The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-10
OPERA IN THE WEST.
Mr.. Grau's Chicago Comprehensive New
Troupe I'm Faust Last Eventng-Im-
mense Success.


CHICAGO Nov. Q, 1895
This evening an entirely cast appeared in Faust,
none OF the artists having sung in Trovatore last night
II was the first appearance Of each OF them in America
The cast was as foows:Signorina Leonilda Boschet
as Marguerite, Mile olga Olgni siebe Sgnor Anastas
as Faust sgnor Felice Brandni Mephstopheles and
Signor Augustus Fellin as vaentin.
The house again well filled Faust Is exceedingly
popular, and there evidently much anxiety to
and hear the new nstalment of Graus triple company
At first the artists dnident and the audience waited
patiently for demonstration OF their powers; but they
had not TO wait long, for the second very finely
sung. Anasasi is tenore di Grazia, with clear,
sweet voice, highly sympathetic and Of great fresh
ness wuhal He lie handsome tenor, and made
o sensation among the ladies' The Mephisopheles Of
Brandini was splendid piece of acting His voice is
not profound, howcver-the cold OF the climate evil
IDENTIFY affected it-but the high notes very fine
Signora Boschetti ncomparably the best Marguerite
we have seen the American stage. She has beaut
full face and tall graceful figure and her acting
combination Of infinite grace and simplicity, and
In the garden fairly held the audience
spelbound She recalled at the sentiment
OF Goethe and the ideay OF schaefer We
prsed that the Italians invested her with the title Of the
Queen Of Margucrites signorna Ogini made charming
siebel She quite young, exceedingly pretty and petite
ana carried the house by the flower song which
she had to repeat. Boschett made such triumph in
Marguerite that Gran will probably be compelled to devil
atelfrom his design OF not repeating any opera
Tom morrow evening kynani will be produced, with
Noel Guid, Musiani Orlandnl and a basso Q.ads-
laps siiileri) in the cast.
Grau has at his command the largest opera troupe
engaged by any impressario in the country and
he appears disposed to employ them to the
full desire Of the public. Several operas
are In daily rehearsal under the
tagging exertons of Muzo-among them L'Africaiae,
So6o, Lemre .Semran,ide Oteuo and William TELL The
scenery for Arcane from the Paris MODELS Is superb
testify from careful examination. The cos
Tunes which made in Paris, by Nannon are also
cedingy beautiful.
Gazzsnga has yet APP cared but is announced for
Thursday next in Faporitd. The public anxious
hear this shining star OF the company, and the an
noupcement is greeted with unmsakable satisfaction
Opera in the provinces has hitherto been Of a purely
experimental character Until the present
manager has ventured TO make arrangements for II in
the Eastern and Western cities independent Of such
sources the metropolis affords The lovers OF
music outside this favored centre of the arts had
TO wait patiently until had used up whatever
freshness Of attraction to be found in the
singers imported here This did very well SO long as
operate matters carried here with energy and
lberality; but il found that they had
fallen into the hands Of SPECTATORS whose only
object was to make money regardless of tho interests OF
art and whose policy IL WAS TO engage only third and
fourth rate singers the people OF the provinces de
termined render themselves unsteady independent Of
u.s. They began by building several splendid opera
houses In the leading cities and the erection Of that
Chicago completed the chain OF arrangements neccs
sary 10 effect their object This accomplished
Mr. Grau encouraged TO proceed Europe and en-.
takings into the shade. How we'll he has performed his
task and how humiatingy we are now playing second
fiddle 70 city that has sprung like fungus in the will
derness secret TO those who have any acquaintance
with musical Affairs But let the people Of the meropo
lis find out all tins for themselves n they satisfied
TO BIO humbusged they afford pay for their whistle
We have 10 deal at present with that section the
country in which music exhibiting the most marked
evidences Of progress and Its and vital source,
the following description Of the Chicago Opera
House cannot fail To interest our readers
This magnificent building rs Of the most ele.
CANT and commodous Of It's kind in the world, and is
situated In Washington street, midway between Ran
dolph and Madison streets and State and Dearborn
Tho very centre Of the fashionable part Of the
city, and easily accessible by street railways The style
OF the exterior 10 modern French with windows
IN the roof, and was designed by Mr. volk, tho well
known sculptor IL 10 four stories high and Is faced with
Athens marble The csnre Of the 'front.' for width Of
twenty ihlss Feet, projects n ssmeiIyular forms
feature which also In the theatres Of Antwerp
and Mayspce. The grand entrance Of MARBLE seven
teen fes wide BY twenty-five foot high The spandrils
arc elabsrassly carved and crowned with tasteful medal
lion cornces sarmounted by parapet containing pedes
sas for four statues Of he Muses. from tho chise Of Mr.
volk. s,ys~w. ~~
Tn( lower part Of the building 10 devoted to music and
confectionery stores and In the second story there are
accommodation for artists studios.
me auditorium and stage occupy The entire OF the
building and cover slghsy-sx feet wide by one hundred
and ny feet in depth and sixty feet from parquet
ceiling Access 70 the auditorium gained through the
opening " the centre Of the 'front.' up flight Of stairs
with quaint carvings either side then through the
corridor or passage above mentioned and three large
door opssings In connection with this corridor
spacious rooms with apartments for the toilet
robe Of visiton The means Of egress ample, not
only through she doors for ingress but also through
openings prepared specially for that purpose and lead.
| ing into STATE street.
The auditorium eighty. feet wide by ninety feet
In Depth and divided followsFirst, the orchcs-
| ira psrQpst and the dress circle the main door
Second the balcony circle, with private boxes in the
centre and open sofa seats Third, the family circle.
The orchestra feet wide by thirtysix feet In
Il ptfVucs Az" pAfVuot utc1 Ciffie oro
posed Of sofas made OF solid black walnut and mum.
Der Of orchestra chairs OF large dimensions and Of un.
usual elegance and comfort occupy the 'front.' The bal
cony circle marked by It's division Aftysix private
boxes near the Of the house, these furnished
with elegant carpets and chairs The balcony and family
circles are supported by light iron columns with
mented capitals. whence spring finely we'd brackets,
supporting the extended balcony. These brackets are
carved with otesquc faces and quaint devices OF var-
kinda The main oornicc Of the auditorium sup.
ported from the walls by projecting corbes ornsmentsd
| with carved mouldngs and medaons The ceiling IL
panelled with heavy ribs, dverging from the central
DOME which also panelled and ornamented with rich
| cornices
The ceiling the proscenium is formed Of single
large panel on which frcscoed Aurora copied from
IL - u...l -