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Bob’s
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Reviews — The New York Times
From the New York Times January 23, 1909
MARY GARDEN GIVES
OUT THE LETTERS
With a Few Remarks About Her
Moderation and Patience
as a Woman.
SHE WON ALL SHE ASKED
Renewed Contract, Exclusive Rights to
Roles Existing and to Be, and the
Last Word - Untermyer Advised Her.
“There has been some misapprehension as to my attitude and as to the outcome of the recent unpleasantness,” remarked Miss Garden in making public the correspondence. “Now that everything has been pleasantly adjusted and we are all friends again, I think the matter will be better understood by reading of the actual letters that have passed between Mr. Hammerstein and myself. They speak for themselves.
“I was advised throughout by Mr. Samuel Untermyer, as my counsel, and tried to act in a spirit of moderation and patience in the assertion of my rights, incidentally allowing Mr. Hammerstein to monopolize the public prints at which he is a past grand master.
“I am glad though, that all is peace again, for I admire Mr. Hammerstein immensely. As an impresario he has not his peer in the world, and he is every inch a man, though at times an unreasonable one. But I suppose none of us at all times see ourselves as others see us.”
Then she gave out the letters.
Hammerstein Seeks to Soothe.
The first letter is from Mr. Hammerstein:
My Dear Miss Garden: A number of newspaper men came to see me this morning and asked me what I had to say in regard to your statements in this morning’s papers. This was my answer:
“I have two kinds of contracts with my artists one is a written one, the other an unwritten one. In the last the foundation is never to do anything to cause the loss of respect or loyalty to either party.
“In the present case Mlle. Cavalieri was engaged by me but for a period of six weeks for six performances, comprising appearances in “Thaïs,” “Faust,” “Tosca,” “Pagliacci.”
I will not allow the friendly relations which existed between us from the time of signing our contract, and the supreme loyalty you have at all times exhibited for me, to be severed by an incident unworthy of even causing a shadow of estrangement.
I have tried to explain to you the urgency of fulfilling my contract with the authors and composers of several of the French works during the rest of this season. Had I anticipated causes that you deem of such seriousness, I certainly would have conferred with you in advance.
Let me know whether you can come down to see me or whether I shall call on you. Yours ever,
OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN.
Threatened with a Damage Suit.
Miss Garden’s reply to this read as follows:
Dear Mr. Hammerstein: Replying to your letter of this date, I can see no occasion for further discussion of the unpleasant subject matter of our controversy.
I regret to have to repeat that in the action you have taken you have violated both the letter and the spirit of our understanding. After a full statement by me of the facts connected with the making and renewal of our contract I am advised that your action constitutes a distinct breach of my rights, entitling me to hold you for such damages as I may sustain.
I shall say nothing at this time of my great disappointment at your extraordinary attitude or of the injustice you have sought to do me after the loyal manner in which I have seconded your heroic efforts to maintain your position in New York. That you must settle with your own conscience. Whenever you are prepared to respect the rights that you agreed to accord me, and not sooner, I am ready to do my part. Your suggestion as to the reason for your action in producing “Thaïs” on Saturday of next week is too flimsy for serious consideration, and is quite unworthy of you.
I am ready and always have been and will be to sing “Thaïs” whenever and wherever you please, regardless of my other work, but as I understand your attitude our contract relations have now been severed and I shall not again appear at the opera house until I receive proper assurances that you withdraw from your present attitude. Yours truly,
MARY GARDEN.
Peace Overtures.
Mr. Hammerstein studied over this for a day and then sent the following:
My Dear Miss Garden:
Mr Coini informs me that if I consent to you having the roles you created and will create in the repertoire of my operas exclusive during the existence of the contract between us that you would be willing to proceed with the rehearsals, the continuation of performances, and the restoration of our former relations.
Such request I readily comply with provided you will give me your assurance of acceptance in writing.
I will also consent to make the date of notice of renewals in the existing contract no later than Jan 1 each year, excepting the season 1909-1910. Notice of renewal I hereby tender. Yours,
OSCAR HAMMMERSTEIN.
The Descent of Peace.
Miss Garden replied with this formal letter:
Mr. Oscar Hammerstein, Manhattan Opera House,
Dear Sir: I hereby accept the modifications of our existing agreement set forth in your letter of this date. It is of course understood that “Salome” as well as any operas hereafter produced by you in any opera house or theatre under your management or in which you produce for the first time in this country, and in which I take part, are included in our present arrangement, and that as to all such operas, as well as those mentioned in our old contract, and “The Juggler,” you are not to produce or permit the production of any such operas during the term of our agreement or any renewal term unless I sing and play the roles in such operas created by me. You are not to substitute any one in any role without my express consent, given in writing under my own signature.
I assent to the other modifications set forth in your letter, and note that you now exercise your option to renew the contract for the season of 1909-1910.
Your letter and this reply, in conjunction with the old contract will accordingly be regarded as being the existing agreement between us.
Permit me in this connection to assure you that it was with the deepest pain and regret that I felt compelled to take the action that was forced upon me in the protection of what I regard as an invasion of my rights, and that in returning I do so with the kindest feelings of affection and regard for you. Yours truly,
MARY GARDEN.
Miss Cavalieri’s Debut.
Lina Cavalieri, whose withdrawal from “Thaïs” yesterday served to heal the breach between Mr. Hammerstein and Miss Garden, will make her début at the Manhattan Opera House in “Tosca” on Monday night. “Pelleas et Melisande” was to have been the opera, but was withdrawn to give Miss Garden time for further rehearsals of “Salome.”
Last updated December 29, 2006