Backstage At The Opera

Text extracted from opening pages of book: BACKSTAGE AT THE OPERA By ROSE IIEYLBUT AND AIME GEUBER Pat/ wantc-r of The Metropolitan Opera J'LLUBTTUTKD THOMAS Y. CROWKLL ( X) MPANY:: NEW YOKK EDWARD JOHNSON AND LUCR. KHIA HOIO FOREWORD THE three sections of this book include one ( the last) which explains some of the details of actual operatic routine, and two which are devoted to reminis cences. The material in those two sections is presented solely as a series of personal impressions. There has been no attempt at either criticism or banner-carrying* Aime Gerber, Paymaster of the Metropolitan Opera Association, and affiliated with that organization for thirty-nine years, is responsible for the facts of the opera's life from 1898 to 1931. Rose Heylbut is re sponsible for the arrangement and writing. The mate rial dealing with events since 1031 derives from the impressions and observations of both. It is impossible, within the limits of one volume, to touch upon all the interesting names and events bound up with New York's opera since 1898. Other individ uals associated with the Metropolitan on terms of equal intimacy and over an equal period of time might select quite different highlights, I ot one reason or another, however, the facts here presented live most vividly in the minds of those responsible for this book; their selec tion has been based xipon general, human/* interest rather than upon formally critical evaluations or the emergence of tendencies; and they are offered entirely as personal recollections and observations, colored only by the nature of associations that have been happy. H0SK IlMVIJJUT, AIM: ft GERBKE, New York, Jww, J037. Til CONTENTS Part I Mostly ManagerialCHAPTER PAGB I. MATTIUCE GuAtr 3 II. HEINIUCH CONIUED 26 III. Gnruo GATTI-CASABKA 56 IV. EnwAiiD JOHNSON 94 Part II Opera Glamour V. CONOKUNTNO Ll'FTC IN' TUTC HotTSE ..... 105 VI. THK OLDKR PKRSONAIJTIKN . . .* 120 VI L CARUSO .171 VIII. Tnw NKWMII PERSONALITIES 190 Part IT Factory IX. SWTTTKC Ttnc SOKNIO ..... ..... 219 X. TUM C AHT ....... ...... XI, ( IKHTAIN MATTKUH OF ADMINISTRATION .... 275 XII. OPMHA HKOAIK'ASTIN