New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-10-02
ALIVE SIZE or DIFFERENT GREAT rHEATERs.
Area Of Area NJ


Omar E-fliu
BordeauxOf this unable 70 obtain pans but may
be generally stated that IL is by far the largest heer In
Europe
A paramount object Of great thca'er, along with
the accommodation of the spectators is the spectacle
10 be seen, and from the foregoing table II appears
that no regard has been had 10 the relative stage
proportions Of Academy. 1t is cloar that with
exception nearly as great areahas been voted In
the above European houses to the stage TO the audi
torum. The exception is that Of the Paris Academic,
in which some 900 more square feet is given to the
stage than to the auditorium, and accordingly this
establishment is unequaed in Europe for its scenic
effects In the New-York Acade ny, however, the
stsge but little than one half OF the space
given TO the auditorium its depth from curtain TO the
rear wall being only 81 feet, rendering impossible
some Of the grandest effects they produced on
the boards in Europe.
The decorative portions Of the Academy next claim
our attention. They differ from those OF any other
American Theater in so far they rely almost entire
y on form and not on color for their artistic effect.
They massive and not erial In the dispositions
of the vings there often want of relief from
the deficiency OF leading idea in the designs. The
font of the boxes on level with the parquat is Orni
mented with balustrades which, together with their
Background, are white. The front Of the second tier
il decorated with chandeliers richly gilt and aternsted
with beautiful statues Of nfnnts playing upon different
musical instruments. The front Of tho third tier Is
somewhat similar in its ornaments; the front OF the
fourth tier or ampbitheater has panels filed with git
ornaments No chromatc decoration Is used in tho
OInsmentatiOn Of this portion Of the house Tue ef-
feet therefore is cold and chalky and there is want
Of harmony between the boxes and the dome, the
d me being richly and appropriately painted in
embellisbed panels two Of which are filed with fig.
ures OF Music and Poetry, aud the other two with
Comedy and Tragedy. This dome from the pencil Of
sgDor Allegri, may beindviduaed its coloriny being
elegant and harmonious and it, whole effect msgni
cent.
The boxes are supported throughout the house,
by massive pillars; Of the decorations Of which
columns produce an effect which il found in the
grand edifces Of Europe and which has not been
known in the theaiers Of this country But many Of
the details of ornament wanting ia purity Of de-
sign The general effect Of the Carr atides which
attached 10 the pillars Of the boxes is very good and
will strike particularly the untraveled spectator
Multiplied as they in this house they remind one
very seb'bly Of the great part they play in the srch
tectural Resources Of Europe. These massive sup
ports OF the boxes however, render the unsupported
dome offensive to the eye OF taste.
The curtain lie splendid. 1t is fifty by ffty-four
feet The subject is two rich screens Of Italian arch
lecture, through which are visible, right, left, and
center the courts palace the facade closing the per-
speetlve The screens and the palace respendent
in coumnar decorations and statuary and cOslesce in
ornsmentadon with the general temper Of the sudito-
rum The composition affords ne scope for aerial
perspective. This is painted by Signor Alegri, who,
we may mention, has also painted the scenery Of four
OPENS about to be siyen some Of which is superb,
and oil Of it good stockscenery. Sgnor Alegri has
also had the construction Of the admirable sage-ma-
ehintry, and all the stage arrangements and econ'
mice
The architect Mr.. sseltzer has not overlooked the
importance Of artificial ventilation, but il seemed 70
Us that the apetures of escape for the vated air Of
abuding to contain so large a crowd were much too
small. The provisions against FIRE are adarabla--