New-York tribune., 1883-06-17
TIE NEJV OPERA HOUSE SCENERY
A TALK WITH THE SCENE PAINTER.

TALK WITH 1HE SCENE IAiN lH"'
LAYING OUT THE WORK ON AN EXTENSIVE SCALE.
Charles Fox, the scene painter, was hard at
work yesterday in paint-lOft OF the Grand opera
House making models Of scenery for the new opera
House. when a TRIBUNE reporter entered the room
Mr. Fox deep in thought over some changes whlcn
he proposed to make in setting the second act OF
Faust" In front of him stood a large model OF the
stage of the opera House complete in every DETAIL with
painted scenes and figures.
"This sumner" said Mr. Fox, lighting the tobacco in
a handsome meerschaum pipe, is busy one for the
painters It's their paradise. The trouble is we
can't get enough OF them"
as the Opera House that keeps them all busy Y,
"Yes," was the repy that is IL, exactly. Pm making
all the designs and models and the painters are at
work the scenery you probably saw In coipng up
to this Look at the size Of this scenery there's
nothing like It, It's the biggest In the Kingdom-I beg
pardon I the Republic" Forthe momentthearlist
had forgotten that he was not in bis own country.
"Thcsc scenes" he continued, measuring his model
and making the necessary calculations are 72xi5 Feet
on the average. Some OF them even larger. Why
tie Academy of Music has 47x33 feet and they
large The wings will vary from 26 TO 80 feet In
height, and will be 10 to 10 feet In width Every scene
will be 1t should be according TO the story Many OF
the usually employed are totally Incorrect.
"Now, here's great change that Tm making In the
setting OF 'Trovstore.'" said Mr. Fox. as he pulled
some strings In the model and set the scenery OF that
opera Instead Of the rocky pass which Is always rep
resented and incorrectly too I'm setting 1t as the ruins
OF abbey according to the story This 10 the scene,
you remember where the Anvil Chorus comes in and the
ballet Is introduced. After this the exterior OF
CON- ent follows Ordinarily that Is set with dark woods
and a church appears sde Pm making 1t q con-
side and the little chapel attached to the
convent. The whole convent and chapel come on from
the side OF the at the signal to change the scene
and the Transformation in sight OF the audience
the chapel coming facing about and falling into its
proper place. It's all night scene. On the right
are woods"
"what other changes are you making in setting the
scenes T.
"well," said Mr.. Fox, going closet aud bringing
out set for another opera, Pm making sew
eral Take this IN Faust whe.e Faust is changed
TO young You never see any change OF scenery
when But I'm going to change the scene In
keeping with Fausts changed condition From chem.
lists shop he will he taken into Handsomely FURNISHED
room. -, ,., ~,
remember when the boat along through those m
cradle straight lines and part OF it concealed in the
water MrlL Im making II 80 that tao boat Will come IN
on surface the water will be seen entire and viii
c"e np to the by cirehoSs @ pain, & iT1g y,
and the reflection Of the boat In the water
will plainly by the audience The rear scene viii
show y view OF Antwerp AM this Is IT, said Mr. Fox.
pointing 10 remarkably well executed picture OF that
This scene" he continued, will be simply grand
There been such scenery anywhere The great
wing. arr set the people IN the boxes can't mid
die Of stage But It is in this respect that the new
Opera House VIII excel IT. Inc stage Is very large ana
everything will be done grand sty ~ course there
~ operas which do not require suo an extent OF
stage Tase, tor example, Lucia, and Traylata and
Sonnambua there are little scenes In them that re
quire a snal stage In those cases we shall maSe the
DO ou think there will be any changes made in the
mo / DO not II they intended 10 make any changes
thetr I'n quite they would lei Inc know Prior tn
his departure made for MIR. MspiesOh AT his request
eitftl
TO be made. THIS model was exhibited 10 the directors
I've not heafd anything about since 50 conclude
that they will make changes In the stage at least
idea waste enlarge the stage SIX ieet on each
sids aud do with II what has been done win the new
O1,era House stage. Some OF those splendid scenes
wblcn he brought from Italy had 10 he cut IN order TO
put them at the Academy. I've spent sleep
les, nights trying To lind out how could cut them
without spelling the subject iof its no easy TASK ID cut
down "a big architectural scene .
Let tell YOU It's good deal OF thing TO manage
an Italian opera eopsn con S s the e for @ Years and
Im blrsscd II can how an lmpresarlo can make any
money. Now. the idea Of paying $1,000 night Tor a
prima doLna Think Of u J Ana when such price as
mat lald IL 10 I've made mp ont or something
else Diner expenses have got 10 be cut down greatly
DO you thiuS the Opera House VIII be opened III DC
"oh. without a doubt It's got to be done. We've got
enough WORK here for the summer. As quick as the
hOuse IN condition wec going 10 begin TO paint scenes
ther. W. shall set all the painters work we can get.
IOw many models are you going To make
can't tell until MIR. Abbey Informs me how many
operas he h going TO present. leApeot 10 near from
him that subject very soOn. ,
iou might say" hi Mr. Fox the reporter started
IN 90 thai he special feature OF the mousse Is this
aud n we show a house anything OF that Kind the
gable roof or chimney Will not be- cut on by the HES
E Messrs. suaner aud Weston are painting the palace
scene IA the Grand Opera House now. 40 soon hs ih'-
ers Is closed Cor the season some OF me scehrs
Will bc painted there In the painl-lOft'
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