The sun., 1919-10-29
GERMAN OPERA
SEASON ENDED
BY PROMOTERS
Plan Abandoned to Sing All
Except the Leading Role
in English.
ARTISTS NOT TO DISBAND
Failure to Get Permanent In
junction and Opposition Of
Public the Reasons.

The Star Opera Company, prevented
By the city administration from con-
tinuing it's performances in the Ger
man language. reversed yesterday its
decision to give them in English. The
Lexington Theatre was closed and the
whole programme abandoned until
more propitious time.
II developed that the company had
hoped no objection would be raised
# the leading role was sung in Ger
man and all the others in English.
The directors were advised yesterday
by their attorney, Max ID. Steuer. that
this would not be possible under the
Hylan code and the decision of Justice
Giegerich vacating a temporary in
junction obtained by the company
from Justice Blur. The directors then
made this statement:
1T was decided TO stop the pro-
posed performance of German opera
at the Lexington Theatre and to abide
by the decision of the court. The di-
rectors held that even IL opera in Eng
lish were to be produced by the Star
Opera Company before the treaty of
peace is signed the performances
would be open 10 attack by people who
are opposed to opera in German for
reasons not to be discussed.
To Keep Forces Together.
The board OF directors further de-
cided to maintain the charter Of the
Star Opera Company and to try to
keep the operatic forces together. hop
ing that If the time arrives it will be
prepared to complete the proposed
programme. The modus of refunding
of money paid for tickets for perform
ences not given will be decided to-
morrow.
"As to the production of German opera
In the English language. this proved to
be impossible according to the contracts
made with the proprietors of the Lexing-
ton Theatre, which was leased for the
production of opera in German only.
For the penefit of the many artists
of the company. who will be in need fol-
lowing the discontinuance Of the per-
formances, a benefit concert in English
will be arranged by singers of the Star
Opera Company as well as of other the
atrical and operatic enterprises. The
concert will be held next Saturday night
al the Lexington Theatre"
The ODerptTa announced for last night
was Won Webers THE Free Shooter"
t'Der Freischuetz"). Apparently the
patrons CT the theatre we're not wildly
excited by the prospects Of translated
comedy, for only a few hundred persons
appeared to buy tickets.
Hope Feeling VIII Subside.
At the theatre a representative OF the
Management said the opera had been
cancelled as a matter OF policy, as the
public had shown its disapproval, and
that when the peace treaty was ratified
II was hoped that the feeling against the
German language would abate.
The fact is that the general director
and star of the company. Otto Goritz.
made up his mind on Monday that Ger
man opera in English was not feasible at
such short notice.
Exactly where the company stands
financially could not be learned last
night The directors will go over the
books to-day. In a court hearing last
week Mr.. Steuer said that the theatre
had been leased for eight weeks at
S2500 a week that salaries of artists
ranged from $50 10 $3.50 a performance
and $1,000 a week, and that $43. 900 had
been spent up to the night of the OPEN
ing October "a.
Mr. Steuer said that no attempt would
be made to appeal from Justice Giege-
riehs decision.