New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-27
weak Spots in
0pera orsani&a-
zion Strength
enedand Pros
psct Is Good.

u. Century Opera Company has
.vssred upon the second season
.iv,strstion to the wants Of the
s.s-v.u ia popular opera in English
n va have faith in the artistic inn
q. Of the multitude, in the doctrine
~. ,hg art of the future belongs to
~ ,sopie. will follow the career Of
<, Central Park West institution with
,.rpt prayers for success. The fact
-. tssre arc many who hold that
-. has been, is and ever will be
=. rIaything Of the aristOeraey. VIII
s.,sr the idealistS Of democracy.
-. hsl;eye that in the presentation
~. .,.r. the masses will find an ar
80 heaven which will work verita-
u, ssiritusl rebirth.
/. i thea Of peculiar qualification
,-ogress can be reported in
4, strengthening of the weak places
\. FIRST season. In the very ele-
81, IN which any popular opera com
,,,.t be strong if it is to survive
:. century last year proved weak Its
.,.,tra vas Of very poor quality, its
-, inadequate and its general en-
~. too often lifeless and DIS
,,.sd There were indeed many gooo
s.rns,ees. but on the whole TINS
-, 10 the verdict of the first sea-
Vet the weeks opening, Romeo
"a +be succeeding Carmen" proved
~. the Aborns have learned their
-, The Century now possesses an
.-.s.stra of very good quality
S,-us Of ample size, which both knows
~. % sing and does SC, ard gen
u, shirt in the production which Is
aa,t. gratifying. In short, the com
,y has now real organization
wator Aborr. in talk last week with
T,;b,,De representative, frankly &C
,,.vledged the deficiencies Of his com
,,,r last season, but said that they
,,rp largely due to the insufficient 'lH'
,reD 70 preparation. The experiences
- season and the five months al
,,vs5 for preparation for another Mr.
,born declares, have made possible a
-, Improvement in the organiSa-
ion. an improvement which VIII con-
tnue. Iva unaware
A. ne deficiencies OF our fiTst sea
an said Mr.. Aborn. I'VE lelt lneHL
,Ls1 INIT we did not have the time 70
-a-,o3,, them. Now things are dlher-
.St We have greatly strengthened lnS
,-ch.stra We have weeded out ana
s55oS ~ our chorus until 1t IS now a
5sSr We arc proud of. We have WORKED
,yss the details Of stage manageneL
nj insisted upon a general entnGsl1
ss,ic evaporation Of all concerned. l
81 that the result speaks Tor ltsell'
s0pr nIap this year Of giving Two
,,.Tss a week has manifold advantages
80 tbe ono We used last season. IL
.S,ss each opera one cast, when en-
ne. ne 10 give much greater time 70
,.Scsrsal IS the same singers never
ave 10 siag and rehearse during the
,'mt day. In addition, 1t gives tne
,gbsc,ibers assurance that all Will near
tie same cast. -. ;.s o.
f..t ,r;,b ,ts As ii has with every one
I'M We do not look for 2 deficit oil the
80 of the one OF last year, inasmucn
i our season is shorter and we arc
ewing only the popular operas. AltLuI
- L an very we'll, but it Is sulcldai
a Give the public works 1t does hos
vsSt "TieAsnd" WAS an example Oh
,Sis last wear. All the critics declared
\ one of the best productions Oh tne
ssssop. but the public proved suDllIheiS
hdiferent TO its merits. Inc peOpLe
want the old war horses, Nerdl, uS-
tpi. Gounod. Mascagni, LeoncaNdIlV' =,
AS IN singers. our contracts were All
u,de before the war broke out, ana
. h does not help US that prominent
ipgerE are now trying to wedge their
vsy into the Century, wiling "
etps salaries from one-hali 10 Ose
quarter of those they originally ue
handed. So the war has 1alIea 70 a,S
m in the one quarter from whlch alu
night be expected. However, we IN
Tend 10 proceed and succeed war VI
no var. e,o,
gThe majority of our performance
ihis wear will be in English, put Two
aiebts q week will be devoted 20 the
original languages. While we belleVe
tsst me majority of our patrons wish
opera in the vernacular, we reallze
hat there are many who do not, ana
re wish to please all. We arc look
ng forward 20 a year OF accomplish
msnt.'