The New York herald., 1922-01-19
Jeritzd to Take
Place of Farrar
in Metropolitan
New Singer Gets Four Year
Characterization Silent
as to Change.

While Miss Geraldine FHrrar. Tor
fifteen years q popular star OF the Met
ropolitan Opera, declined yesterday to
discuss underlying reasons that prompt
ed her to sever her connection with the
Metropolitan after the close of the pres-
ent season. It was learned from other
sources that she decided OF her own
volition to abandon grand opera, with
which she has been identified for twenty
Of her shirty-nine years.
Giuho Gatti-C -Casazza, director OF the
Metropolitan Opera Company. followed
Miss Farars statement that she was
through with grand opera with the
announcement yesterday that he had
engaged Nine. Maria Jeritxa, who has
taken over many of the Farrar roles
and whose success has been tho sensa-
ton Of the present season. for four full
seasons OF fifty performances a year. II
is understood that at the end Of this
time her contract will be renewed, so
that It can be said she Is to take the
place OF Miss Farrar. The contract Of
fered to the latter for next year Is said
to have called for only three months, or
half the season.
1t was pointed OUT last night that Miss
Farrar's renown as an opera singer.
coupled with her personal popularity
that has given her unique place In the
opera world. should make her concert
tour far more profitable to her than a
season Of grand opera. Her income
from her concerts should, il was said,
bring her an income Of more than $780,
900.
Some OF the singers many admirers
at the Opera house last night and else
where during the day advanced the
theory that It was jealousy over tho
recent success OF Nine. Maria Jeritza
as Florid Tosco, one OF Miss Farrar's
most famous roles. that prompted the
American prima donna to leave an oper-
attic environment which her strong per-
sonality had dominated for many years.
When such report reached an official
of the company last night he said :
That's ridiculous. Moreover. personal
success Is a phase OF grand opera over
which tho management has no control.
That Is individual with the artist. If
there was such a personal element In
Miss Farrar's retirement it certainly
was not brought to official attention"
Metropolitan's New Policy.
At this time annually Mr.. Gatti-
renewal of contracts that are about TO
expire and among the contracts about
to end in April was that of Miss Farrar.
In his conference with her the general
manager told her that, in line with a
new policy OF varying the casts in the
more popular operas that are frequently
repeated, he would renew her contract
for three months of the next season, in
stead for the entire season of twenty
three weeks as in the past.
Instead of showing any resentment
over the suggestion, Miss Farrar de-
clared she approved of Mr.. Gatti-
had made up her mind to give her en-
tire time to concert work next season
and abandon opera for a year at least
When Mr.. Gatti-Casazza suggested
the renewal Of contract on O three
months basis no mention Of terms was
made. It Is to be inferred, therefore
that Miss Farrar's fee of $1,000 a per-
formance would have been continued
Her income from her appearances with
the Metropolitan for years has been
$4,000 season.
Mr.. Gatti- -Casazza told Miss Farrar
that he would be delighted if she would
return to the company during the season
after next, but as Miss Farrar yesterday
Gatti-Casaxza could not, the question OF
the ultimate return Of the American
diva to grand opera remains in doubt.
Rumors Of Resentment.
Even her best friends last night were
of the opinion that Il would have been
wise for Miss Farrar to have accepted
Mr. Gatti-Casazxa's offer for even a few
appearances next season and thus have
silenced the rlmors that resentment
over the great personal success of Nine.
Jeritza in "Tosca" may have prompted
Miss Farrar's retirement from the Met
ropolitan.
When an official OF the opera company
was asked last night IL Miss Farrars
appearance In few performances next
winter might be possible he replied that
he did not see how that could be. mas
much as the prima donna had made def
mite arrangements through her manager
c. J. Foley. for q concert tour opening
rext October and continuing until April