Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-05-26
ORCHESTRA HOME
IS NOW ASSURED
Edward Box Heads Group That
Leases Academy Of Music
for Five Yeats
OPERA TO PLAY THERE

Predictions that next season prob
abby, would be the biggest ono musically
~ ,the history of the city were maIlc to
day ~ Nresult Of the achievements Of
,';Ssssny fsea was learned that no, only
thf Phil, 1elphia Orchestra. hut tho
Mftropolit1n Grand Opera as we'll.
would be ahong the assured musical AT
trqctions fSr the city. This news do.
yecped at meeting Of the Philadpl-
phia Orchestra Association.
Edward Bck announced that n fvc.
year lease on the Academy had been
obtained and that arrangements had
been completde whereby both the or.
chfstra and the Metropolitan Opcra Co.
would occupy the historic building.
hr. Box made his long awaited state
msnt at the annual meeting of the
PHILADELPHIA Orchestra Association. Of
which he Is 3 director, in the Rose
Gsrden Of the Bellevue Stratford After
few Introductory remarks, Mr.. Box
said;
"a four party agreement has been
reached between the directors of the
academy of Music; the Metropolitan
Opera Co, Of New York: the Phila
delphia Orchestra Association and
group of public spirited citizens of
Philadelphia, whereby the latter as
for a period of FIVE years. beginning
September pext."
Greeted With Applause
Here the sneaker was interrupted BY
prolonged applause from the moro than
100 representative men and women who
attended. lie continued:
Under this agreement the usual six
teen performances of the METROPOLITAN
Opera Co, of New York will bo given
next season in the Academy of Music. "
A renewed outburst OF applause. sur
passing the first III enthusiasm and
duration. greeted those words. Mr..
Box resumed
''The season Of fifty concerts Of the
philadelphia Orchestra will be given
there, as heretofore"
At that point the audience flung re-
preston to the winds. Men and wom-
en- arose and checrcd.
Mr., Box announced that the present
management of the Academy would be
transferred to. a stock company. 10 be
known as THE Academy of Music Cor
poration," charter for which would
be applied for at Harrisburg. The
speaker then told of the many considera-
bic sacrifices made h. all parties con
cerned in order to bring about the "dc-
voutly- hoped for conSummaton, and
went into some of the details of the
transaction and n sketch of the future
policy of the Academy.
Grant Lease at Si5. 900 Loss
So far as the sacrifices were con
cerned, Mr.. BOX sai& the president and
directors of the Academy had granted
the lease at an annual loss OF S4j 900.
compared to two offers actually in
hand. The Metropolitan Opera Co.. he
added, will lose $4,000 at each perform
ance. in addition TO the regular losses.
because Of the smaller seating capacity
OF the. Academy. as compared to that of
the Metropolitan Opera House.
Prior to Mr.. Box : address, Robert
kelso Cassatt was elected a director
to take the place Of f. T. Stotpsbury.
who resigned recently as director and
vice president OF the association. The
directors afterward elected William J.
Turner from their number TO the post
OF vice president
In the course of his address Mr. BOX
made IL clear that the seating capacity
OF the Academy although it is to be
enlarged slightly, will be smaller than
that of the Metropolitan Opera House.
Following the meeting, he was asked
II any arrangement in regard to the
apportioning of the boxes had been
made. He replied in the negative. bur
added that such an arrangement would
be made soon at joint meeting of the
new Academy corporation and the
directors Of the Metropolitan Opera
Co.
Mr.. Box also was questioned as 10
what change would be made in the
Philadelphia representation on the
board Of the Metropolitan Opera Co.
Philadelphia heretofore. had been rep
resented by Mr. StoteSbUry, as prcs,-
dent Of the Metropolitan Opera Co. Of
Philadelphia but. as result Of the sale
OF the Metropolitan Opera House. that
company no longer exists. He replied
that no announcement in connection
with that matter could he made for the
present T. De Witt Cuyler. although
q Philadelphian is not Il representative
of this city on the board, but is vice
president and the second Oldest officer
Of the company.