Article on Grau's cancellation of all opera contracts for the forthcoming season

     Grau has cancelled all contracts for the Italian Opera which he intended to take to Havana in the next fall. One of the reasons is his realization that he was overwhelmed with leading the Italian Opera in Havana and the [New-York] Historical Society (Historische Gesellschaft) here at the same time. Another reason is a financial one: the financial risk was too high to run the Opera in Havana. The advance payments were so enormous that they would hardly be balanced by the income later on. The third reason is the difficulty to find large enough theater for his performances. Finally the purchasing of a completely new wardrobe – the old was burned in the fire at the Academy of Music- was too costly. As much as we find it deplorable that Grau will not present New York with an opera ensemble, we are surprised how quickly he was able to get out of his contracts and wonder if this is legal. Due to these circumstances in America, European artists hold back from engagements overseas.