New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-06
The Past and Future
of Metropolitan Opera
The Records and Lessons of Twenty-six Seasons-Art
and Commercialism-Fatality Among Novees-A
Need of Revivals-Foreign and American Singers
By II. E. KREHBlEL.

OUR review Of the Metropolitan Opera OF l9l69H
fortnight ago attention called the fact that while the
announcement that had broken out in Europe in August
1914 filled the souls Of the directors OF the opera with
apDehension the outcome given under the sign
OF Mars was altogether eassuring There loss in money
which worked hardship the operating company but no des
in the performances Instead indeed there was marked
improvement in energy indicated by the addition OF new works
repertoy Tn the the enterprise began to feel
the prosperity brought classes OF the popua
ton pehaps all but professional mem by the trade and
the tide of good kept rising until reached hghwaer
mark the recently ended The success achieved IN TINS
however, chiefly financial There nothing in the
activities OF Mr. Gatts organization to mark progress toward
higher artistic which had prevailed he became
sole director OF the company years ago Least OF all was
there anything compare with the ideal which inspired the dec
thirty years when under the patronage
OF the owners Opera House. the educational work in
progress which resulted in giving stability the best elements in
the institution to-day During all this regime re-
lance has been placed upon the methods which have long pre-
vailed to the sorrow OF who would like to
institution the Metropolitan Opera processes TO be
devoted to other those which be merely sordd
and commercial The determining influence seems largely to have
been to CRAFTY the OF boXhoders and subscribers to let
them their avorc singers often possible IN the roles IN
which steadily dcgeneratng musical taste considers them most
effective
II the Metropolitan Opera Company chooses to give opera on
purely commercial basis and the public supports in the gener-
eros fashion Xcmped the results OF the season Just ended 1t
might seem to nobOd affair except that OF the purVeyos ana
patrons of the entertainment But this true: The COM
pany has always been loud its potestaon5 OF lofty artistic
purpose presented itself the attitude OF an unselh popular
educator and promoter OF high in its peadngs and arguments
when invoked the aid OF the to prevent the reenry OF
Oscar Hammersten operate field 1t i'll TRUTH public
institution though business point OF view private
corporation and right that all lovers OF musical art should be
concerned in its welfare since that welfare also theirs 1t IS
from this viewpoint that purpose inquire into some OF the
lessons which history OF the institution teaches, IN the hope
that there NAV found the study guidance Tor the
future That future is decidedly uncertain than seemed
to be in August We then peace with the world with
no apprehension OF being drawn into the conflict between the
Allies and the Central Powers We at with Germany
and confronted with obligations toward ourselves and allies
which were dreamed OF thenobgatOns husband all
resources to may become bring victory
to ourselves with whom allied to sacrifice
things first all Injuries and pleasures the altar Of
patriotic duty What will be the effect upon the opera Are
there changes which made artistic beemen The
popular like Caso and Farra not endure forever
shall the system which has made them clog upon the improve
cnt OF the popular afflicted the rperoy with caapsy
imaginary obligation artists belonging the enemy people:
Can we dispense Germans and still retain the
tory which give almost all the stability which 1t has
These questions which may prohaby be pondered by all
wewshcs of opera They be most inteigenty dis
cssed survey OF what Mr. Gatt and his forces have accom-
pshed during the last years record OF which shown in
tabulated form this page.