New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-22
HAMMERSTE|N'S VOICE
SOUNDS SINGERS PRAISE
Impresario Says He Has a Re-
markabIe Group Of Stars for
New Opera House.
MARY GARDEN NOW A NO. z
New Soprano, He Says, Sur
passes-Tetrazzini, Too, Out
noted by Newcomer,
Manager Asserts.

The most remarkable group Of operate
stars ever assembled. according to Oscar
Hammersteln, will launch the American
National Grand Opera House on It's ca
reer. which begins November 10, In its
new building at Lexington avenue and
10Th street and which. again according
to Mr. Hammerstein, bids fair To eclipse
any musical successes heretofore achieved
In New York. When seen at MS theatre
in 40 street. Yesterday afternoon. Mr..
Hammerstein declared that the taste Of
the New York public had compelled him
10 bring together the best singers IN the
world. regardless OF cost New YORK
will not stand medocrity he said, nor
, is there any city In the world which COM
pares with It In taate or musical culture.
lis demand for the highest musical
achievement Is so great as to be irr'sisu-
bic in this city. and this demand, rs wei
as my own efforts. has been responsible
for drawing together the singers VINO
are 10 make next season the most nota-
bic in the history Of American opera.
'In the nucleus OF my organization
placed under contract are Blanca BARR
entos. Chenal Victoria Fer. Comma Bel
Nncioni and her daughter Blanca, Dora,
Henry Weldon and Maryini Renaud VEGA
Vezzanl and Orville Harold Nine. Bar
rientos is without "A peer as coioratuTa
soprano. / presented the comparatively
unknown TetrazIni to the American pup
-Rarrientos surpasses her
"Chena! II occupying the first position
OF lyric soprano In France. professionally
alternating in the National Grand opera
and the opera Comlque In Paris. Win
out dctra citing from the merits OF Mary
Garden. who IS one 81 my discoveries,
Chenal SURPRISES her Gemma Beilln'loW
* certainly the greatest living Italian
dramatic soprano In dramatic ability
She ranks with Reruhardt Her daughter
Blanca f. one OF the daintiest and most
Tart.stic light sopranos. She has future
With Doria the American public is al
ady'familiar-one Of the leading French
contraItos in nv Manhattan Opera COM
psny."
Mr. HammeIstcin then drew from his
pocket prospectus Of his enterprise and
read from IL. with evident satisfaction.
that by special Arrangement with NJ
Messenger. the director of the National
! Grand Opera. Of Paris. ! am enabled 10
present Marvini. the great basso. to the
! American public. Vocal dignity and i'm
posing personality will am sure.
speedily secure for him the admiration Of
the public Henry Weldon was FOR many
years the first basso profundo OF the
opera at Brussels. His engagement with
me means impressive success. And Re
naud-the same great actor barytone who
/ for four seasons at the Manhattan opera
/ House earned the deepest regard OF the
press and public"
Mr. Hammerstein then put down the
prospectus and praised his two tenors
Vezzani and Harrold-with great warmth.
Harold is already knowa." he said :
"hls position to-day IL that OF the great
est American tenor. For Ve2zan | pre-
dict sensational success. expect tri-
umphal success with Alic. Gentle as car
men. As 10 my conductor. Baroni, ne Will
be hailed as field marshal Of the or
chestra"
MIR Hammerstein said that his interests
in his controversy with the Metropolitan
! Opera House were being well cared for,
and that there was no chance OF the older
| institution interrupting the success OF his
venture. In closing the interview Mr..
Hammerstein declared that his valuation
OF the singers he had secured could not.
In view Of his previous success as a critic
Of vocal talents, be regarded as Ham
boyant advertising" but, rather, as the
! sober judgment Of one whose previous
experience and success entitled him to
! speak with authority