Draper English Opera [Performance Canceled]

“We were much disappointed last evening to find the doors of the French Theatre closed, and to see an announcement that there would be no performance. The reason for this failure was not stated, nor do we yet know what it was. We simply know that no performance is advertised for to-night. We trust that an early explanation will be made.”

         “We hear of no immediate resuscitation of the English opera troupe, but we do hear much of the life and death of the aforesaid. So far as we are informed, Mr. DRAPER having heard the operettas of Mr. EICHBERG, proposed to Messrs. BRAINE BROTHERS and CUSHMAN a season at the French Theatre. A sufficiently numerous and more than ordinarily good troupe were engaged, and a season opened with fair prospects for success. The ‘Doctor of Alcantara’ drew well, and visions of plethoric wallets flitted before the managerial eyes. They saw too much however, and when they came to divide found it only in their mind’s eyes. This was unpleasant, and seemed to necessitate an increase in prices. Then came the evil days. EICHBERG naturally preferred his own works to those of others, and the managers who were not for all time, but a day, began to experiment upon the public, and in a very little while the people waxing wrath indicated their displeasure, the attendance dropped off, and one bright morning it was deemed expedient to close the doors, that the scene, not entirely creditable to all concerned, might be shut out from the public gaze. Of the private griefs of individual managers, we care to say nothing; but in justice to Mr. DRAPER we publish the following card, which reached us last evening:

No. 139 BROADWAY, NEW-YORK, July 9, 1866.

         The manner in which the comic opera was brought to a close induces me to inform you and the public that my name should only be identified with the enterprise so far as its organization and successful inauguration are concerned, and that from the time I withdrew my name I have taken no part in its direction, nor have I assumed any responsibility.

            Very respectfully, H. DRAPER

        Concerning the BRAINES of the establishment, we can only say that they are not to be found. The cash-box is also among the missing, to the great grief of sundry creditors.

         Dr. EICHBERG, who was formerly connected with the Boston Museum, has returned to that pleasant spot where we believe he will rusticate until the Fall, when, if rumor may be credited, he will reopen in this City, but under the significant name of the ‘American Opera Troupe.’ Miss RICHINGS, with her venerable father, the courtly PETER, is resting awhile from the fatigues of the season; Miss ZELDA HARRISON, who bounded at once into the appreciative affection and affectionate appreciation of New-York and Brooklyn, is studying and preparing for her next campaign; Mrs. MOZART is doing the same. CASTLE and CAMPBELL devote Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to bathing at Long Branch, Saturday to miscellaneous warbling at the same place, and Sunday to the presentation of purely sacred music, also at the same place, under the management of MOSS and HARRISON.” 

“The sudden and unexpected close of the performances of the English comic opera company should before this have been explained in some way by the managers.  We have waited for some time in the hope that some authorized statement would be made, but in vain.”

“The English Opera Company, which occupied the French Theatre, in Fourteenth st., during the month of June, has, we understand, been disbanded, not to be again united under the same management. English opera speculations have usually failed from want of success, but this last enterprise seems to have fallen through because of the most generous support bestowed upon it by the public.  It was success, in this instance, which created dissensions among the managers, which was utterly destructive of combined effort in the right direction. The commencement was scarcely organized when efforts were made to eject the gentleman through whose perseverance and untiring zeal the enterprise has become an assured fact.  The effort was successful, and the management was deprived of the only man acquainted with the business, and accustomed to deal with the conflicting interests which always surround affairs operatic.” [The article goes on for several paragraphs more and is very interesting, particularly on the topic of the need for American opera, and an American opera house]

“In the midst of life we are in death.  Although announcement was made on the 2d of July that the ‘Two Cadis’ and one other comic opera would be given that evening at the new French Theatre, yet at that very moment the house was in its death throes, and the manager and people quarreling about the dear deceased.  Yes, friends, without formal notice, the new French Theatre closed abruptly without any performance on Monday evening, July 2d.  It died, and made no sign, and somebody is out by the speculation. Bad management has characterized the place since its opening.  Because the public attended liberally at first, at fair prices, the managers thought they would be equally liberal at a high tariff, so they raised the prices—that was the straw that broke the camel’s back; the patrons of the shebang looked upon this increase as an attempt at extortion, so they staid away. Old prices were resumed, but the deed was done, the injury accomplished, and resuscitation beyond hope. After a brief struggle, it gave up the ghost as stated.  Obituary lines, etc.:--

            We had a French Theatre once, it was our joy and pride, 

But they raised the prices, ah, too high, and soon it burst and died.”