The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-11-03
A Visit to the Grand Opera
House.
THE BISHOPRIC.
Gossip Concerning DR., Paret's Sue
Cessor at Epiphany.
YOUTHFUL MURDERERS.
Two Boys Attack Each Other with
Kpives-Ordcr Of Eiks' Election
Resistance 10 the PoIice-Attach-
ment to u Dog Rewarded.

opera,House, erected In connection with the
Washington Light Infantry Armory, will be
dedicated to the cause OF popular entertain.
ment, and thore will not BIO In tho width and
breadth OF the land a temple OF amusement
to surpassIt in perfection OF design, grandeur
OF decoration, or completeness OF appoint
mcnte.
An audience OF 1000 persons mover filled an
auditorium more perfectly arranged for their
comfort and accommodation, or faced a stage
more perfectly appointed for exhibiting to
them the triumphs and wonders OF scenic,
dramatic and operate attainment.
When CRITICrepresentativ found his way
to the imposing structure gangs OF workmen
were engaged on tho exterior, completing the
little that remains TO be done. The stone
cutters were at work carving Into tho masonry
above the armory door the letters "W. L. 1. O."
AT the opera-house entrance small force OF
ekilled workmen were engaged In laying tho
ornamental and effective tillng OF the corrl-
doris, and the reporter, passing In with the
legend ''positively no admittance," passed up
the broad stairway and found himself stand
Ing In the entrance lobby OF the auditorium
was Il striking ono. The network of scaffold-
Ing that had destroyed the view before, had
nearly oil disappeared, and tho eye mounted
upward past tho two neatly and effectively
tinted and decorated galleries to the rich and
elaborate design aud coloring OF the ceiling.
The blue, maroon and gold that were the per
vading colors formed most rich subdued
and pleasing combination, and has accom-
plished n most charming effect
inc handsome COrnlCe Oh BOlu ana Dlue, ana
the dark yet striking and artistic coloring OF
the walls completed the pleasing picture.
Turning eastward the stage challenged atten-
MUM arch OF rich design and coioring, ana by
twelve handsome boxes that have Just been
turned over to the decorators, the stage
| proper commanded consideration by Its vast
| proportions and novel arrangements.
| Separated from the auditorium by an Iron
slat wall the stage is unsurpassed In the Unit
| ted States, Its unrivalled height afrording an
| immense advantage in the handling OF large
| amount OF scenery. Far above the stage the
scene painters were industriously at work on
| the Interior OF baronial mansion, while
| newly finished and close by hung other scenes
of gardens, forests, sea and city, an array OF
scsnery 1t would seem that would AFFORD the
background for the entire repertoire OF the
most versatile OF footlight favorites.
At the sides OF the stage the side scenos
and flies were stored, above on platforms the
property man had taken up his headquarters,
and anything, from garden OF exotic plants
to lady's dressing-room, could be furnished
from the varied stock on hand.
From this interesting and promiscuous col
lection the eye naturally wandered back ID
the scene Rpainters, who were perched upon
swinging platforms, and hard at work with
brush, paint-pot and stencil working In the
maroons and browns that were to lend
sombre grandeur to the rapidly developing
scene.
Down again onto the stage and around 1t
| enough could be found to interest and att ract,
| and the reporter could scarcely refrain from
l falling Into q reverie that threatened to carry
him much further than the readers patience
| The thought OF the scenes to be enacted, the
fame and fortune lost and won, the pleasure
misery, valor, passion, real and simulated
that was destined TO figure on that stage, at
forded an interesting theme.
The actors and singers who Will walk those
| boards Will be the foremost In the world. The
| grand operas, the great spectacles, the thrill
| Ing tragedies, VIII succeed each other, and the
vast facilities OF the stage will be tested by the
| magnitude OF Its attractions.
Behind the scenes Is a realm OF mystery, be-
| hind the footlights Is a world In itself, and
| now, when this great palace OF amusement is
/ In embryo and rapidly developing Into the
most complete OF opera.houses, the prospec.
| tive is as interesting as the retrospect that
| might be suggested by tour behind tho
| scenes of the Oldest playhouse OF a metropolis.
But little remains to be done, the decora-
| lions OF proscenium arch and boxes, the car
| peting OF the auditorium, the placing OF the
eeate, the removal of the remaining timbers,
| the lowering OF the scenery into position, the
assembling OF the orchestra and audience, and
| lol the curtain might rise and the opera be-
| gin with everything In favor OF Its successful
| presentation that the genius OF architect,
| builder, decorator, scene painter or other
| artisan could devise.
AS far as such result 10 attainable, the new
l opera-house enjoys perfect immunity from
fre and danger from panic. The iron sheath
| Ing OF walls and proscenium arch render the
| structure freproof, while In every minor de-
| tall similar precautions are observed. The
| exits, besides, are numerous and accessible
the stairways broad and easy and safe OF de
| scent.
Washington may we'll be congratulated upor
the acquisition Of the new operahouse, anC
| may we'll claim for It TO be apace with thu
| times and abreast of her sister cities.
| In addition TO Mr.. Harry O. Flske, of thu
Standard Theatre, who Will be the treasurer
| of Albaughs Opera House, the personnel o
| the new theatre Will be 40 follows Musica
| director, II. O. Bernays; machinist, l. Loretz
properties, Morgan Sherwood; sconic attlst
| Milton Slemmer; gas engineer, Walter VIII
| Jams; doorkee pers-orchestra floor, j. +
| Buckingham; dress circle, A. NJ. Howard
family circle, l.. p. Seibold; chief usher, Chas
| Randall; ushers, Lewis Poake, n. Moore
| James Douglas and N, W. Walsh.