The sun., 1917-11-02
GERMAN OPERA
UNDER, BAN BY
METROPOLITAN
Management Also Dispenses
With Services of Gadski
and GOritZ.
DAMROSCH BACKS MUCK
IndOrses Act Of "Loyal Prus-
sian" in Refusing to Play
"Star Spangled Banner"
BACKS MUCK

German opera will not he sung at
the Metropolitan this winter. While
ofYicial announcement to that effect has
not yet been made, and In fact the list
Of operas already announced for the
coming season includes the works OF
German composers. the directors OF the
Metropolitan have reached the conclusion
that the performance Of German opera
here might have bad political effect
and be used in Germany as evidence
that the United States is divided In
sentiment regarding the war. Patriotic
motives induced the directors to avoid
anything which might give abroad the
slightest appearance OF sympathy Tor
an enemy cause.
Otto H. Kahn, chairman OF the boar
Of directors, refused last night to make
any statement in regard to the mat
ter, but II is thought the decision of
the directors Is not a recent one and
that II had no connection with the con-
troversy stirred up over the refusal OF
DR.. Karl Muck to allow THE Star Span
gled Banner to be played at the re-
cent concert OF the Boston Symphony
Orchestra in Providence.
The services of at least two OF the
Metropoiitan's singers have been dis
pensed with because OF their avowedly
pro-German attitude. The contract Of
Nine. Gadski was not renewed when
II expired at the close Of last season,
and Otto Goritz will not be heard at
the Metropolitan this season. although
his contract had some time to run.
II was said yesterday. In explanation
Of the fact that German operas had been
Included among those announced for a
performance during the coming season.
AAAA kar -, ~,
directors to announce any hard and
fast programme for the season. Tho
list Of operas announced is merely a
tentative selection from which depart
| ures may be and almost invariably are
! made.
Meanwhile the controversy over the
| propriety Of DR.. Muck's refusal TO have
| the national anthem played at the close
} of the Boston Symphony concerts and
the support Of his attitude by Major
; Henry L. Higginson. long the financial
! backer Of the organization, continues &c
, rage.
| Major Higginson has cor-ributrd &c
! the Chronicle a statement outlining the
| reason for his action and tho whole
: question l. likely 10 he threshed out a.
the next meeting of the board of trustees
of the Brooklyn Academy Of Arts am
Sciences, which IL arranging TO present
the Boston symphony Orchestra at tn,
/ Academy OF Music on November 3. Tn,
trustees will meet on Thursday neat
and II Is understood that a demand vii
then be made by certain of the members
that the national anthem be played a
| the nd Of the concer'.
In defending his position Major Hig
ginson said:
THE orchestra embraces about twelve
n"tionalities and since the beginning o
the war the members have been pleas
ant TO each other. as always. and tn
public has been content and has re
garded the concerts as a matter OF ar
and not OF nationality. The same is tru
Of the players. Or. Muck ev!dentl.
takcs that view. All these men hav
minded their own business and hay
done nothing TO injure our country o
its affairs speak Of what | know
Why should DR. Muck give to the publ
his views about this war" II you wer
earning your bread IN Germany at thi
time should you welcome. the chance {
publish your opinions and FEELINGS"
Walter pa mrosch .s also lined up wit
the supporters of Or Muck, whom h
chara oterizes as a loyal citizen Of Prus
sia" Mr.. Darnrosch said
ut seems to me that il would he a
injustice to Or Muck to expect hr
to conduct The star Spangled Banne,
in this country at the present time II
~ a loyal citizen OF Prussia and IL I
this country not by his own desire bu
at the request Of Major Higginso,
patron OF the Boston symphony Orchos
ira, who Is an American ~ undoubtc
loyalty and who certainly would not as
Dr. Muck to act az conductor OF n
orchestra II he were not absolutely sur
OF Dr Muck's personal honor and dis
creation in this very trying situation"