Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-05-13
The Very Best Order and Decorated with
Rare Good Taste for the Occa.
siOn-The Stage
With Its Sounding Board All that Archi-
tect Cock Promised it should be.
and Prof. Downs is Satisfied.
The Acoustic Effects a Delight to the
Most Exacting-AII the Commit
tees Resting on Their LaureIs.
Sketches Of the Artists TO Sing at the
Concerts, and Names Of All the
Mozart Choristers.
Programmes for Each COneert-Ryery.
thing in Readiness for Three Over.
flowing and Brilliant Audiences.

flowing and Brilliant Audiences.
The Exposition building and it's surround
ings have undergone complete metamor
phosis. A large force of men have beer
busily engaged the past several weeks, among
them florists, carpenters, painters, decorators
and laborers--all under the supervision o
the Committee on Building, composed o
Messrs. Fred I. Anderson, Miles Collier, E
Lehman and s. ]. Camp. These gentlem an
could not have been appointed to work where
they would have been more efficient. The
changes necessary were Of 30 important naiur,
as 10 demand experienced minds to conceive
and adopt. But they were determined thai
their noIk should be perfect and called to
their aid the well-knOEn architect, Mr.. J. 3
Cook, whose ekill in the science Of archi
lecture made him valuable auxiliary, and
o whom is due largs share of credit for
the perfection of all the details demanded in
putting the building in proper shape for the
great occasion. e---
THE ENTRANCE.
The front yard or entrance 10 the court
has been changed into park-hke appear
ance. The old rickety fence and gateway
have been torn away, the ground leveled and
covered with tanb bark, tue magnolia trees
trimmed up, and the enrancs-way defined by
two large iron y4tes.tep feat high, in which
will be planted rare plauts and flowers The
outer Vestibule has been cleared of all former
unsigbtliness, the walls repainted in brig hi
colors, and such other repairs male as to
give generally new appearances. The little
ticket-seller'a pagoda has been similarly
treated. The walls of the outer vestibule arc
hdsg with enic drapery in gilt and bright
colors, which will give pretty effect under
The strong rays Of the electric lights in front
Prominent points in and about this place are
ornsmented with plants ami flowers and
stands of evergreen.
THE INNER vEsTIBULE.
There are two doors OF entrance, one Lead.
ing 10 the aisles, promenades aud stairWays
on The right, the other TO those On the left
Neat and convenient arrangements are fixed
on either side of both these doors for the
ticket-takeTs, so situated a. TO in no way
cucumber the free entrance 10 the vestibule,
at the same time be able 10 gather ia the
cards of admission and prevent intruders
from gaining improper access. The walls OF
the inner -pssiibnls have also been dAeorasSa
with scenery, while the floor contains au
attractive arrangement OF floral and ever
green display. Here the hsndiTork of the
paiqter begins TO add its pleasing features 10
the scene of Transformation. Tue old panels
have been retouched in fresh colors, broken
ceiling and flooring repaired, and all the
surroundings restored to condition Of
freshness pleasiog TO the eyesight Of the most
aesthetic visitor.
THE VAST AUDITORIUM.
On the right and left of the inner vesti-
bule are the grand entrances into The vast
- k.-.1
Of those familiar with the former torn down
condition Of the structure will be dszsd at
the complete changes that have been wrought.
There is nothing left of its former bleskuess
that would identify it a. the same place. The
FIRST that strikes the eye will be the profu-
sion of decorations with flowers, evergreen,
and flags of all nations, among the latter of
which, OF course, that Of our own land pre-
dominates. Here several moments will be
required to take in all the attractive display.
The stage itself, Of which a description will
be given in auother place ia this article,
presents picture of grandeur that the cold
est sensibilities 10 art pictures eau hardly
resist some manifestation OF delight, and
from tie more aesthetic elicit expressions of
pleasure and admiration. The orderly m an-
ner snd architectural precision in which the
decorations have been arranged, the aisles
and promensdes defined and chairs placed,
strikes the visitors eve, and at glance
gives some idea Of the yasines8 of the under
lazing,
~lsE FLORAL AND FLAG DECORATION.
The pillars supporting the galleries on
either side, and which divide the sections of
seats from the promensdss on The right and
left, are converted into apparently living
bowers OF evergreen, the branches OF ore in.
H. rlapping with those Of the other, forming
at the top continuation of cedar aud ar5or
.vise festoons. Each pillar is surmouuted
with picture OF one of the old masters,
beginning at Ell her side Of the stage with
Mozart, Schumaun, Beethoven, Mendelssohn,
|B sch, Verdi, Meyerbeer, Handel, Wagner,
Schubert, Rossini and Liszt, all in the order
msntioned. Each of these is set in
wreath OF evergreen, sround which is
Araped two American aigs and one repre-.
tenting the nationality Of tue Composer
whose picture it decorates. Above the line of
jlecor atious, at the top of the gallery, is an.
plher display OF American flags, larger aud
more pretentious.
THE PRo1rENADEs.
The sides underneath the galleries have
been iudlciously reserved for promanades,
Ind, OF course, will become the standing
Foomn section. The floors are covered with
mating, 80 as to avoid the possibility Of
boiss from the restless Islanders" moving
lround and shoffling their feet during The
Performance Tue walls of these sSctious
! . also decorated with taste, and add to the
picturesque appearance of-the auditorium.
THE AIsLEs.
But two aislss have been reservsd-ons in
he center, and extending the entire length
bf the building, of convenient width TO sd-
hit OF the easy pIssaga of six persons
breast. The other aisle extends crosswise
be building about its center, and affords
Iafs and easy exit from auy of the chairs to
pyomensdes on either side, or to the
naIn aisle, thence to the main entrance.
COMFORTABLE SEATING CAPACITY.
The arrangement of seats in the grand
Auditorium has been done with an expert
need eve to comfort and convenience. The
body of chairs ia divided into faur grand
divisions by the two aisles above described,
Ind altogether sre subaiVided in,o sections
/ represented by the seven lett "a OF the alpha
{ bet we'll known to musicians as the five tones
. md two srmi-iones OF the diatonic scals-A,
c, d, E. F and G This, no doubt, was
be idea of those Who conceived this arrange
tient of the chairs, but the writer was not 20
nformed. The sections begin with letter A
LcdFttl tuc ttNkrg hist t0n
ows on either side of the main aisle, each
ow containing thirly-two chsirs, section
hus embracing $50 sesla, ard the fuire
even sections 2240 chairs ca the main Il or
he chairs are fastened together A. con
FeuIent distances by being nailed 70 ihir
trips OF wood, holding them 6rnly, 20 that
hey cannot he detached. The rows are theu
Iranged sufficiently far apart 90 admit o
asy passsg" between without annoyance L
+ occupants, sud are thus fastened 10 the h)or
q the disposition Of premium seats sections
and d were designated
STHE BOUQUET SECTIONS"
pom the hypothesis that they were ia thu
most eligible part OF the house as rsgar5t
distance from the stage, and where n,
ounds from this voices and inssrume.E
yould strike the ear more Pleasantly than il
ther sections, uearer 10 or further aWay. /
vas in these sections that nearly or quit
III the premium seats we're selected, especial
that Of
ME- EUGENE LEIDY,
beuior member of the firm of Lsidy & Co , tn
bldest hat company now in business in ih
tity, and who wss'the purchaser OF the FIRST
ehoice premium ticket, paying $500 for il
Meeting Mr.. Leidy while making up ou
aotes for this history, we asked him if h
lao 0eelguAteu MS srdt, duu II 80 10 polut
but to Us. He replied that he had selecte
bne cover there somewhere, but I don't re
nenber It's exact locality"
Il sappose it will be amoag the features i
olnt Of decoralionp we asked.
;si6dsed not, sir. You are like all thes
fpeo6Ie who have taken it into thei
oshsE hat /, like my illnstrious New Yor
hssSSs hsSscsssSie = r. Genin. purchased the SCI e,
- 30 =. ~ thtat was furthest from m
woe, had but one motive, and thI
9songn| ~ interest of our Mozart Society.
= home fksiiution of which we all ougl
.ot only to tesf proud, but extend TO it
avery way poA.ibls helping hand. The ss
Of toe irst csoas,> s> for seats [ cOncei'ed to
seent under lhe Mozart auspices a graz
s,eOn, sz&>in snst spirit I asde up n
-