The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-11

operas without cn0ruses or scenic decorations.
ale DEvIN DU VILLAGE" BY JEAN JACQUES RoUs-
SEAU,.
and two operas of CLICK we're given under these
circumstances; and then on the 9th OCTOBER, 1881,
o theatre on the Boulevard st. Martin. con-
structed by Lenoir In eighty-six days, was ready
TO receive them, w0rkmen having been employed
day and night upon 1t TIL finished. 1t cost $780, COO
ana contained 1890 spectators. IL was subse-
quenty enlarged. and the opera renamed tuerer
till 1894. Lenolr had only guaranteed its soldity
for thirty years. but 1t lasted for ninety years. TIL
It was burned down in the last days Of the Com
mune. In 1893
CITIZEN BRUNEr-MoNTENsIER, A LADY,
built National Theatre In the Rue de Ia Loi, now
called Rue Richelieu. 1t was considered the finest
then existing IN Paris and the opera took possess
sion oft. Here, Tor the first time at any French
opera house, the spectators in the Dit were pro-
vided with means OF sitting down, and those snug
little boxes for two people. where one can see
without being seen, were first introduced to the
Parisans, among whom they soon became an In
stltution. 1t was here, on the 18th February 1920
that the Due de Berry was assassinated by LouveL
The last sacrament was administered TO this
Prince by the Archbishop OF Paris on express
condition that the building should be pulled down.
and that the site OF 1t should never again be ap-
propriated to theatrical purposes
AN ExPIATORY MONUM EMIT
even, was commenced on the spot; bur q new re
voluton prevented Its completion. The fountain
which now stands in the midst OF the square Lou
vols alone marks the scene OF this momento us
episode In French history.
The opera company performed subsequently till
the 18th OF May, 1921, at the Sale Favart, which
was vacant at the time OF the Dukes MURDER and
then removed to the Sale LouvoIs till new build-
ing was erected Tor them on the
which had formerly been occupied py the Ministry
OF War. 1t cost about 5000, 600 and was opened on
the 10th OF August, 1921. 1t was here that gas
first used In French opera house, and the place
was OF course burnt down IN que time.
AN IMPERIAL DECREE OF NAPOLEON Ill.,,
dateo the Goth OF september, 1860, declared the
building OF new opera house co be work of pub
lie utility, and after tnnumerable competitive
examinations M. Charles GARNER was finally
selected as the architect intrus,ed with what was
understood to be grand national undertaking.
CONDITIONS IMPOSED ON THE ARCHITECT.
1t was required that the new opera house should
be OF easy access, with an entry where 800 car.
rages could set down their occupants under cover
from the cold within a quarter OF an hour that
covered galleries should be provided also IOr
pedestrians and the distribution OF places; a
guardr0om for twenty-five infantry men and an
other, with stables, for ten cavalry soldiers; quar-
Jers for policemen, guardians OF the peace; three
principal sraircases and sufficient number OF
back stairs to facilitate ngress and egress; walt
ing rooms, properly heated; q large saloon place
Tor the flower girl and for tue bookstals attached
to the theatre; dressing rooms, convenience for
medical attendants In case OF accident and water
closets at every stage; place Tor the upholsterer OF
the theatre; space for 1000 spectators. These
were the primary conditiOns the grave questions
OF heating ana lighting were reserved.
The requirements for the Emperor and his suite
were also the subject OF specific stipulatiOns. A
box was demanded for His Majesty on the side
at the left OF the house, and 1t was ordered
that the staircase leading to 1t should be easy OF
ascent and have but few steps, There was to be
an antechamber for the imperial guard, saloon
for the esde-camp, grand saloon for the En-
peror; boudoir for the Empress, with dressing
rooms and water closets. The imperial box and
apartments were to be entirely separated from
the rest OF the theatre. The vestibule preceding
the imperial staircase was to be large, OF easy
cess, and opening on . porch large enough to ad-
nit the imperial carriage. with TWO carriages Of
the Emperor's suite and His Majesty's escort. In
immediate proximity to this porch was to be
Coach house large enough to mold three carriages,
with the horses harnessed to them, and stabling
for the horses OF the grooms; sufficient conven-
fence and stabhng for twenty cavalry soldiers ana
b
for picket OF infantry, composed Of thirty men
and an officer; guardr0om for ten horsemen Of
the cent. Gardes and stabilng for their horses; a
servants hail for twenty lackeys. In Short the
imperial party required accommodation for about
one hundred persons fifty horses and several car
riages The pavilion, which Is entered by the Rue
Scribe, IS the result OF tins necessity, and is said
to have done something to spoil the harmony OF
the building.
Very little latitude indeed was left to N. GARNER
in every respect. 1t was decided by the govern
ment OF the Second Empire that every part OF the
interior decoration OF the building should present
an appearance OF extraordinary luxury and rich
ness OF 0rnamentatton. Sculpture, painting. mar
BILE and bronze were to appear all over 1t, and
there was such q prodigality Of decoration IN.
sisted on that the space OF the stage was re.
strlcted to leave room Tor 1t, because the decora-
tors were unable to find works Of art sufficient
Tor larger one. 1t may be said, therefore, that
NJ. Garner has done well under the restrictions
i'm posed upon him, but that he might have done
better II left alone. Those restrictions were so
minute and vexatious that he was required to
leave SUFFICIENT height for the drop scene to be
raised III one piece. without folding, IN the same
manner as the theatre at Dresden; and the conse
quence Is tnat the stage, seen from the upper
boxes; presents
THE APPEAkANCE OF A YORKSHIRE PIE,
and is, on the whole, ''squatty." Moreover, the
accommodations supposed to be necessary Tor the
service OF the theatre have an exorbtant guam
tity OF room. There Is not only an apartment for
the upholsterer. but also one for the water man
and his hydraulic apparatus; depot Tor the gas
machinery another for the gas mans materials,
and laboratory for him; laboratory for the ply
stefan in charge Of the electric lght an apart.
ment for the chief mechanic and his subordinates;
another for the chief lighter man, and a common
room for sixty-three scene Shutters with another
room for the amplighters.
The department. OF the tage-manager is provi.
ded with an anteroom for the call boys, a recep.
ton room for the stage manager. an ONCE for the
director Of singing office for the master OF the
ballet ana q common room for the superintendents
OF the theatre.
The private boxes OF the artists are each pro.
vided with private entry, separating 1t from the
common corridor and have wardrObes attached