Article on Maretzek, Grau, and Anschütz

“The matinée on Saturday brought Mr. Maretzek’s fourth week to a brilliant termination, and, we are surprised to hear, without any loss to the management. Mr. Maretzek has suffered from a multitude of evils that are hardly likely to occur again. His singers have been sick, the weather has been bad, and on one occasion he was compelled from these combined causes to close the house. The religious austerities of the season have also probably had some influence on the attendance, although it must be confessed that the irreligious, who have no austerities, turned out in great force whenever the opera was attractive. The present week will probably be marked by moderation in the weather, and ‘perfect looseness’ in the morals of the community. Unfortunately it is the last of Mr. Maretzek’s present campaign—that otherwise sensible impresario being possessed with the amiable mania of visiting Boston. Why do people visit Boston, when Boston so frequently visits New-York, and stays on the slightest provocation? Grau has been to Boston, and has acquired a deep bass voice in consequence. The Common sits heavily on his mind, and the east wind has taken up quarters in his throat. He is now fit for stratagems and spoils—and Philadelphia—whither he has gone. But how will Mr. Maretzek, with his newly acclimated artists, withstand the dire influences of a Massachusetts Spring; and why should he ride Quixotically at the three hills when it is so much easier to stay in Fourteenth-street and grow opulent and easy? To the non-managerial intellect it seems slightly absurd to leave the Metropolis at a time when success is most marked and certain. The arrangements for the present week are as follows: [Lists operas for the week].

The public will hear with much satisfaction that Mr. Auschutz [sic] has returned to the City, and has made an arrangement with Mr. Maretzek, by which he will be able to give two performances of German opera at the Academy of Music during the present week.”