New-York tribune., 1881-03-25
COMMENTS In THIS CITY.

SINGERS AND MANAGERS WHO WERE FAMILIAR WITH
TUE OPERA HOUSE OR KNEW SOME OF 1HE
SINGERS THERR-THE CONDITION OF THEATRES
IN THIS CITY.
The news of the fatal destruction OF the
Nice Opera House created considerable impression in
theatrical and musical circles this city yeserday
Especially deep was the feeling among the members OF
Mr. Mapleson's opera company some members OF which
were acquainted with the singers burned or Injured
TRIBUNE reporter called upon Charles Mapleson yester-
day afternoon aud received from him the following
account OF the Nice Theatre:
know the Nice Opera House quito well, and must
soy that have often thought 1t would make big fire
n II ever srarted IL WI begun good many ago.
hut was not finished until lately thinkt was opened
about Ave years Il cost nearly $30OOOO' ana was
supported chiefly hy the Government. The manager
was also appointed by the Government He charged
francs for the best You know he could not do
that uness he was assisted by Government subsidy.
The opera house was about the size Of Haverys Fifth
Avenue The re but did not resemble II at all IN shape
IL was built In very careless nanuer, and was entirely
without architectural deslgn TIE outside walls were
but chiefly brick Hero and there stones were STUCK
In With no other purpose that can imagine but 10 make
the structure ugly. The interior looked rathef
pretty The walls and ceilings were richly ornamented'
gliding being spread on with lavish hand but It was
all gingerbread work. All professional persons we're OF
the opinion that 1t would burn very qulcEy' IL was
iust like score Of other lightly built structures In tue
South OF France. Being waterinRplace theatre, lis
season waz Of course very Short extending over about
three months at the most am INFORMED tnas inc
principal singer engaged there during tho present season
vas Mile R> IsIdore who scored success IN London
last Aeaaou Soc Is prOego Of the Baroness Rothschd,
but her parents hve In st. Louis"
J. H. Mapleson, ssnor Mont. senor CAmpanini ana
Dr. Clardin Mme Ge.siers husband, knew some OF the
singers engaged at os Theatre. aud we're anected
by the tldInRs of the calamity Mr. hapleaon SAID;
od,oy WIN uRlt BOprQnO, ana sang some
years ago IN tbis city with Mile Abani inc tenor was
NJ. De viers, Fronchman ABOUT m S w. stsge "a
Signor Carnone was tho baritone. The basso was M
Sears Of aye ana has enjoyed wide reputation on the
Continent for many years. Ferdinand srakoseh oe
evo. was the imr 'ssaro Oh ,re ,no "N 'e"OA
signor MOnti was acquainted with M. Miller ana was
very rnuen affected by the news on MS ihJuTles Dr
Gardpi said that the the atre situated IL the old
part OF the city aud though i, yrint %
nd nor i'm nOau9 WA interesting from lts quaint ap
pcarsnce He Thought IT'S seating capacity was s900s
1000. and 1t nad large number OF sm1 h,en S rs
Campanin during tue con'esntlon oetweeu .n1 ,. TO
porter and Mr.. MapesOn stood near BY listening atLen
ssre9 iasuSTonS Of horror ana pity French He was
acquainted with nearly all the persons Ia sns M
nnrssfsd In many minds in the old question Of
easy means OF from theatres tne relrte. SNs
,y 70 learn te present Facilities for escape ca.e Of
need. Tue nansEers OF the houses 81 .h
elves aa in with the seriousness OF tne umasr
at Nice aud were unanimous IN claiming tnst tneir
theatres are provided wts as many enls az % Gsn
nossDIy be procured At the Standard, Manager hen-
derRon said 49, A.. A.. . .h.o..a Thara
always dsllke TO hear OF q hrn In theatre IneIe
"a nntbing manager breads so muont believe ne mas
az great horror Of II slp captain We tuOw that
sh are invariably attended with more or less loss OF
ife n the nome is crowded and we cannot DO 100 mucn
to make escape easy matter believe tns Standard
con clam 10 be q pretty safe house, IL Is not large
.saatre and has plenty OF openings. The orchestra
opens directly the lobby through twS % qSSrwSys @ iS
The lobby Ia only twenty-five feet long aod opens dl-
rectly on the street Two stsrways come a3"n r9m t
,hs ending In the lobby about ten feet ron the
s,reet doors There 10 stairway on eicn slue OF sno
hnnse Leading from the ga lery, which Is small Lhe
can 20 by the stage door INTO Ih1gV-
yarsai or they eau pass by an underground passage
asS vide TO tne front lobby. Ihe houae can DO omp
t,ed in less than three minutoS . -. ..n,, :. -
A, fha Rfiou Theatre. Joho hoCaun salo thls one