Year: 1872

Ii IQlBQCy anu muSt pIoVblA


Strauss and tho American Public.


1t appears from the letter which we publish
below that the ill-judged disclaimer which
was published over the signature of the
eminent waltz composer, and which naturally
gave considerable offence to the American
public, was not authorized by Strauss Our
remarks on the communication were fully
justified by its contents, but we now know that
the blame rests rather with the business man
ayers than with the artist. The explanation
which Strauss offers in his letter to-day is
satisfactory, and the American public will
know that they have not bestowed kind and
fattering reception on a man Of an in
sensible or ungrateful nature. Most
Of the difficulties of this nature which are con-
stantly occurring are attributable to the med
ding of managers, who, as class, are little re-
feeling. These people make trouble by acting
in the name Of artists without authorization,
as in the present instance, often injuring the
foreign artist in the public estimation by ILL
considered words, which the popular feeling
resents. We are glad that Strauss has taken o
which he was placed by the unauthorized let
ter rejecting on the American people. In
order to enable him to set himself right before
the public. we publish his letter denying the
authorship of the communication which drew
forth our comments in q more conspicuous
rt of tha hot in u,b; oh tho
original letter appeared. This is what Strauss
says:-


JULYil 1872.
To THE EDITOR or THE HERALD:-


SIR-In an editorial OF this morning you stigma
tize my crushing into print instead Of leaving the
Pea 70 more hs etr 0 bc s S
your impression of Tuesday was not written nor
even communicated to or authorized by me,
though it appeared with my supposed signature;
and 1t is only because do not wish to rush into
print that did not at once clear up the msunder-
standing.


only expressed wish to state that I had moth
ing whatever to do with the 'ball," because some
unknown party speculated in . rather unscrupu.
the remarks which the letter contains have as
little to do as yourself; and since do not wish that
appreciate their extremely kind and amiable re-
cepti0n, trust to your sense of justice that you
will give this letter as prominent place in your
next issue as you did to the c'dtQe OF the letter
which have not to answer for.


! am, sir, your Obedlent servant,


JOHANN STRAUSS.


This frank statement sets the matter at rest
as far as Strauss is concerned; and we only
wish it could have the effect of teaching the
speculative class of managers, who are always
endeayoring to use the press for their own
selfish purposes, the limit of public patience
and the necessity of avoiding impertinent re-
dections on the people by whom they live.


The reception already accorded to the Aus
trian composer, even at this unfavorable period
of the year, is the best proof of the readiness
of our people to recognize and reward talent.
1t is with regret that we learn that it is the in
tention of Strauss to leave this country on the
conclusion of his present short engagement.
We would counsel him, on the contrary, to
remain and give concerts in the autumn; the
pecuniary results will certainly be far beyond
anything he can hope to obtain in Europe, and
he will have the satisfaction Of knowing that
ke has contr1uted something to the advance
enterprising managers who would be delighted
to offer him large and generous conditions if
he be unwilling to accept personal risk. In
either case, should he make up his mind to
remain we can undertake to guarantee him q
brilliant and fattering success. The time is
rapidly coming when the verdict of
the American public will be as neces-
sary to great artists as that of Paris
or ST. Petersburg at present. and
though Strauss will in any case carry away our
good opinion he must remember that hitherto
in Judging him we have been forced to make
allowances for the circumstances in which he
has been placed. There are thousands of our
rich classes who have heard him at his best
in Vienna; but the mass of the people must
form their opinions of the artist by what
they see of them on this Continent, and Strauss
can hardly be content to depart until he has
organized concerts worthy of him. No one
expects that with hastily collected orchestra
he can produce the same results or express
the same nuances, as with his own so justly
celebrated band We therefore want him to
settle down and prepare such an orchestra as
will give him perfect satisfaction, in order to
allow the public in the fall and winter
seasons to appreciate him fully. There need be
no fear for the financial results The American
people are ever ready to support under takings
in the interest Of musical art which bear the
stamp of merit, even when the cost is far above
the quality of the entertainment.


THE GREENBRIER RIVER DISASTER, O full
account of which is given in our special
despatch elsewhere, can only be regarded rs
an additional proof of the uncertainty of life
on the rail, and also Of the reckless and un.
satisfactory manner in which railroad plans