The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1878-05-09
Grand Reception at the Craigniles Opera
House.

When the hour of 8 80 D.. m, Nav l
1873, had been registered upon the dial
OF the great clock, the portals 10 IN,
Opera Hall were rolled back upon the
massive hinges, opening wide the en-
trace for waiting guests TO pass Ill,
gateway, ascend the easy flight of stair
way and TO enter the reception room
where gentlemen of the city, with
stately honOrs, were received rs at Ia,
court of Louis XII.
The dedication ceremony was per.
formed by Col. Dave Nelson, who, I'm
glowing language, painted the ine
arts OF the past, present and future,
paying a mal ked compliment to the la
dies, In flOwery expressions.
May day had brought offerings from
R%oseland, fragrant and beautiful, with.
in the well proportional rotunda, one
could amagine the echoings of music
were already there
The music gave forth, as Tolian
harps, touched by skilled hand the an
nouncemcnt that all was ready. The
opening was given in the grand "Fcast
OF Flora quadrille, in which living
Movers were given clusters Of eight,
Ike Doquets from gardens Of roses. The
Cycinnic with its dashing steps ".Away
to the Meadows" next given. The Fcs-
tinala was received with pleasure in
the gliding steps, Swallows Home
ward Flying" The Zulma L'Oriental,
Gorlitza, RedOwa, Mazurka, Varsouvi-
enne, Esmcralda, Duck Trcmps, which
fancy creates and weaves in motion
and the Pavan cotillion, with its many
%cOlOrs, were presented.
The dimensions of the musical hall
arc 30 feet long, ~ feet wide, and ~
feet nigh, lighted by numerous lamps.
The stage il stocked with full parap-
%hernalia of wings, flies drops &c. For
the Workmanship of the internal ar
Engagements, honors are due the archi-
tect, l.. ID. Spraguc. For the tints 50
admirable blended, Mr.. McGriff WORTH
~ bears the l%aurels. The portraits OF
Washington and Shakespeare, Sheridan
has incarmadincd. With bold relief
the canvass presents the scenes: the
woodland view ali We with oak, leaves.
MOSES and ferns. In the drawing
room scene the architect of paint word
faithfully executed the kitchen scene
true to actual existence.
The master effort was produced IN
the drop curtain: Venice and its is
lands, with streets of water, brilliant
arcades; magnificent palaces, with
foundations in water, domes in clouds /.
cathedrals with lofty spires piercing
the skies; the grand canal, bearing on
its bosom lost fans, torn rose leaves.
sheets of music and gOndolas-the Rial
to stretching its massive masonry over
the tell-talc waters beneath. The city
that Pallado planned, Titan adorned,
Iasso sang, Sheridan painted-waS be-
fore us. Il
\ y Mr.. Craigmilcs truly deserves
warm praise for the liberal aid given
to the fine arts, and to the city Of Cleve-
land in the handsome structure of the
Temple of Music that proudly bears his
name, within whose walls Il Venitian
night of pleasure was passed. MEM
Orable occasion.
Visitors here and there in groupes,
noted the passing costumes, robes,
dresses, silks and laces, for the Goddess
Fashion were there with her many vo-
%tarics, each worthily claiming laurel
us they tlOated like sea foam DER the
golden shells meath mondays sun, IA
seen through a cloud Of rose leaves anG
whispering myrtles, awakening dreams
of fairyland. Some studied statues OF
men and women, noted the well turned
features and the intellectual reflection
Of mental wealth. Others listened t.
the gentle tones ofthc orchestra. Many
admired the cOntrasted styles of beat
ties.
In the body of the Opera House last
evening pOlital giants were present,
business was transacted, money and
politics discussed, ballots promised,
fortunes made and won, tales Of love
oft told to listening ears repeated,
ilowcrs given, laughing eyes won con-
quests, within the classic shades OF the
temple where the opera and the drama
are to be Notwithstanding Dispatch.