New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-14
Musicians Incompetent and
III Paid. and Chorus
Poor, Says Szendrei.
WAS ASHAMED OF
THE PERFORMANCES
Aborns Deny All Charges, as In
spired by Leaders Not Being
Re-engaged Next Season.

Alfred Szendrei. the chief conductor OF
the Century opera Company. issued Il
statement Yesterday in which he violently
arraigned the standard OF the perform
ances at the Century Opera House. He
declared that the musicians in the or
chestra were incompetent for grand opera,
that the chorus was poor, that the re-
hearsals were insufficient and that he
was ashamed OF many of the perform
ances which he had been forced to direct
The statement was brought forth by a
criticism Of his work as a conductor in
n Sunday newspaper. lie stated in con-
clusion that the criticism was perfectly
justified upon superficial analysis Oh
the Century productions, but that the real
fault lay with the organization. which
was utterly inadequate
Milton and Sargent AboIn, the directors
Of the Century Opera Company, have
Issued an answering statement, IN which
they deny all OK Mr. Szendrei's allega-
tions and declare that the attack was
caused by their refusal to re-engage the
conductor and because in his stead they
had engaged Agide Jacchia, the conductor
of the Montreal Grand opera Company
Mr. Szendrei said:
The orchestra Of the Century Opera
House is absolutely inadequate; the zee
OF 81 a man and performance (one-half
Of what the Metropolitan orchestra re-
ceives), does not constitute an inducement
for competent instrumentalists barring
a few exceptions our men had absolutely
10 training for this kind of work and
were totally unfamiliar with even the
most popular operas. At the beginning
OF the season we were even short OF that
inferior material and third parts, es-
pecialIy Tor the wood winds, had to be
omitted altogether.
The chorus is. II possible, even less
satisfactory than the orchestra only
few of our chorus singers ever had any
stage experience. Every opera Is TO them
an absolute novelty. Many have been dis-
couraged by the terrific amount or work
expected Of them: some twenty-five OF
them have dropped out and have not been
replaced.
Lack OF system makes rehearsals prac-
ticallv useless: il is seldom that all the
principals rehearse together, those VINO
sing at night generally miss the morning
rehearsals in order TO spare their
strength; many time singers accepting
one or two-week engagements kept away
from rehearsals until the very last min
ute. The first cast of the week is gener-
ally the only one 20 go through stage
rehearsal. The second and third casts
watch the performance given by the frst
and then . . do their best
"Such are some Of the conditions under
which I have labored TO this day fuliy
realize that 10 a man unacquainted with
them the net results of my eXertions
should have been a reflection on my com
petence."
The Messrs Aborns' reply was this
"A letter written by one Of the con
ductors Of the Century Opera Company
TO the daily newspapers of New YORK
city. defending his own shortcomings by
misstatements regarding the policies ana
conduct OF the Century Opera Compa-.J'
has been brought to our notice.
we deny each and all OF the allega-
tons made in that letter II was I'M
writer was not re-engaged for next season
at the Century opera House.
I'VE have engaged Mr. Agide Jacchia as
leading conductor Of the Century opera
company for its second season, beginning
next September. Mr.. Jacchia was leading
conductor of the Montreal opera Com
pany for four seasons. and has shown
himself to be one OF the most capable
conductors OF grand opera in the world
Since the Century Opera Company
started its career last September we have
watched for opportunities for its I'M
provement. and any changes necessary
and possible for its betterment have been
and are being made. We have recog-
uized faults from time to time, and they
have been remedied soon IS possible
II was stated last night at the Century
that despite his attack Mr. SZendrei would
probably conduct "Tiefiand' on Tuesoay
as he was announced 10 do.