The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-07

let, ana tne latter az Nathan Tucker, In "A
Wiic for Day." On the I'd OF october Miss Vanden-
hon made her debut In America there in the
"Iiunchback." On the 18th OF October the opera OF
camille" was produced with Seguin, Wilson and
Miss Shirren. On the whole the season Of 1889 was
great success In the early summer OF 1910 Chip
PPendale was l manager . as KibIos and In 1871 Mr.
Ravels then at the zenith OF their fame performed
four nights week, and the town went mad over
among the novelties produced A change came
over the place at the beginning OF the season OF
1S43, when the music hall was disconnected
from the theatre. The latter was opened May
49, with company of French comedians and
vocalists from New Orleans, and the Gardens" as
they were now called, invited the public the 9th
OF Junction Sefton's company providing enter
tainments In English. The French company pro-
duced the "Fille du Regiment for the FIRST time in
this city ON the 10th OF July 1s43 In 1874 Mitchell
gave up the Olympic and emigrated to Nblo's to
open summer season In June. This season lasted
TIL October, ana then Mitchell reopened his own
theatre. C0rbyn reopened Nibo's in the fall Of
1884, and during the two following years the theatre
was continued success; but on the 18th OF Septem
her, 1846, prosperous season was brought to an
timely and disastrous end by the first fire, which
and totally ne Sns The
loss was about 100000, $4,000 of which fell upon
Mr.. Niblo and the remainder upon Gabriel
for three years, during which Mr.. Nblo remained in
retirement. But the memory OF his former triumphs
and the disgust at his present ideness soon became
Rensselaer,, who then owned the property, TO re-
build the theatre on a ten years. lease. The terms
commenced in the spring Of 1s49, and was prose-
cuted with such energy that on the 4th OF July OF the
same year the building Just destroyed was opened
the new theatre was by the Rave Troupe.
In 1850 Brougham and Chippendae were associ-
ated in the management and the presence OF the be-
witching Mary Taylor added fresh attraction. In
June Of that year Charlotte Cushman played Meg
Merrilies. In December, 1880 another disaster
having been burned to death by her clothes taking
fire during performance. On the 18th OF septem.
fst app sppearan ns Tom ' and 0n Harry pe Pi Pa
eide both used to perform In the days Of
the earlier Niblo's. The Havana Opera Company
created sensation that Is remembered yet by the
young swells of that time, now grown old Hackett,
Cooper, Fanny Kemble, the elder Booth, oil figured
on Its stage. Actors who are now famous then
waits.n
In those earlier days of Nblo's there were no cal
cum lights, no machinery moved by steam. The city
gas was furnished only as far up as Grand street.
They had to use candles for foOtghs at Niblos until
the entcrprislng manager sent over TO England ana
got gas machine by which he could manulacture
gas OF his own. There were no transformation
scenes, no elaborate sets extending apparently
far back into miles and miles Of woodland. The
scenery was only a few plain daubs that would pass
very well i the spectator was not disposed to De
critical. When the Ravels performed Mr. Niblo
says he had to go to extra expense to get up
scenery for them. 1t cost, probably, Thousand
their magic effects creditably TO show how mar
vel,ously theatrical carpentry has improved since
then, the loss by the fire OF yesterday. in the
estimated at $4,000 In those days. too some OF the
| old Knickerbockcr gentry wore knee breeches and
powdered mar. There were no cry rairC Cmns
and with "bootsn behind, used to come
swinging down the Bowcry to the stage ofice In
Park row. Fifth avenue was unknown. There was
! no Union square. Fourth avenue was Harlem
| Lane.
In 1852 Mr. Niblo sold ont his interest wholly to
| Mr.. "A. T. Stewart. The hotel meanwhile had been
built about the theatre, on the ground that was Tor
merly the garden. The opera was the Grown
duced in November, 1852, and Madame Sontag first
appeared on the 10th OF January, 1853. Simulta-
neously with Sontag's appearance the prices az
NiblOs were advanced from fifty cents TO one ana
two dollars.
The Raves took their farewell in the fall OF 1858.
In 1854 Nibo's was enlarged and redecorated, and
Castle Garden, opened by Max Maretzek In the
same summer, became Its great rival. Parodi up
peared in January 1857, and Madame Cora de VIII
/ horst made her debut on the 10th OF the same
month Placide, Brougham and Blake divided the
honors of the following season. Boucicault made
| 1850; and later In 1859 Burton played his last
OF Toodles, Cutie, Micawber and all the
IS matter Of contemporary S history It has
| seen some most interesting dramatic events. me
production OF "Arrah ma Pcgne" the nrst appear a
the 'Black Crook" and the Introduction OF the nude
ballet nasse into American theatricals are of too
recent occurrence to need further men sr,
in 1887, but 1t proved unfounded or late the thea
ace spe the dramas and in this oW Sa
profitable sphere OF artistic effort has yielded seve
raj fortunes to successive managers The "Back
Crook' was probably the greatest theatrical tr
umph financially ever produced upon any stage,
and ran three long seasons TO its author alone II
Is reported TO have given 100000, and this Is but
fraction OF the total profits realized. II will be
lief to Young with predictions for fast life and
to the thousands OF our country cousins who indulge
in periodical views OF the elephant" to know that
Mr.. Stewart has already determined to rebuild the
theatre by next September. Many will doubt, how
ever, whether 1t would not have been better for
the theatre have pcf1ghed i'm blaze of glory
ever than TO thus have its life renewed and con-
! denned to the slow ag0nics OF natural deCease-
its inevitable fate, ere many years have fed, owing
to the rapid migration OF theatre-g0ers up town.
! With the exception of the Old BOwery the theatre
| just destroyed was the oldest theatrical landmark
/ in the city.