The New York herald., 1868-08-20

IOtal. .......................... 221S
The character Of the improvements will be most
readily cOmprehended by o full description Of
the changes which have been made. The
parquet has been extended back to the very
front wall of the building. at each corner Of
which are two exit doors eight feet wide, besides
starcases leading to the entrance DOORS Passing
through wide doors, which also lead to two other
exit doors, the cafe is entered 1t has breadth of
aorty-hve feet and runs beneath tho pavement In
Fourteenth street and below the grand entrance
doors leading to every part Of the house. The
entrances, 1t will be observed, are direct
from the street to the boxes and parquet
the latter being reached by the two stair
cases seven feet In width. The lobby Is
spacious and convenient and will give q more
cheerful aspect to the house than hitherto pos
sessed. The boxes are now open, having prone
made behind them, which Will be far more pleasant
Tor everybody than the dsagreeabe, close boxes,
which made this circle gloomy in former seasons.
The lowering Of the dress circle has been secured by
making the alterations to which we have referred
and 1t will contain excellent sofa seats, handsomely
upholstered, which, with the new pitch given to the
door, VIII make 1t as desirable as any part OF the
house. 1t runs back to the front wall and under
is a lobby which allows visitors pass freely from
to the other side OF the house without disturbing
the audience Here, too, will be the private ofices
Of the director. An advantage gained by the lower.
fng OF the dress circle is that noticeable In the
family CIRCLE 1t has been brought down about
i've feet and the steep pitch that 1t had formerly has
been obviated by oor that has an agreeable ncli-
nation, each seat being made very comfortable and
commanding good view OF the stage. The number
Of exit doors from the boxes being nve and four
from the parquet, the house can be cleared OF its
auditors at any time with rapidity and perfect safety
The ventilation has been carefully studied, and all
the experience Of the past has been applied to
render the house acceptable in this respect as 1t
can be made by science. The improvements made
upon the stage are correspondingly important with
those In the front Of the house. 1t has been heightened
made several feet deeper and about eight feet WIDER
30 that greater scenic effects may be produced
The dressing rooms are made more capacious
than they were last year, and the communication
made with the house In the has been such that
several valuable rooms have been added for the con.
venience Of those connected with the stage. The
scenery will be Of the most brilliant and eYectve
character The largest portion Of It, for the produc-
ton Of the new operate pieces, Of which is to
be represented In the latter part OF September has
been painted by several OF the most celebrated scenic
artists Of Paris at q great expense while the in
voices Of costumes for the operas show that the
public may expect to witness a costliness in
this department such as never before has
Deen seen IN tnls country. Inc greatest activity
still prevails in every part OF this elegant theatre
Mr. Grau himself, from seven O'Clock In the morning
till evening personally supernten,s every alteration
suggesting such changes for the comfort OF his audi
tors as his judgment may deem necessary. The
acoustic properties Of the house and the ventilation
have been carefully studied and improved upon.
The artists engaged all Of high rank aud most OF
them come highly recommended from Europe.
Among them are the foowing:-
Mile. Rose Bell is the famous op6rd bou6e chan.
teuse. She has lately made the brilliant repu-
tation by her inimitabe personation OF the Grand
Duchess and by the creation OF the heroine In
"Fleur de The" She was at the Grand Opera for
three or four years. but when Oncnbach became the
rage she deserted the Grand opera to become Mile.
Schneider's rival In the works OF that
popular composer. She has been the great
star for several seasons at Brussels and
Bordeaux, and at present Is turning the heads
OF the good people Of Marseiles The enthusiasts IN
created by her performances there is said to have
been immense. As q vocalist and an actress she Is
equally brilliant and OF such character as to make
her q favorlte anywhere.
Mlle Fontanel Is described as being bright
sparkling little woman, full of glee, with charming
voice, very expressive features, talented comed
enne and has given delight TO the auditors OF seve
raj Paris theatres. At the Fantaisie Parslenne she
created recently the chief character In "Les Deux
Arequns,n q very successful operetta. She has
created also the Grand Duchess IN many provin
cial theatres.
Nnle Victoria Maurice Is said to be good comedi.