The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-06-14 00:00:00

THE GRAND FESTIVAL AT THE
PARIS OPERA.

- -- -
A grand fete took place at the Opera House in Paris
on Saturday evening in aid of the sufferers by the
floods at Szegedin. The proceedings were divided into a
preliminary evening concert and a fancy fair, com-
mencing at midnight. There were present at the fete
the Prince of Wales and other distinguished visitors,
the general audience being the fashionable world of
the French capital. The stall-keepers in the fair
were the leading French actors and actresses. The
prices charged were worthy of the magnitude of the
whole conception. The poorest place for the concert
was forty francs, but after midnight twenty francs
admitted to "all the fun of the fair."

The Paris correspondent of the Daily News, in noticing
the festival, says :—" Nothing in the recorded history
of public entertainments is known to have been so gay
and beautiful. As much downright material enjoy-
ment for the eyes, ears, and imagination as can be
bought and sold was crowded into one evening, and the
cup of pleasure was filled quite to the brim. The
amusements were so numerous and skilfully diversified
that they seemed endless. They comprised a Japanese
shop managed by Mdlles. Sangalli, Marquet, Sadan-
ville, Roumter, and Blot--such shopwomen as were
never seen before; a fortune-teller in Leonid° Leblanc,
who foretold the most enviable destinies. There was
a maze of flowers such as Paris only can show; an at-
mosphere of perfumes; a world of sweets; toys enough
to set whole nurseries dancing with delight; wine and
wit for the asking; and Sevres beer for nothing.
"The enchanted man who had paid his entrance
money into this paradise could be weighed or photo-
graphed, could play at billiards, or ride on a wooden
horse at will. He could enter with spirit into Polish
games and fancy himself an illustrious exile, or look
at Fantoccini like the whimsicial things of a waking
dream. There was Weldteufel's orchestra, with seven
other companies of renown, including the excellent
band of the Republican Guard. The sparkling
coatuor of .Rigolletto was executed by Faure,
Vergnet, Krauss, and Bloch. There were also some
Tyrolese singers, and a conjuror who seemed at least a
magician.
All the art and the fame of Paris at its best, every
celebrity who could attract the sightseer, assembled to
take part in the gracious work of international charity
which appeared to draw the links of all human
brotherhood more closely. The President of the
Republic arrived shortly before nine, and the Prince
of Wales took possession of his box a few minutes
afterwards.
"At two in the morning there was a mock auction,
held by a charming auctioneer, Mille. Marie Legault.
At three there was a tombola. Even the naughty joy
of gambling was not wanting to give the zest of for-
bidden fruit to the close of the merriment. By list, n-
ing to the vivacious sallies of some of the prettiest and
most amusing women in toe world, a generous stranger
might probably be induced to bid a high price for a hot
chestnut. By staking a hundred francs, more or less,
on a lottery ticket, a lucky sportsman might become
poseoaaed vf a flagvu vf miracle water to tiolre him
beautiful for ever, of a smoked tongue for immediate
use, or of a hundred free permissions to go up in a
balloon,"
The amusements did not conclude till breakfast
time, and the festival was as complete a success as
such things can be, producing a net profit of £lO,OOO.