Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-08-05

"You want to know something about the
new Opera house, ehS" said Commodore
Davidson to the dramatic writer of the
GLOBE in reply to an inquiry yesterday
morning. ''Well, sir" he continued 'you
can tell them that it is going to be
one of the finest IN the land" and for
further particulars the scribe was referred
to the architect, MCCARTHY, Harvey G..
Carter, theatrical builder in charge of the
auditorium and stage work, and half
dozen designers, frescoers and other deco
rative artists engaged in rapidly complet-
ing the proud temple of Thespis which is
to be like thing of beauty, the pride of
st. Paul and a JOY forever.
Accepting the hint call was made on
architect Mccarthy and Mr.. Carter. The
former was found in his Office head and
shoulders deep in the study of a stack of
plans, each one of which bore enough
funny looking lines to bewilder Phila
delphia lawyer; while MT. Mccarthy was
found at the dome Of the new Opera house
surrounded by wilderness of scantlings
and frame work staging which constitute
the chrysalis of the beautiful structure to
be. Both gentlemen were in a communi-
cative mood, and in a short conversation
with each fully demonstrated that they
knew perfectly what they were talking
about. From the information obtained
the SUNDAY GLOBE is enabled to furnish its
readers with tolerably fair idea of what
the new Opera house will be when it shall
have been finished.
THE STAGE.
To commence with the ground floor, the
| basement, or that portion under the stage,
| will contain twelve wings and spacious
dressing rooms. well ventilated and lighted,
while on the stage proper, in the rear of
the boxes, eight additional dressing rooms
will be placed, making total of eighteen.
In the basement of the stage also will
4 be placed the steam heating apparatus, it
! being the intention to make the heating
and ventilation the very best in the coun
| try, but of this anon.
The stage will be model of beauty; in
size it is 50x80 feet, considerably larger
than Haverly's stage in Chicago, and
spacious enough to set with all the acces-
series, any drama or opera that has ever
| been produced in this country. The ap-
pointments of the stage are as near per-
| feet as art, skill and money can make
them. The curtain will show an opening
| of thirty-nine feet in height by thirty
eight feet in width.
The floor will contain six traps, two rows
of working bridges, hosting bridge in
the flies, five sets of grooves, each one of
which will contain five full sets of scenery
each. Seven extra sets for emergency will
also be on hand. The stage
will be illuminated by pat
ent self-ventiIating border lights
in the flies protected by wire netting; the
foot lights will be on the same principle.
LIGHT AND VENTILATION.
The house will be Illuminated through
out by electricity; in the center of the
ceiling or dome will be placed a sunlight
of great magnitude, and containing 100
jets. The ventilation will be almost per-
feet; the sunlight is ventilated by two
openings in the ceiling, while countless
cold air ducts or shafts have been con-
structed in the solid walls with openings
on the roof.
THB AUDITORIUM.
The seating capacity of the parquette
and parquette circles will be 900. At
either side of the stage twolprascenium
boxes will be placed with the same number
above, making eight boxes, each one of
which is 50 disposed as to be perfect
ly open, commanding full
view of the stage and
the audience, and vice versa, These will
be sumptuously upholstered with hangings
of plush and lace curtains of exquisite
texture and workmanship.
Right here it may be said that the rear
of the proscenium will be made perfectly
safe by canvas of fire. proof coating.
the sizing being such that it cannot
ignite.
The seats will consist of the patent ad-
Unstable spring back chair, upholstered in
brocaded maroon plush, so that they will
combine the highest degree of comfort
and beauty. A perfect harmony of color
and design will prevail throughout. The
foyer and parquette will be separated by