Saturday Evening Gazette/June 7, 1856/Italian Opera in New York

Italian Opera in New York.—The season closed May 30th with a $2500 house, and Maretzek had a well deserved bumper complimentary on the following Monday at which all the artists, musicians and choristers gave their services. A just tribute is paid him by the N. Y. Times which formerly demurred to his claims as a conductor. The proprietors of the Opera House had a meeting last Saturday to consider its embarrassments, the second mortgage upon it—$50,000 in amount—having become due. The proprietors must subscribe $150 on each share by the 15th inst., or this mortgage will be foreclosed and the building sold. A warm discussion was also had upon the 240 seats transferrable at pleasure which are so injurious to this Opera House in all respects. A strong desire is felt in New York that Max Maretzek should become its lessee, having proved by his direction since Mr. Paine abdicated, that he is the only man who can manage the Academy without loss. Mr. Paine offers his efforts there which cost $20,000 for $9,000, and the Times says Maretzek and his friends would become lessee for three years at $22,000 a year if the right to seats be given up, but not otherwise. By the charter, stockholders are only entitled to admission, but they have grabbed a choice of the best seats with a right to keep them empty in a crowded house or sell or give them away. No lessee can sanely permit such a privilege and competition with his box office.