Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-07-25
THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE.
A Magnificent Place of Entertain.
ment Nearing Completion.

The massive pile of brick and mortar
on South Raymond avenue is rapidly
merging into ore of the finest opera
houses on the Coast. When the work
was commenced over year ago it was
hoped that its completion would be ac-
complished by the first of January last,
but the scarcity of the necessary. material
and the desire OF its projectors to give to
the amusement-loving public OF this city
an edifice second to none, has delayed
the work. The estimated cost at first
was 500, 900, but the improvements that
have been added will bring this figure up
to $150,000.
The officers of the syndicate who will
own il are, President, E. G. Webster
Vice President, Senator L. j. Rose
Treasurer, f. Minot Ward; Secretary
Walter R. E. Ward.
Messrs. Mackay and Gray, of Los An
geles, are the contractors and the thor
ough and efficient manner in which they
have done their work pronounces them
men who understand what they are do
ing and who do it we'll. Their forem an
w. S. Gilbert, is a mechanic of the high
est order and every piece of work is care
fnlly scrutinized by him before it is
passed.
The scenery was painted by Forest
Seabury and Ed. Duran, of San Fran
cisco. The drop curtain is reported to be
one of the finest in the United States,
and was described in the Union about
the time of its completion. 1t is Moor
ish scene-an inner court, representing
dancing girls and musicians; handsome
architecture and rare effect of light and
shade. Nothing SURPRISING it in beauty
is in existence in America.
The plastering has just been complet.
ed and the artists who will do the deco
rating commenced work yesterday.
The decorations of the opera house
will be one OF it's special features. The
fresco work in all parts of the house will
be of Moorish design, the same pattern as
in the Alcazar Theater in San Francisco
but finer. The proscenium opening and
the boxes will be finely decorated in this
manner. The whole scene will appear
to one sitting back in the audience at it's
best, and will be calculated to lend one
the impression that it is an enchanted
spot, and that Thespian fairies we're in
attendance and doing all things possible
| to invite the muses. to lend their aid to
the scenes being enacted.
The house will be provided with the
most modern and highly improved opera
chairs known and obtainable. They will
be provided with folding backs, will be
cushioned and will have hat and um-
brella racks underneath, the arrange
ment of the floor, each tier of seats ris.
ing about eighteen inches as they ap-
proach the rear, preventing the hats,
wraps, etc., from becoming soiled. Taken
in all its details, the house, the decora-
tions, its fittings, etc., it will be SO per-
feet in Its every feature that one and all
will be most agreeably surprised when
first they see it.
The dimensions of the stage, which is
furnished with complete set of appar-
atus, is 40x65, The seating arrange.
ments are perfect and every person can
have clear, unobstructed view of the
stage. The seating capacity is about
l,500, 900 OF whom can be seated down
stairs, and the remainder in the bal
cony.
The proscenium boxes, eight in num-
Der, will have toilet rooms attached.
Two entrances are provided. The
main entrance on Raymond avenue, and
the Bellevue avenue entrance, through
the toilet rooms to the boxes and par
quette. In addition to these entrances
there are eight modes Of exit in case OF
fire: and when all of these are thrown
open the house can be vacated in an in
credibly short time.
The entire work. is being pushed as
rapidly as possible, and in less than two
months Pasadena can congratulate her
self upon having one of the finest tenn
pies of amusement west of the
Rockies.-[ Pasadena Union.