Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-12

Aule titf mofe Dlililans CoNCtft Eatu-
ering than that of last evening. upon
the occasion Of the opening and dedica-
sion Of the New Mozart Academy Of
Music, on Eighth street between Grace
and Franklin. Long before the hour
for the musicale the members began TO
assemble. and by half-past 8 o'clock
every seat in The spacious and beautiful
new building wasoccupied, and this not
withsiandirg the fact that only members
OF the Association and limited num-
ber of the family Of each could gain ad-
mission.
THE OPENING.
OF course, everybody had much to
say about the new hall. Each was q
self-constituted critic, and every detail
Of the auditorium and stage was dis
cnssed and condemned, or approved, as
the case may be. The scene presented
was truly brilliant one, and the gen.
eral expressions Of approval ana admi'
ration, and the beaming countenances
Of the members. showed that their YER
dict was that the Academy and nusi-
cale were preeminenuy successes. The
Board Of Governors, and especially the
Building Committee, with Colonel Sam
uel Paul, are certainly deserving Of
praise and congrntulatioD for the faith
fol and able manner in which they have
carried out their work.
THE BUILDING.
Well, for the new Academy Of Music
j; must be conceded on all hands that
it is an imposing structure, and well
arranged and equipped for the uses to
which it is to be devoted. A more
elaborate auditorium might have been
constructed, and it is true that mis-
takes were made in the plans land what
building is free from them, yet it is
but Just to say that for the money ex-
pended-about s42, ,000-the Mozart
Academy will compare fayorably with
like structures that have cost twice,
and even three times, that amount. The
front is very pretty piece OF architec-
ture, as will be seen from the faithful
drawing we publish herewith; and
would adorn any portion of the city.
The dimensions Of the buildings are /:
Width Of front, 7S feet; width of side
alleys, Q feet width Of stage, 80 feet (;
depth Of stage, SO feet. Seating capa-
city Orchestra and parquette, 7S7 I;
dress-circle, sos upper gallery, 200
total, 1892.
With the exception Of the upper gal
lery the house is furnished with neat,
comfortable, and substantial opera
chairs, with folding seats, foot-rest, and
rack for hat. A handsome sunlight
reflector ID the centre of the ceiling
furnishes the principal light. This, as
well as the footlights. is lighted from
the stage by means Of electricity.
THOSE WHO DID THE WORK.
The house was designed by Captain
A. Lybrock, architect lwho died on the
day Of the opening Of the hall) and Was
built almost entirely by Richmond me-
chanics and workmen, and Of Richmond
material. 1t was constructed under the
direct supervision Of the architect and
the Building Committee, Mr.. A. Bargs-
min, Colonel Samuel b. Paul, Mr.. @. L.
Sieeel, Mr.. Horace P. Edmond, and DR..
James Il. McCaw. These gentlemen
labored untiringiy from the beginning
to the compilation Of the work. and they
each deserve especial praise for the sue
cess that has been achieved. The con-
tractors were Msssrs. Newell d Son.
wood; W. Ellis Redford, brick; Asa
Snyder 4 Co., iron; A. j. Vaughan,
painter; Gilman & Son, plasterers ;
Shanks 4 Barrett, plumbers; Henson
& Ksndlsr, galvanized iron, and Noxon,
Albert 4 Toomey, OF ST. Louis, scenic
artists. All the contractors did their
work faithfully and well. The COM
mittee feel themselves especially indebt-
ed to Mr.. W. y. Newell for valuable
suggestions in making alterations and
corrections, and his unAagging energy
in prosecuting his work to its success
ful and early completion.
THE SCENERY.
As was before stated in these columns,
the entire scenery has been executed IN
the most thorough and artistic manner
by Messrs. Noxon, Albert Il Toomey.
Of St. Louis.
The simplicity which eharacterizes
the finishing Of the auditorium is unu'
sual for a modern theatre, yet with the
handsome curtains and cornices placed
at the windows, il has the air Of pri-
yste rather than public place Of smuse'
ment. Then, too, this character Of su-
ditorium possesses the great excellence
of, BY contrast, bringing out the best.sce-
mic effects; that is, the richness Of the
curtain, proscenium, and drops will not
be lessensd by contrast with an elabo-
zate front.
The following Is complete list of the
Scenery IN the new Academy of Music :
Elaborate Drop Curtain, Fancy Paglor,
Modern Chamber, Bastillion Prison.
Rustic Kitchen, Gothic Chamber, Per.
spectiye Palace, Palace Arches, An.
cisnt Street, Modern Street, Landscape,
Garden, Dark Wood, Cut Wood, Cut
Garden, Horizon, Rocky Pass, Sci
House, Set Cottage, Set Garden Statues,
Set GArden-yases. Set Garden-wall
Set Romeo-and-Jeliet Balcony, Sc,
Rocks, Set Waters, Foliage Borders
Drspery aud Sky, making one Of tn.
most complete stocks Of scenery IN any
modern ogsra-house. All exterior
scenes are so arranged as 70 shos
twsstyssighi feet high in the clear
being fesr feet higher those In nin'
fenths Of The best theatres; and AM
theatrical entertainment can be mount
cd Is accurately here as in any similal
building IN this country.
THE BATON.
The orgsa. 50 to speak, and ofticia
programme Of the Association, ths
Baton, was as resplendent last evening
as tine new baisdiDg itself. Ii must IN
deed have grstised the big heart of the
able editor OF this q influential jour
rAln to receive the compliments that
were showsrsd from alI sides upon his
handsome dediestion-nrmbor. II for
sunstsly 50 happened that thiz occasion