The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-14


useless anteas or cornces helping obsruci the view
or deaden the sound On The other hand every beam
girdsr, brace, post, bracket and side il shown in
true character, and acoords with its value in the sruc
turs.
The house will seat comfortably about two thousand
two hundred persons in the parquette, balcony and
FIRST and second galleries The chairs throughout the
building are Of bTonzei iron aad have cushioned seats
and backs, covered with crimson reps.
TIE STAGE AND RS MACHINERY.
The following are the proportions of the sage.-neplh
from footlights back seventy eight feet two inches;
width from wall to wall, eighty eight feet depth from
stage 10 magazine floor, feet; width OF proscenum
IA 'front.' ty three feet two inches opening at curtain,
forty -four feet eight Inches height to of arch,
forty three feet nine inches; height Of flies from stage
floor 70 rigging gallery, eightyone feet three inches;
height Of side wings twenty-five feet and thirty feet;
width OF side wings eight feet six inches feet
Six inohes width OF drop scenes, fortytwo by thirty
three feet The stage is supplied with the mos
improved bridges, sloats and slides, and the car
ragcs which the side scenes move are so ngenousy
constructed under the stage that can be exhibited
thirty egh feet height which cannot be done in any
other theatre where flats and grooves are used. The
height o. the flies permits the dp taken up
without folding, BY windlass shafts and counter weights
The machinery Is so complete that much help is re-
The plans drawn by Mr. Robert McNally, and exc
cuted under his direct superintendent.
SCENERY.
The stock o scenes painted for the Academy consists
aNf distinct sets, with which may be performed tho
lfb&inc 0peres, VIII. Lacreza Borgia Lucia di
ApmWyloor ). larbiere d siyelia. 4 Linda di Cha
iHosin-.56 somnambula G. Maria di Rohsn. l. Don
tas'Iaals s. Fislia del Reggimento o. Norma TO-
hnani H. sradeIla. Il. Martha IS. Elisir d'Amore
H. Giramento The Inst OF oLucia d Iainmermoorr
is faithful representation o. the burial place of the R
yenswoods with view OF the castle Of VOLTS Crag in
The distance, and is exceedingly effective The opening
scene q The opera of 'sIucrezia Borga is beautifuI
the eraud canal Of Venice by moonlight with lis
different palaces illuminated The scene Of tho
second act is Gothic of the pures, style. very
richly Ornamental The mill OF the ''Sonnambua'
is also quite picturesque The machinery well contrived
and very correctly represents the moving wheel and
water The drop curtain represents the temple of Apollo
the god OF music The style OF architecture is Grecian
In the centre Of the temric is colossal statue of
Apollo The seen al the back Of this statue in its
full splendor, contrived TO appear if the rays
emanaed from the head OF tho god himself -Four coos-
cal statues. representing Mclpomene (ragcdy) Ihalia
comedy Euterpe (musc), Erato lyric poetry resting
pcdcsal upon which reliefs analogous to the
statues above them, occupy the sides of the temple
Tie following the scenes OF which the stock is com
posed, TO which auson has not been made:-1 wood
2, garden; o, Gothic room A. palace; s. ruins by
moonlight; 8, Venice by moonlight; Z street; s. vii
lage; 0, rustic chamber TO- temple; H. a landscape
r. vestibuie.
The whole of these designed,and painted by Mr.
Hannibal Calyo, Of the talented our scenic
artists, and who also painted the scenery for the
"Jcwess,' at the New York Academy of Music.
ASSEMBLY ROOM.
This noble apartment, forty-two by eighty. eight
feet in area and forty feet in height, is intended
to tho double purpose Of q foyer and q
supper when balls given In the theatre II has
a Gothic ceiling, with pendant ornaments, and bears
miniaure resemblance TO Westminster Hail. From this
apartment may walk out upon the portco over the
entrance.
In the basement under the vesbule is large kitchen,
forty-two by fifty feet in dimensions which is designed
TO be used whenever the requirements of dinner above
may render it necessary. 1t is supplied with dumb
WATERS ranges closets pantres and all the utensils Incl
dental TO the object IL Is intended 10 subscrvc.
To the architect Of the building Mr. Leopold Eidlitz,
great credit Is due for the tasteful and substantial
in which it has been erected the closcncss with
which his estimates have been made Tho following are
the OF the other persons who had charge Of the
work
Scenery. Hannibal Caiyo.
Stage machinery. ......... Robert McNally.
Carpchter work. ...........I, reeve NO.
Mason work.. John French
Stone cutting. .Masterton Smith Sine air.
Painting Of the houee. i. Cohn.
Gss fitting. ................s tratton & Co
Plumbing. ................. .Philbn 4 Co
Hst dir apparatus. ....... Richardson Bcynton h c.
seats .......................c ustave Herter.
Upholstery and carpets Hustled Carl.
On Friday night the auditorium and stage were lighted
up for the FIRST time for the purpose OF testng the power
OF the gas and ascertanng whether the volume Of light
sufficient. The experiment perfect success
and drew forth the unqualified appreciation Of tho dircc
tors and other gentlemen who present The illu
SION the light flashed tho scenery, perfect In
the distance Italian villa, approached
by long avenue ~ elm trees, while either side
the wings presented the appearance Of a range of
gnarod oaks adding beauty to the landscape while far Of
the peaks OF lofty mountains mingled with the deep
blue OF italian sky. Tho perspective admirable,
and reflects grch credit on Mr. Calyo, the artist. But
the effect OF the lights was, II possible finer the
drop scene which lowered at the request Of some Of
the directors Nor were these effects confined to the
stage The rich mellow tins Of the ceiling, walls and
oiagcs Of The different tiers Of seats admirably
brought out as the innumcrabe gas Jets threw food Of
light upon and around the building, and the rich orna
mcnta,ion Of arabesque work which characterized the
chandeliers in with the interior Of the building
itself contributed enhance the effect. The spccla-
tor could scarcely fail to be struck with admiration the
elegance OF the dccOratons, WhHc ala not require
very close examination be convinced that everything
was executed In SO substantial a manner TO give
promise Of greater stability than is usual in structures
OF this kind.
The building win be nauguratcd tomorrow evening
by grand vocal aud Instrumental concert which viii
embrace most Of the operate iaen At present here.
There viii be brief opening address by tho President
previous TO The performance. Governor Morgan Is
pec,cd TO be present on the 18th there win be grand
ball. for which occasion the parqucte will be boarded
over On tho 23d the associated artists commence a
short of Opera IN tho course Of which the
prima donnas, Mics Iiinckcy ami signorina Elena will
make their appearance.
The prevailing political excitement has had but little
eject uron the city theatres The husness Of the week
has been excellent at houses where special attrac
tl1r- on.rcd NAhln,a l.nrdcn Enrrcaf has