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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
212
THE OPERA.
f"T"1HE "Opera" piano is now, and has been attracting
more than ordinary notice from the piano trade
during the past year. What is the cause ? This
question is being constantly asked by the trade; and, in
order to answer it intelligently we decided upon
interviewing the manufacturers; also to examine care-
fully the instrument and take a tour through their
mammoth factory. Accordingly, our reporter recently
visited the establishment, and we are putting it mildly
when we say that the workings, systems, discipline,
etc., were a surprise to us.
The factory is situated on the corner of Broadway
and 47th street, is very imposing, and attracts the atten-
tian of tha passar-by. It is a tall brick building, sur-
rounded on all sides by windows, and thus receiving plenty
of light, which is of paramount importance in the manu-
facturing of pianos; therefore our reporter was greatly
impressed with the exterior view of the " opera" piano
works, and mused within himself that if the inside
workings were in conformity with the exterior, he won-
dered not that the instrument itself was gainiig so rap-
idly in popularity.
He was not disappointed. The offices and ware-
rooms are tastefully and artistically fitted up, divided
into various departments and managed by thoroughly
competent clerks.
As you enter their warerooms you are greeted by a
gentlemanly clerk, who enquires your wants and con-
ducts you to the department you require in the transac-
tion of your business.
Everything moves like clock-work. Cashier's office,
credit, installment, retail, wholesale, advertising, buying,
rental, corresponding, and salesmen's departments are all
on the first floor, and managed by male and female clerks.
These offices are fitted with all the conveniences nec-
essary for carrying on a large and successful business.
Among other improvements each office is suDplied with
an electric bell, with which to call a messenger to carry
such message, books or papers as may be required in
another department. We have not the space to devote
to a detailed account of the workings of each, but wish
to call attention to the credit department, which is a
marvel of exactness.
The credit of each customer is looked after with the
greatest minuteness. Every transaction is carefully
watched and noted in a large reference book, all changes
are jotted down, and no commercial agency could be
more careful or strict in their gathering of financial news
than is this department in looking after the financial
standing and the general credit of the customer.
A loss with this house is rarely known, so that a good
customer is not called upon to pay, in the purchase of
his goods, the losses sustained by the house through the
failure of careless or unscrupulous dealers.
This department is ably managed, and it certainly is
profitable to the concern to support it.
After passing though the various offices, which have
the appearance of a well-regulated bank, we find our-
selves in the spacious warerooms, where a fine assort-
ment of elegant upright pianos confronts us.
We were astonished at the variety: Rosewood, ash,
oak, mottled walnut, mahogany and ebonized. The
styles were new, unique and faultless in finish. The
reporter listened to the elegant tone of a style 6, which
was charming, and compared favorably with any instru-
ment in the market.
1
We were particularly struck with a fine English oak,
which our gentlemanly guide informed us was to be the
fashionable instrument for the present and the coming
year. We then took the elevator to the upper floors of
the bailding, in order to penetrate the mysteries of the
putting together of this intricate instrument.
Our reporter, with an attempt at being facetious,
quietly remarked to 'he elevator boy that he perhaps
had more " ups and downs" in life thin any one else in
the establishment. The boy did not quite "catch on"
(excuse our slang), so tne reporter repeated it; the boy
was evidently suffering from soms disease of the mind,
for he could not see the joke until we arrived at the top
of the building, and our scribe had really forgotten the
remark, when our ears were greeted with a loud and
prolonged laugh. The boy had seen the joke! Our
reporter had made a decided hit.
We were escorted through the varnish rooms, and
were struck with the air of neatness and order there
displayed. We then inspected every department through
which an instrument has to pass, until completed and
ready for shipment. The superintendent's ofice is on
the third floor, and here maybe found all the scales and
patterns of the "Opera" piano.
We noticed that the firm employ men who, from their
age, appear to have had many years' experience in this
business. We were told by the superintendent that no
contract work is allowed in the factory, but all hands
are employed by the week, which guarantees good and
honest work.
We also inspected the stock room, and found that the
best material is used by the firm in the construction
of their instruments.
They employ a good buyer, who is posted as to the
market, and he exercises great care and judgment in
the purchase of material. We found that strict disci-
pline was maintained throughout the whole establish-
ment, and their systems are original and perfect.
We were pleased with our visit and surprised at what
we saw; enterprise seldom seen greeted us on every
side, and we felt that a long head and wonderful execu-
tive ability guided this vast establishment.
We forgot to mention that the firm's private offices
are in the rear of the first or ground floor; they are
handsomely and completely furnished. When our re-
porter entered he found Mr. Peek, Sr., surrounded by a
pile of papers, deeply engrossed in study solving the
p-oblem, perhaps, of the future piano. He greeted us in
a very cordial manner, introducing us to his son, the
junior member of this house. We found these gentle-
men affable, and genial in their manner. With an easy
grace they gave us a hearty welcome, offering to impart
any information that we might desire. They were both
earnest and emphatic in their opinion as regards the
prospect for this year's business and the growth of the
piano trade. They state that they do not anticipate a
" boom;" the demand for pianos during the present
year, however, will be greatly increased, and that busi-
ness in general will be conducted on a much firmer
basis, and losses be few. They think that long credits
should be abolished, better prices and siorter credits
inaugurated, which would be of greater benefit to the
dealer as well as the manufacturer.
Having consumed considerable of our own valuable
time, as well as that of Peek & Son, we left them with
our best wishes, and are fully impressed with the idea
that the " Opera" piano has a bright and glorious
future.
DEATH OF MRS. THOMAS METZ.
O
NE by one our friendly connections with the music
trade, as in other directions, are severed by the hand
of Death. Accustomed as we are to the ravages of
the King of Terrors, each blow inflicted by him is felt not
less poignantly than the previous one. Nor does the
acquisition of new friends, gladdening as it is, entirely
compensate for the loss of those who have passed be-
yond the bourne from whence no traveler returns.
Painful as are these sunderings, they are accompanied
by a kind of melancholy co isolation. Reflection upon
the virtues, the good example, and the tender affection
of the departed is productive of a solace only to be ap-
preciated by those who have experienced it. Such a
solace has undoubtedly come to the aid of Mr. Thomas
Metz, whose accomplished and amiable wife passed
away on the 5th inst. The deceased lady came of a
notable musical family. Her father was Signor Antonio
Blitz, of Philadelphia, Pa., and many of her near rela-
tives have acquired distinction in various fields of musi-
cal effort. Mrs. Metz had a.penchuit for the piano, and
performed upon that instrument with a power and a
pathos rarely exceeded by the amateur. Her untimely-
decease has caused great grief, not only among her
large musical acquaintance, but also on the part of a
very extensive circle of other friends. Her husband,
Mr. Thomas Metz, has been honorably connected with
the great piano house of Weber for upwards of twenty
years. In his great bereavement he has the sincere
condolences of all who know him.
HARDHAN HALL.
A MAGNIFICENT CONCERT AUDITORIUM AND LECTURE
ROOM.
T
H E extension of the handsome warerooms of
Hardman, Peck & Co. at 13S Fifth avenue and
Nineteenth street, proceeds apace. The walls
between the rooms now occupied and those about to be
added to them are in process of removal, and the addi-
tional space thus obtained will impart a palatial aspect
to the premises. Statuesque and pictorial decorations
of the choicest order will constitute fitting embellish-
ments to this magnificent temple of art, to which Hard-
man Hall will form a useful and admirable addition.
This most compact and symmetrical auditorium has a
seating capacity of five hundred. It is lofty, airy,
and provided with a splendid glass roof, while from an
acoustical point of view it has been exactly adapted to
the purposes of concerts, musicales, lectures, etc. A
capacious gallery is erected in the rear. Ample accom-
modation exists, moreover, in the matter of dressing
apartments, separate entrance rooms for artists, and so
forth. The hall will be set apart for all kinds of social
greetings and entertainments, and is certain to prove
an extremely attractive resort.
Not the least agreeable features of the establishment
of Hardman, Peck & Co., according to our reporter, were
the urbanity, politeness, and considerateness that
marked the demeanor of every individual connected
therewith, from principals to door-keepers. A firm
combining such highly-bred courtesy, such superb archi-
tectural conveniences, and such gloriously-toned pianos
cannot but achieve and maintain a world-wide fame.
THIE
STORY & CLARK ORGAN FACTORY
Canal and 16th Streets, Chicago, Illinois, U. S. A.
"Thje be§t equipped Peed Crgar)
N'| an u factory
in thje world.
Cforjti'olligg its owg paterjt§, (whiclj
It§
cannot be purchased) it produceg m]
geographical situation, fov distri-
action perfect, a tone correct, rich,
bution, and products used unpar-
smooth and sweet, arjd ca§eg ever
alleled.
new ar)d elegarjt.
No. 17625 Case Design.
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