The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-05-17
The Opera House

Lie opera house
was four story brick building situated in
the west side of Merchants Row. its front
being built of Milwaukee brick and fronted
to the east. The Opera hall occupied the
third and fourth stories and was reached
from the street by flight of thirty steps.
AT the head of this first flight of stairs
was hall running north and south, some
thirty feet In length. at the end of which
was the wide entrance by winding stair
way to the opera hall. In this hallway the
fire was first discovered. Up flight of
stairs was the main hall, which
was twenty-seven feet in hight
The parquette proper was 81 by 40 feet
and had seats for 1852 persons. and, by put
ting in camp stools, at least 100 more could
be accommodated. The parquette circle,
back OF the parquette, was arranged for
one hundred more
The balcony, running around either side
of the hall. would seat 275 persons. Tie
stage was % feet deep by 81 in length.
The auditorium was lighted by 81 two
light bronze brackets. The stage was also
lighted by % foot lights. Below the stage
were two commodious dressing rooms for
the use of actors. Above the stage, in the
angles of the proscenuml were! other rooms
upon each side equally well furnished
Above the stage and extending the whole
length was an extensive rigging loft. with
The curtain was of the usual baize. The
tormentOr border was a free combination of
colors, representing rich and heavy drapery
and was fine piece of art very attractive
to the eye, and exhibited much skill. The
properties consisted of a complete set
of stock scenery not equaled outside of our
large cities, comprising among others n
Il a. 80
street, rocky pass, parlor, kitchen,
chamber, and other artistic adornments.
Each of the above sets of scenery had cor
responding wings and borders, presenting
an agreeable and pleasant feature to those
assembled within the auditorium.
Under the stage was large property
room, designed for the storage of theatrical
property of various kinds when not in use.
The floor of the auditorium, when cleared
of chairs, was capable of accommodating
sixteen quadrilles, thus affordng the
largest and most elegant place for prom
enado concert to be found in Vermont.
The walls and ceiling of the Opera
House were finely pannelled while the
wood work was tasteful and substantial.
The building was heated with hot air
from two air furnaces in the base
ment and was properly ventilated.
oItdb Dulus MclC l1htH W IuC
building fire proof in all its sections. The
workmanship was thorough throughout,
and the proprietors had with rare taste
adapted it to the wants of the town.
From this scene it will be readily seen that
the Rutland opera house was among the
most commodious and finest, for the pur-
poses for which it was intended, in New
England, and has been said by many ac-
tors and lecturers to have been the most
convenient, of its size, in the whole state,
and was a great success n fit GROWING
of the magnificent enterprise of our veneer
able townsman, Mr.. Ripley.
On Tuesday evening, December 90, 1868,
the Rutland opera house was opened with
the most magnificent concert ever given in
Vermont iE which the celebrated
singer, Parepa Rosa was crowned with
success
We condense from the reports of the
day the following account of the
OPENING CONCERT
Before the hour of commencing the hall was
nearly filled by highly respectable audi
ence, who testified to the excellence of the
various performances by the most enthusi-
astic applause The selection of music in
cluded both vocal and instrumental of the
highest order. The dedication made by
our townsman, Prof. Geo. A. Mietzke, was
received with that degree of appreciation
which it so emincntly deserved. The
dedication ode by Mrs Julia G. (Ripley)
Dorr, the distinguished poetess and writer,
daughter of the founder of the Opera
House, was read by Henry F. Field, Esq,
who evinced true idea of the spirit and
purpose of the ode and the occasion,
Probably no production of its character
was ever so finely and effectually rendered
in Vermont, as by the reader on the &C.
casion. His eloccution was faultless, and
its author and reader were both most
warmly congratulated upon the happy
manner in which 1t was read and received
Mr. Colby presided at the organ,and showed
that skill which can only be secured from
long acquaintance with that instrument.
Mr.. Brookhouse Bowler, the celebrated
English balladist, in the songs which he
rendered, plainly indicated that he had no
superior in his particular department of mu-
sic. His voice was equal to the utmost
demands of the higher notes, and i'm
method through evidently the result of
industrious study. Madame Parepa Rosa,
in the storm, had favorable opportunity
to show how completely she could com
maDd her voice. The "Nlghtingale Trill,
was perfect labyrinth of melody and can
not be described Her voice was sweet
and musical and was possessed
of great delicaoy and power, which had
never before been equaled here. She was
frequently cncored, and responded by
"Sweet spirit, hear my prayer"
Signor p. Franti seemed to take the au-
dience by storm. Mr.. Carl Rosa, the vic.
linist, shared some of the honors of the
occasion by his rendition of " Home, sweet
home Mr.. Levy with his cornet devel-
oped its possibilities beyond the concep-
tions of his audience. The occasion was
one glorious ovation, and was success
from beginning to end, as well as highly
gratifying to the large audience, and graft
flying to our former able fellow citizen, its
| founder