New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-26
Total Cost To Be $1,000, Oo0.

Tho principal entrance OF the opera
house viii bc on Lexington avenue. and
il is understood that the site and
structure will cost about 81 600. 600
The architect of the house is W. H. Nc
Elfatrick.
II is not as yet known what attitude
the Metropolitan opera Company will
take If Mr. Hammersten attempts to
give grand opera i'm New York. as
neither otto Kahn nor any other Of
the directors would discuss the mat
ter yesterday. In his agreement with
the Metropolitan. made at the time Of
his retirement from the Manhattan
opera House Mr. Hammerstein bound
himself not TO present grand opera in
New York for a period of ten years.
Two months ago he asked the Metro
politan directors TO release him from
this agreement a. far as opera in Eng
lish at popular prices was concerned.
This they refused To do.
In a statement issued last night Mr.
lIammcrstcin declares that his new
venture can in no way hurt the Metro
politan. but that If they believe it will
they can find their remedy in the
courts ~" further SAYS that he is to
run his new opera House under his
own name. Here Is Mr. Hammcrsteins
formal statement.
| purchased the ground. with no other
object than TO erect thereon a home tor
grand opera iu English. some months
ago !. as matter 90 courtesy and moth
ing else asked tn" directors of the Met
ropolitan opera Company 10 facilitate
the production Of grand opera in Eng
lish by mo. They declined. The press
and public were i'm accord with my in
tcntions. and the expressions of need
for an institution for the purpose were
almost unanimous. tn" Held was open
to any ono. and waited for one of tho
many schemes proposed by capita lists
and music lovers To materiallZc. Moth
ing. has com" of u. and evidently moth
INK viii ever come of n. \ building t.
voted to such purpose cannot possibly
be completed below $1,000. 00o. the cap
ital necessary for "a scenic outnt and
costumes will be at least 100000 aud
the responsibilities IN contracts with
singers aud the army of others certainly
viii reach another $500. 900.
The man able TO conduct such an in
stitution evidently cannot be secured at
any price | am a child of New York
rcvei i'm its greatness II has about one
hundred theatres. has a good society
opera house. but has no opera house for
the population at large. our muuIripal-
itv cannot and Will not aid in the found
ing and maintaining OF such an cdificc and
Ia our government such a proposition
never appeals. with what ! am doing /
will earn the appreciation Of my fellow
citizens and the millions of lovers of
music and adheTents of musical culture.
II the Metropolitan opera Company
considers this. my announcement. frank.
open and above board. harmful TO them
contrary To any agreement, they are at
liberty To call upon the courts for aid
and remedy. I'm fact. ! ann making this
public declaration Of not alone my intcn-
tions. but upon my present activity, for
the purpose Of having the courts decide
whether a body of men can monopoliZc
the use OF our language, vocally, IN Il
public performance. what | am doing and
be an injury TO them, out of the greatest
possibility and benefit to the public. let
them continue 10 give opera In French,
Italian and German.
! intend nothing but tho production Of
opera I'm English for the masses. for all
the rich and the lowly. they charge from
ST ~ To- s.: ! intend To- chars" from 20 cents
10 50: they are on Broadway ! am on the
East Side. they have Tor their clientele
the society OF wealth and fashion. want
mine To be the society of Drawn and
muscle.
don't want appreciation I'm furs. silk
and satin the shake of the hand of the
poor when a performance is over salts
fos me | want to make no money. Put
on my headstonc: "iIe did something for
others" Il Will give me free pass for
heaven.