New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-27

A FINE Ne W OPERA HOUSE.
THE AMPHIoN ACADEMY IN BROOKLYN.

| WILLIAMSBURG Now HAS LYRIC STAGE OF ITS
OWN THE NEW BUILDING.
Tho most important addition to the playhouses OF
| Brooklyn since tho Academy OF Music opened q
quar,er of century ago was made Oh January
% The new Amphion Academy in Bedford
ave. Is expected NIL the place in the Eastern
District Of the cIty that the older building In Montague
ST. does IN the Western District 1t is but few years
since the only theatres in Brooklyn clustered about
City Hall. ani even those were poorly patrOnzcd.
for the theairegoin people OF tho City o Churches
crossed the ferries to p1onzc tue performances in this
city. But moro liberal policy in the mounting Of plays
rived after timo to croate class or patrons who
made the best plays by the best companies worth pre-
seating In Brooklyn. and tue two three theatres
multiplied several times The Eastern Dis
trct in six has had four theatres estab-
ished. and now has the finest house OF ALL adapted for
musical as well as theatrical performances.
SUCH BLILDING Long NEEDED.
For several years the demand for such building has
been heard. but 1t not until the Amphon Society
was formed aud had to go to tho Montagucst Academy
to give its concerts that the demand needed BY the
men Of wealth who alone could meet It, 1t demon
STATED by the experience OF the older Academy of Music
that such coud be made profitable for the
stockholders. Early last year the agitation of the
matter led to the formation OF company and the sccc
ton OF Board OF Trustees to take charge OF the matter
for the stockholders who subscribed the 5000 900
needed to nsarc the OF the scheme At the head
OF the enterprise John g. Jenkins president OF the
First National Bank. On the building committee were
Moses May c. Mortimer wske, Charles Cooper. Willard
f. Smith and Henry seibert A site was selected near
the business aud fine residence Of the
Eastern District in Bcafordaye. formerly Fourth ST.
near DiIisoh-aye
PLAN OF THE NEW OPERA HOUSE.
The building is designed after the best opera house
plans. 1t will seat many persons the Brooklyn
Academy OF Music, about 1000. aud the stage is the
third largest In this country being only exceeded by
those in the Metropolitan Opera House toe Academy
OF Music in this city. 1t designed br +. B. Mo
Epatrck Sons of this city, their plans being accepted
after competition. The firm has designed and buiit
mora than score OF tho leading thoatres and opera
hsuses OF the country. The Amphon has a farade rs
feet Wide and ITO feel high The entrance s ample and
the 'front.' Is broken by large number OF windows On
either side OF the entrance will stores not vet com
pleed After passing through the entrance hall t,e
LOBBY reached from which there Are several entrances
to the auditorium The auditorium has planned so
that all tho seats as nearly as ossibls will command
equally good views OF The stlge. The gal cries sre
broad and deep and the boxes arc arranged
a new Plan.
The frescoing and -drapng show some novel 1osirus
The ceiling represent the sky at night studded with
stars which arc simulated by electric Light, Tho
building Is lighted entirely by electricity. TIM,
Diminishing the dangers from fire. About no gata
at a cost OF $4,000, are used the Edison syscem
being adopted thick wall separates the stage from
tho auditorium save in the proscenium arch This
measures 80 by 80 feet, and the stage tsslt IA 10
feet wide and 81 feet deep. Freproof seens,v 4.
used. and that which is In use Is STORED In n
separate building at the The stage entrance +, IN
Divisonave.. and it is proposed to plac, a b.to, 49,,
restaurant adjoining. The stage dressing rooms a..
outside OF tue main wall and on from the STAGE nv
trnn doors for safety in OF lire '"o stage Dy
The Amphsn Society, to which the crsdIt M tha $780,
PLAYHOUSE is chiefly due. was formed IN IssS h now
MORT ner Wske, its capable and efficient le,dar ~
about 500 members, fine orchestra and strong MALI
cbotus 1t has done much for the musical cnIfS,rn 90
Rrnoklyn and its concerts, which several wear
hssn given In the Montague ST. Academy Of No. ,o
aiyays marked occasions in the social world ~ ~ e
been to be great Disadvantage have to 20 to the
Western District for suitable auditorium and 90
,ha auditors will rejoice I'm being able hereafter 70
nsr,ormances nearer home. while from the blll nj nm
tnwn portion of the city whsre the centre or
is now will be quite as easy to reach the new Hcad
smy rs the old one. The streetoar lines near n a~a
those in Broadway Franklin and Nostrand ave-. anS
the Green point route OF the BROOKLYN CITY RaiIroaa
m. Elevated railroad now being built in Broadvar and
the projected one In wytheave VIII bring the Amphioa
Academy IN close connection with remote parts OF tae
ri