St. Louis

The report of the St. Louis Municipal Opera shows that last season eight operas were given, attended by over 260,000 persons, of whom 72,000 occupied free seats. The profits were over $40,000--a remarkable achievement, especially as there were many rainy nights last summer in St. Louis. Plans for the coming season are already fixed, and include the works of such composers as Herbert, De Koven, Ludar, Lehar, Johann and Oscar Strauss. Only two of the operas, The Chocolate Soldier and Sweethearts have been seen on that stage before. The Municipal Opera stage, located in beautiful Forest Park, is unique in this country. It has a natural background of splendid trees, a bridge spanning a stream, and an amphitheatre capable of sheltering 10,000 in case of a storm. Many music lovers observe with regret that no Gilbert and Sullivan operas come in this year's list. The Yeomen of the Guard didn't go very well with the public last year--owing doubtless to the fact that it approaches the severity of grand opera.