The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-06-11
TIE oHAR1EsroN orERA HOUSE.
How 1t can be Built and Opened by
next November.

We are informed that the proprietor OF th'
"Adger Building" have agreed to give up, to-
the purpose OF building an opera bouse, nearl!
two thirds OF the area OF that immense build
| ing, including an entrance Of fifteen feet OF
King-street. The value of the portion Of the
building to be devoted to this object, for rent
ing purposes, is estimated at $4,000. In addi
ton to which, he is willing to expend the Sum
| Of $90, 900 cash, making $4,000. The cost oi
the proposed opera house will be $50 600, the
value Of that portion Of the building TO be
taken for this object is O.0)0, making $4,000
Of which amount the protector is willing to as
sume $40,0 900, as above, provided that the citi-
zens, merchants and business men contribute
the balance, viz: $4,000, TO be paid on the
completion of the opera house. soy about 1st OF
November next.
We earnestly hope that this amount may be
raised, as the citizens Of Charleston may never
have again so good an opportunity Of building
theatre at 30 small cost to themselves.
The plan OF the opera house will combine
the best features of Wallack's Theatre on
Broadway, and of the Fifth Avenue Opera
House, New York; following mainly the plan of
the latter, which is the gem Of oil the small
theatres in this country. Our opera house will
contain orchestra chairs, parquette, balcony
seats, dress circle, family circle and gallery,
with handsome proscenium and four prosce'
mum boxes. The ceiling aud walls will be
handsomely frescoed and decorated. There
vii; be an elegant drop curtain and stock
scenery, &C., &C.. making it altogether, by far,
the most attractive little theatre in the whole
South. Its capacity will be from ten to twelve
hundred seats.
Charleston possessing an opera house OF this
description, would attract the best troupes in
the country, to give short seasons OF Italian
opsra, German Opera, Opera Bou6e, English
burlesque, spectacular pieces and the legiti-
mate drama in constant succession:
The advantages OF this undertaking to the bu-
siness Of this city by making itmore attractive,
can hardly be estimated, while it will give the
frst great impetus to the value Of real estate.
The erection of this opera house alone will
do more to attract the attention OF capitalists
who desire to make investments here than all
other efforts made therefor.
We are also informed that committee Of
prominent merchants has been organized to
70 among the business men aud citizens gene
rally to raise the ten thousand dollars required.
II raised, the theatre is fixed fact, and will be
completed by the first Of November. Mr..
Chadwick, we understand, is willing to obligate
himssH to return to the Subscribers tho
amount subscribed by them in case the build
ing should, in the next ten years, be diverted
from the purposes for which it will be fitted up.
Mr.. Chadwick has already caused his ten
ants to move out Of that portion OF the bull
ing necessary for building the theatre, and
has obtained the plans and specifications.
The latest improvements in theatres and ope-
ra houses at the North have been examined,
and he finds that the work cannot be credita-
bly, done except at q cost Of $t0.0 900 more than
he had designed or is willing to expend for the
purpose.
The advantages Of the whole plan are 80
great to our city that we cannot doubt the
success OF the movement. The money is not
to be paid down by subscribers until the build
ing is erected, and the committee can, to.
day and tomorrow, secure the SO 900 requir-
ed, the work of building the opera house will
begin ON Monday morning.
A