Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-03-17
a PROPOSED NEW OPERA HOUSE
The Need Of n Large Hail or Thealer
DisCussed-W!Aat They Would do for
Washington, Etc.
70 the Editor of The EVENING STAR

70 the Editor Of The EVENING STAR,
A long time has passed since the question Of
new opera house and music hall has been dis
cussed. 1t seemed at one time, Just after the
yellow fever concert given here by the PhiIhar-
monic society. that something was about to be
accomplished. Meetings were held, committees
appointed, some subscriptions promised, aud
plans were devised, and the whole matter very
thoroughly agitated. Most everybody saw the
necessity for such an improvement. But, like
many bold designs the whole affair fell through.
Since then Washington has added many thous-
ands to its population. many Of them wealthy
and cul pd while the number of fine buildings
has rapidly increased. and the general interests
of the city strongly augmented and cemented.
Neariy every other evidence of progress has
ma. Ted Itself in this beautiful capital.
There is probably no other city in the country
where sOc.ability, taste. culture and pleasure
have such a strong hold upon its population :;
and yet there are a large number Of them, / ven
ture % say. that have far better facilities for
their qualification. We need. greatly, a fine
OpeT.. house; we need music hall of large pro-
portions build il and call il what you please
th"ster opera house. music hall or any other
name Il matters not. go lOnr as Its seating and
furnishing capacities are sufficient. There is no
earf1t reason WHY It could not and should not
be bG:!t aid be made to pay handsome divi-
dead. The the9ters here with no inclination
portioned to the wants of the community, and
not il. leeping with the progress of the times.
III any great actor or singer comes along these
places 80 small that increased prices are
levied and are often too hard to bear and yet
musCa! and dramatic performances are well
paIroHZed, for DO one denies the truth that
this is a city of critical taste and is generous
and enthusiastic in responding to all
exhibitions Of the higher arts of the musical and
dramatic school. With nearly two hundred
nd irfl1 FONTS of ,Ir toct hny.
except through bad management, could it be
otherwise than paying opera house. The
season here is as long as In Philadelphia, New
York. baltimore, Cincinnati or Chicago; We
have more changeable populatian which as
sures full houses: we have our share OF literary,
music i and dramatic soceties--in fact O larger
number than any other city in proportion to the
population. All these interests could be Con-
centrai"d In the enterprise, esthetcaliy and
financially.
times in one year this city has gatherings of
some kind which bring thousands, and we have
no building large enough to accommodate them.
An Inaugural ball, OF theatrical or musical en-
tertainment at such times is only an aggrava-
ton. "a 80 few are able to gain admission.
Then again. such a thing as May festival
or crand musical festival is an impOssi-
bility except in a depot or market house.
The capital Is Just the place where such pro-
jects ought tn be fostered and where they evil
IDENTITY would center if the one drawback was
overcome. IL seems strange that. with ell these
ADVANTAGES. some energetic citizens Of means
have not taken hold of such an enterprise with al
almost certain assurance Of popularity and finan-
cial success. Our art. dramatic, literary and
musical societies could be provided with suit
able rooms at fair prices. and thus be enabled to
Concentrate their interests. Such place would
have the effect of fostering, encouraging and
increasing such organizations the city pro-
crosses. A convenient site should be selected,
the building should be ornate. cOmmOdiOus.
well adapted to the wants of the drama
and the institutions connected with it.
1t could be- so constructed as to pay the interest
on the Investment 10y rental of offices and rOOins
without trenching on the income from the main
auditorium. There is about one chance in
hundred for such building to be failure.
Would that such public spirited man as Will
liam W. COrcoran might catch the idea Of he
has not already, and see the utility and the
necessity for such an enterprise. Perhaps it is
too late Tor the National Rifles to adapt their
projected armory partially to such an object.
If they cannot, why could not the Washington
Light Infantry take the matter under advise
Inent when they erect theirs. Why not at once
foster this movement SO that at the opening Of
another season, or at least as early as another
presidential inauguration we may have such
structure at once, an ornament and conven-
fence E. J. B.