Articles on the Opening of the German Opera Season

     “On Easter Monday the Grover German opera troupe will begin a series of operatic performances at the Academy of Music, with Carl Anschutz as conductor. Among the operas promised are ‘Mirella,’ ‘The Huguenots,’ ‘Tannhauser,’ ‘The Magic Flute,’ ‘Fidelio,’ ‘Robert le Diable,’ and ‘La Dame Blanche.’ The season will open with Faust.

     “German Opera. It is with great pleasure that we announce the return of Grover’s German Opera—the People’s Opera. The performances will commence at the Academy of Music on Monday evening next, the 17^th inst. We shall give the programme in a day or two; in the interim, we advise our friends to reserve themselves, for we can promise them some rare musical treats in the next three weeks.”

     “The German Opera. There is already much excitement in regard to the performances of the Grand German Opera Company; under the management of Mr. Leonard Grover. The strength of the company is commented on, and confidence is felt that the large and varied repertoire will be carried out in perfect faith. The works to be performed are of the highest character—those which we do not hear from the Italian singers, and the change from the perpetual Verdi or Donizetti will be welcomed by a large majority of our musical people. Report speaks highly of the performance of Beethoven’s wonderful Opera, ‘Fidelio,’ by this company and much pleasure is anticipated in hearing it. It is a work with which the public should be more familiar. The sale of reserved seats at the usual places goes on briskly and the general impression seems to be that the brief season of the German Opera will be highly successful. The season commences on Monday evening next with the popular opera of Faust.”

     “German Opera.—Mr. Grover’s announcement of his forthcoming campaign of German opera is certainly a most interesting and encouraging document. It is replete with the promise of a brilliant and varied season. The repertoire is unusually large, and embraces all the grander works of the new school. . . .Mr. Grover’s company has been increased and strengthened. It is sufficiently ample to play six times a week with safety. There will, however, only be four performances at the Academy next week, opening on Monday. . . .Mr. Grover’s orchestra and military band will be large and good. We are glad to hear that the sale of seats has been unusually encouraging.”

     Since last week, German opera has been in full swing.  It has been the old names and until now, the old operas that have been offered to us.  The old familiar things can have enchantment, provided they are not completely detached from out modern sensibility.  Whether this is the case with the current German opera or not, let us leave this matter alone for the present.  Let us be happy that we even have German opera.  We believe we can say for certain that it finally has a firm footing in America.  The ground has been laid, requiring at this time only prudent leadership and capable workers to execute the construction of a solid building.  Admittedly, without these, all the gains could be lost again.  We are very familiar with the pitfalls which stand in the way of such an accomplishment, but these can be overcome, not just with money, but also, above all, with expertise.  On the other side, it cannot be denied that the public itself must have a hand in this project.  Germans truly need to make every effort to establish their opera firmly, not just because it is appropriate to raise musical taste, but also because it can elevate their social influence.