New-York tribune., 1885-09-13
BUSY AT THE OPERA HOUSE
PREPARING FOR THE COMING SEASON.
THE OUTLOOK FAyoRABLE-MAKISG NEW scESEs
AND PROPERTIES.

AMI fhOfEhilEo
The Metropolitan Opera House is hive OF
activity at present Manager Stanton, Scenic Artss
Henry Hoyt Master of Properties A. J. Bradwen and
the whole cohort Of employees In the huge building are
bending all their energies to the preparations for the
opening Of the house November 23 Mr. Stanton feels
greatly gratined the subscription list Ho says:
The subscriptions already three times large a.
they were the whole OF last season and one haf
what they for Mr. Abbcys entire season. despite
the high prices prevailing under his management Az t
Is than two months before the season begins this
seems happy augiry. Everything points to brilliant
success In opera In German at this house this coming
season" Mr. Stanton has just added to his operate
forces by teegaphiDg to re-engage josef srandg
the company.
Mr. Hoyt is p to his ears gold" az he exT resses ~
and the reason for this the solid gold effect which he ia
seeking produce for solomons Temple In the Queen
OF Shsba which has been announced tn, initial opera
tho season. Mr. and Mr.. Hort determined
to produce the most beautiful scenic effects for Gold
marks opera which theis experience taste and the artistic
eye effect One visiting tho Opera House just now
has an opportunity to precisely how the work is
being and to Idea Of Mr. Hoyts device for
producing eolomons Temple which will be striking
work.
The hugo drors forty high and fifty feet broad
suspended from half way the eighty -feethigh
stage and workmen the bridge" are busiy engaged
in putting Mr. Hoyts plans into execution. Mr Hoyt
nrst draws his designs charcoal the Pre-
imnary to this takes the designs sent from Ger
many, and with these Foundation he consults tho
Bible, Joscrhus Ferguson and all the authorities
soomons great work; then with these as guides hs
elaborates soomons Temple blending all his author
tiles with his own artistic insight to effect which
will adequately represent his conceptions Of the setting
desired Mr. Hoyts method Of producing the sold gold
effect which lie seeks In representation Of the Temple
fnds It's novelty in the solid gold lacquer which he first
places ON the After putting on his charcoal
sketch, moist brown paper Is applied, which thus
receives the impression OF the sketch; this outiLe h
pertorated and this Is pounced upon the gold lacquer
which meanwhile has been laid on the canvas. Ths
pounoin9 consists In outlining the sketcb on the gold
surface Of charcoal forced through the peror-
atons, These outlines are worked out ana tia
orDamentaton-in the present instance consisting OF
cherubs. roset,es and palms1is built up 10 mglais
now in Ireparation and Mr. Hoyt expects that vixen
finished and placed In tne hghs tle enect "l & DC ths
god at least far as It's surface concerned
Ms oy sna % M sn a e o.
the kind In she history Of scenic art -,
Mons in hand Visit to tue set Of rooms devoted
properties is evience of this The MetropOltan opera
outside; ali this work "a done inside tho BUILDING under
Mr. Bradwelps direction. Mr.. Bradwelrs family has
been connected with theatrical work since the time gf
hs crandYaer who received benefit at Drury Lane Ia
1907 lie bnseli had charge OF the properties az Druy
W MapIe-on lie is thoroughly yersed in the lore OF
properties and his library embracing many works COW
Heradry and all the branches his Many aud
women are engaged in producing properties for hs
conf ng season. glance into the dozen rooms delOed
to this rk indicates that properties are to tglre
in the operas German this season. In one room men
are reproducing designs OF armOr helmets aDd Egyptan
Roman ana Assyrian trophies one man Is making
plaster cast Of an Egyptian hsimsS wGsee paf cay
models In the oyen another Is giving burnsh 70 tAs
final effort -, IL. .,o,,, u.o,,.
and thread, reproducing Mr. Bradwells designs Yer
Egyptian and Assyran headdresses TO % acorn de lne
" y In ffa or
woman especially is noticeable; she has TIE S'ran IN
n hand hand ee sn cra so S0W and u he
frame OF and cloth feathers are being attached
You might TpPSsd pIPSed as ss hs ise oSns ap sos:
OF tue moultcd nlaierial would be as good az % tne
the dAerence would be TN Ter the light. Nor
would yon suspect how necessary II Is 70 look to nls
as like these in producing stage picture fe' such
Mr. Bradwe called his visitors attention 20 she heavy
silk used in Egyptian banners SAYING; People arc
apt TO think that such stage properties are made o. mere
calico you can for yourself that y not So Tue
material was rich and expensive. what Is known rs
Theatre cloth In the headdresses, and tne eon
bnaion OF coors 70 produce Harmonious ~ S enec . DHs
properties All OF these headdresses are studied up
Mr. sradws from S asS aer benS determined on
| as correct in design are manufactured oy the puT
| fingers OF many women
Mfr Bradwell is prOad Of his armoFy. room perhaps
twelve feet square. filed with brisi,n aInor Ias
breastrates OF Steel Of the twelfth century are
notceable They are greasy the touch ana must DO
kept in grease and dirt while not In use SO hat thsy @
nDt tnrnsh When the armor Is 10 pe USED IL Is cenoo
an FURNISHED and plays its role upon the stage there
are helmets oil and climes, pied up IN ierco
array real tempered Egyptian swords real steei
offensive and defensive weapons OF all natl0ns Ihee
no wooden counterfeit but the real
weapons as dangerous TO upon as Brutus's sword
Snurs aud chvarc accOutrements are here all resdy
ts be trotted out the proper occasion TW0 men axe
busy cleaning. refurbishing ana putlhS lhlo risW
| condition the contents OF the arnory. -
flight abcve the property rooms carpenters are naV
occuped IN producing the framework Tor the trp0 tue
tronlies and other wooden accessories to AIDA Ihese
in time will receive their external glory ana VIII pass i'
| the real articles emblaZoned in gold. -,
| The ewelrY ornaments are slowed away IN mugs
drawers covered with paper and carefully guarded r0n
moth and rust There rbies. amelhysts. dainOnas
huge and brilliant all intende1 10 deceive the behoder
who Its IN the auditorium and easily im0gnes he sees
Jewels of the first These are set III metals he-
| s,lyes the scmblance OF silver and gold ~.
Room after room may thus be examined Win az its
stage palaphernalia One inspecting tho great array or
the first time fairly loses his breath ir the operation e
Is half inclined to think that he is passing lhrough past
civilizations aud IA peepirg into the Jewel cases ta'
treasure drawers of Egyptian and Assyran noDes h-
spectng their and learning much OF their hSes
| aud habits. , ..s.
As The result Of all these properties being newly MADE
pf the wohdros scenery In solid gold and the deosOns
| attending them. Mr. Stanton seems inuy Jdsthea ~
expressing satisfaction a5 the ptosi eet ..
remarkably good scenic effects In tho operas 10 De given
| this season at the Metropolitan Opera House