“STARS” IN REVOLT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2433, 23 February 1909, Page 6

“STARS” IN REVOLT.

.GRAND OPERA AND COMIC QUARREL.

The stars of the Metropolitan Opera House (New York) are in revolt because the management insist that they attend rehearsals regularly, and accept orders concerning the interpretation of their roles like ordinary singers. . The trouble started by Signor Toscanini, the musical director, rebuking Miss Geraldine Farrar for not attending rehearsals. Miss Farrar replied, -! I am a star; how dare you criticise me?” Signor Toscanini replied : “All the stars are in heaven. You are only an artist, and yo.u must obey me.” He then courted fresh trouble by informing Mine. Emilia Eames that her interpretation of Tosca was out of date, and must be reconstructed. Mine. Eames refused. Signor Toscanini appealed to Signor Goticasazza. He and Herr Andreas Dippel are joint managers of the Metropolitan Opera House. ~ ... Signor Goticasazza agreed with bigonr' Toscanini, and Herr Dip-pel agreed with the singers. Thereupon tho directors of the opera syndicate ware brought into the quarrel. Signor Goticasazza threatened not f i renew Herr Dippel’s -contract as joint manager. Miss Farrar drew up « protest, which was signed by Mme. Flames, iSiguor Caruso, and Signor Scctti, demanding Herr Dippel’s retention. The directors paid no attention to this protest, but informed the stars that they must obey Signor Goticasazza. All the singers declare they have never been insulted in such a nay before. Signor Caruso is acting as peacemaker, and trying to pacify the angry prima donnas.