National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-02-22
WALLIS NEW oPERA HOUSE.
The Opening Might - Description Of the
building,

Tho Opening Night - Description Of the
BuildinG.
The opening Of Walls New Opera House this
evening gives to our citizens not q large but
beautiful and splendldly appointed theatre.
In the building Of this theatre the architect
Mr.. clifford, has combined the valuable eNpe-
riences gained In building twenty theatres pre-
most perfect model that might be devised II n As
perfect ~ tho necessary construction OF the
main building will allow, anil all will see that In
Its acoustic properties, In the arrangement Of
seats, In ventilation, and In convenience Of In
gress and exit Mr. OXFORD has been exceedingly
happy. -
Passing up the steps Of the main entrance, un-
der very handsome and substantial portico,
visitors Will nnd themselves 10 vestlhule most
charming In Its effects. II IL delicately frescOed
and ia walls are hung with pictures Of all the
muses-Cilo, who presldes over history; Euterpe
over music: Thalla over festivals; MelpOmene,
the muse Of tragedy; Terpslchorc, the muse Of
dancing, TfaiO over lyrlc aud amorous poetry;
PolyhyIinia over singing and rhetoric; CaliOne
over clOGueuce and heroic poetry, and Cfanla
over astronomy and philosophy.
THE AUDITORIUM.
The arrangement Of seats In the ditOTium IL
such that each one OF them commands q fun
view Of the stage. In fact, u Is little dlnicult
IN making choice Of what might he termed the
hest one. The orchestra chairs number GS6,
They are Oi the same pattern used IN the Grand
Opera house anh at NiblO's, New York, and are
foil ur, OF course, making II easy to pass those
already occupied. They arc painted In subdued
cOlors, Of brown and lead and In perfect har-
mony with the main CClOrs Of the walls aud
ceiling.
ruE DRESS CIRCLE
Tho dress circle runs around the entire audi.
ported by iron plllars, artstIcally decorated In
white, blue and gold. The seats VI the dress
circle arc richly upholstered with bright hOiy
Brussels Competing. The rafting round the front
q N4#lFg 10 a. ~ al lea
pillars, trimmed with blue and gold. II contains
l2n seats, and every one VI them rOInmands q
fun view Of the stage.
The gallery is built back Of the dress circle, "
appropriately painted AMI ornamentcd, AMI has
capacity for 30 persons, and for purposes Of see
Ing and hearing from i the beat we ever saw.
ruE CEILING,
The ceiling Is handsomely frcscOei, and frOIr
la centre depends q large chandelier, with "a
Immense reflector above, which will shed !
still there are brackets on the side walls, and II
| harmony with the other decorations, they, too
are In blue aud gold. on the arch spanning tn,
footllghts there Ia rne portrait u Shakespeare
The STAGE.
| The stage Is seyenly-eignt by thrty-siN teet
AMI Is constructed with reference TO every pos
| sible requirement OF the drama, and for all IN,
purposes Of the ballet and spectacular llspla!
| scarcely has an equal In the county. Under
| meath the stage are convenient dresslng-roOma
ssh I'M r6o az apn hs WI W me meL an
| furnished. Besides these there Is abundan
! room under the stage for all tnp-work and 10
| the accommodation Of ballet corps, chonses o
any number Of performers necessary to have u
| the theatre.
Tive above description gives only q blrl's-ey
| view OF the new theatre, but agreement wit
these ideas OF its beauty and convenience wi
! probably be made by the public.
JOSEPH JEfFERsoS.
Mr.. Joseph jefferson arrived In the city las
evening, coming from the North, where he ha
been playing to Immense houses. His unnvnle
rendition Of the yOrite role OF Rip Van Wink
will be much enjoyed by our citizens tO-nigh
At the ticket ONCE they will be greeted by N
| eycr-pOlite and genial Sessford,