Washington sentinel., 1853-11-15
Gofal anb Dsrsonal.
Risley's Variete-Mad. sontag,s Farewell

Risiey's Variete-Mad. Sontag's Farewell
Concert.--The energy of the lessee of this new
place Of amusement, and the expensive arrange
ments he has made 10 open an establishment
suited TO the taste and requirements of metropol-
itan public, are worthy Of more than passing no
tice Mr.. Risley has, no doubt been an observer
of the want of good and genleel theatre, and
has, we think, wisely chosen Iron Hall. Il is
centrally situated on our great thoroughEare OBJ
Waiting in great degree the Inconvenience OF
long walk from the principal hotels. The size
OF the building is sufficient 10 accommodate COM
fortably any ordinary audience, and is capable
| OF seating about 500 persons. The entrance is
broad, and the steps are easy of ascent. As the
spectator enters, he is struck with the rich ap.
pearance the hall. He sees in mirror, coun
terpart of himself in an opposite direction. On
the right, the entrance admits him too saloon OF
almost eastern splendor. The elegant and taste.
ful panneling and decorations nearly bewilder
him.
Inc reserved seats are separated from the others
by tasteful and substantial iron railing, and are
composed of arm chairs, neatly and comfortably
cushioned. Two private boxes--the largest ca
pable OF containing fifteen persons partially
concealed from the view Of the audience and are
beautifully draped, carpeted, lighted, and fur
! nished
The drop curtain is composed Of rich Damascus
silk. The procenium and movable scenes are
tastefully and richly painted. Over two hundred
burners shed forth their rays, which are reflected
from the gilded ornamental work of the wall. The
house is sufficiently ventilated 10 render the nj
nrncn her oil ~, 4
The principal artists employed in rendering the
house comfortable and attractive, are Messrs
Lamb and Shutter, scenic and decorative paint. rs
s. z. franklin, paper hanger and upholsterer;
Myers q Co., gas-ftters and fiirnishers Feeman
u Co., carpenters. The whole arrangements SUI
perintended by Mr.. John Risley.
| We understand that Mr.. Risley, senior has
spent several months in selecting his dramatic
company in the principal cities Of the Union,
and, from his experience and success as caterer
to the public, he hardly fail of forming corps
deserving the patronage OF this community
| Tomorrow evening the Variete will be thrown
open for Madame Sontag's first concert Mr.
Risley has shown great sagacity in selecting
this occasion for the introduction Of his es,ab.
lshment TO the public. Having been made ac-
qualnted with the plans of Madame Sontag's
| agent, we can safely assert that this will be
a new era in the amusements OF Washing.
ton. The police and interior arrangements are
| complete, and will remove all causes Of COM
plant heretofore experienced in entertainments
of high order. Prosperi's excellent cornet band
will enliventh The intervals of the concert by several
overtures.
/ q n said ,L;s -
no one to take our remarks on trust See and
Judge for yourselves tomorrow night.
Music.-We are shortly TO have what are de-
| s'gnated "rch treats OF music.n The mere an
nouncement has impaired much JOY and created
quite an excitement among the lovers Of sweet
vocal and instrumental sounds, as well as among
| those who either possess or assume to have n
sharp taste for extraordinary music, regarding not
little of which the merit consists more in the diff
hculty of execution than the peculiar entrancncs
properties of the explosions from human lips
mouths of brass, big drums, and all the other va
rled instruments brought into play for grand con-
cert purposes.
| On Wednesday night, Madame Sontag, Paul
Julien, Alfred Jaell and Signor Rocco, will doubt
less attract large and fashionable auditory M
Risley's Variete. Judging from the former per.
formances of this talented quartette in this cty.
/ even the unscientfc will have something in The
programme to delight them, and which ,hey can
understand; the celebrated songstress moi being
indifferent to the demand for simple melodies
which, falling softly on the ear, find an echo in the
heart. i.a..slE
Julien, after delightng the Baltimorians, win
| give series OF his grand orchestral and vocal
concerts in Washington, at the National Theatre
Among his other great things, including athe
adag1o in from the symphony in d. by Betho-
ven, and La Prima Donna, by Julien composed
as we are told expressly by the command Of the
Queen Of England and performed at the court
balls at Buckingham palace" We will have a re.
freshing !" Quadrlle NATIONAL composed by the
| last named gentleman since his arrival in this
country, containing all the principal national meo-
| dies; among which, it is needless to saw are the
airs sweetest to the patriotic heart, namely Hail
| Columbia" Yankee DOODLE and the g Star Span
! gled Banner" These will be performed by twenty
of M Juliens eminent solo musicians The New
| Workers listened TO them for forty-one consecu
tive nights; the success being Unprecedented
| Heretofore, musical troupes have peneraIv
Il
US indebted for these TO local instrumental bands.
but we trust that a new era is abont 10 dawn. in
the light of which, while we consent TO listen. for
the greater part, to foreign and incomprehensible
fuges we may occasionally be regaled with Ameri.
can airs, harsh and rude though they may be 10
the m'lstached disciples Of the +" great masters"
This remark is made on the presumption that the
instruments can be made use OF for this purpose
Ethiopian Minstrclsy.--Horn and Landiss
Ierpsichorean mnstrels mine in number) will con-
mence their series of concerts this evening, at
Odd Fellows Hall. 1t is said that this is the most
attractive band which has ever visited the city.
lhe people Of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania were the
last delighted by those minstrels; the governor of
The State and other officials attending their per-
manccs.