Article on the forthcoming operetta season

“L’OPÉRETTE A NEW-YORK. The theatrical season that’s being organized at this moment for next winter promises to be the most active and most sparkling that there has ever been in New York. It would need a volume to give the summary of the surprises and marvels which are being prepared for our pleasure, and if the various enterprises that are being announced contain only half of what they promise, New York will be, in respect to the dramatic art, one of the most favored cities in the world.

In this steeplechase, only those who will approach perfection will obtain or maintain favor. For the moment, only M. Bateman is in the breach, but when the serious competition comes along, he won’t keep himself at the height where he has placed himself except on condition not only that he guard against any decay, but also that he advances, if possible, along the eminently praiseworthy way that he’s engaged in, and to which he owes the striking success that he’s attained. He has everything he needs for that. Personally he has given proof of his capacity to the extent that there would be nothing to fear as to activity or intelligence on his part; but it’s indispensable also that he takes care that the artists engaged under his direction don’t stop schooling themselves to curtail the imperfections in their acting and to contribute with all their might to the overall effect of the work they’re performing.” [For remainder of article, a critique of Mlle Irma-Marié, see review of Barbe-Bleue of 08/17/68.]