which were seatsu
several sons Of sunny Naples and Sicilla'
drinking coffee and playing cards.
AZ we have stated, Signor Ferrara was
very busy. and his conversation, carried
IN between customers. was fragmentary.
signor Ferrara's latest venture, me
Roval Italian Grand opera Company, had
tho riobt before opened a weeks season
az the West End Theatre, in 18th street
.nd q was about this that the reporter
wished to speak.
"It is a fine company" said MT. fer-
rara. 81 have managed many companies.
| hogan TO manage twelve years ago
have lost much money. but l love art
What / lose ] make here In my care
| make big business now. All Italians
buy cakes of Naples for Christmas ana
7 make more cakes OF Naples than all
others. l send them everywhere. all over
tho country. | sell cakes and l give
opera"
Al this moment a customer entered ana
asked for a "posta -eale imbattita ala
Mascagni," which, when produced APP
reared to the prosaic reporter to be
cream puff. This purchase was followed
hv a larger cake possessing the name OF
a ."Torrongini ALA Michaelangelo," show
ing indeed that Sgnor Ferrara was a true
lover Of the arts.
and your artists" asked the reporter
"where dc you find them?'
Signor Ferraras hands shot out most
comprehensvely.
Find them?" he cried. I'm Grand street
alone there are three tenors, six soprani'
a contralto, and barytoni and bassi
enough for three companies! Half Italy
sings, and half that sing come to Amer
lea. Mr. Gatti-Casazza must go to Europe
TO get his artists. If | wish them all
must do is to call from behind my counter
here: Uro tenorer and subito two come
from behind there in the billiard room,
and il | call loud enough. three from the
street. In Grand street opera comes |
easy"
Signor Ferrara then sold ''Papolini J
ALA Caruso' and box of Fruit conditi