Wagner Failure

The Wagnerian Opera Company, admitted protege of Mme. Ganna Walska McCormick, collapsed financially in Manhattan. Scenery and costumes were under attachment for $10,048. Reasons for the failure:

1) Last year the company was successful because America was starving for lack of Wagner. This year, Tannhauser at the Metropolitan was an accomplished fact, Die Meistersinger had just had an excellent revival, and Siegfried was in sight. The Wagner shortage was not acute.

2) The repertory was badly managed. Works were included, like Riensi and Mozart's Figaro, beyond the company's capacity.

3) The great conductor, Leo Blech, and notable singers such as Else Alsen, Jacques Urlus, Friedrich Schoer and Claire Dux, were absent.

4) The size of the Manhattan opera house.

5) The $5 price.