The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-10-27

operas. Probably no playhouse IN the
history Of the stage has been more poeu-
callv situated. Its surroundings invite
contemplation and repose. At mile
distance from the sleepy little town, 1t
rests on level spot near the crest OF a
long wooded slope. A narrow avenue
denselv shaded, with broad walk on
one side. leads to it, The building itself,
an irregular mass of red brick and stone,
blazes out in relief against the back
Ground of forest. Cultivated trees, arch
cd and trimmed, darken the ascent from
the town; but behind, old woods, with
unkcpt gladcs and tangled roads, mingle
the rustic of their leaves with the strains
of the great German master.
RICH TOILETS.
The avenue curves TO the right IN
front of the ediiice and encircles 1t, as
the public entrances are at the sides.
BY this way all the carriages arrive, de-
posting their occupants at the right en-
trance. The two arms OF the bifurcat-
ing avenue separate from the theatre
the two restaurants, the only eating
places on the grounds. All the walks
and drives about the theatre are free TO
the public. On a festival day an I'M
mense crowd of gapers assemblies about
the right entrance to watch the carriages
unload. \ large proportion of these
persons are women and girls, attracted
by the prospect of seeing the fine turn
outs of the visitors. Nor are they mis-
taken. for there is rarely seen a finer
collection Of toilets than those which
gather there. 1t is like n dream Of
beauty to stand at the entrance on an
August afternoon. In an hours loiter-
inc there | saw moro beautiful women
than had ever seen before, even IN the
CAPITALS Of the world. Countesscs and
duchesses of all realms, men and women,
Young and old, rich in birth, wealth and
position. alighted in succession. One
Young English lady, who was accom-
panied bv Frcnchman Of distinguished
appearance. and who might have been
daughter OF the gods, she was SO tall
and fair, had some difficulty in getting
within. SO closely did the eager crowd
surround her.
About moment before the beginning
of the opera a little brass band blows a
note Of warning from the front porch.
Then the doors are closed, and nobody
can get in thereafter until the end Of the
act. So scrupulously is this rule OBJ
served that it is said that member of a
roval family, few seconds too late, was
bnco compelled TO wait till the next act.
On entering one sees the audience stand
ing up, in order TO give holders Of inside
seats "A chance to take them. There are
mo center aisles, all entrance to seats
being at the sides of the hall.
TIE PERFORMANCE.
Suddenly down 20 the lights. That is
the signal, and there is a great rustlins
Of clothes and banging of seats. Then
the lights die down still further, till you
can see nothing Of the man in front OF
YOU. There is silence for about half
minute. No orchestra is in sight, and
you are wondering whenceis 10 come the
music. as the seats seem 10 run right into
the footlights. But suddenly long wall
from flute is heard from somewhere
down below the stage, and in moment
the full orchestra Is in play.
The interior is simply a succession OF
raised seats. and not of the softest kind
either. without side boxes or any clabo-
rate decoration or trimming. About 200
persons can be comfortably seated, but
the auditorium looks to bee much larger.
4 performance lasts about five hours;
three hours Of opera and two hours OF
cntr'acte. Beginning at $3.50, there Is
Am intermissi0n from 4:3O 10 $50, and air
other from $50 to 1880. The first entracte
is usually givenup to promenadlng. Dur
ing the second there are scenes like those
at an American railway restaurant. The
cafes are scarcely large enough to receive
1900 hungry mortals at one time, and
many, toayoid the crush, buy sandwiches
and 20 marchng around the groves, sand
witches in one hand, opera book in the
other. On benches conveniently placed
may be seen swain and sweetheart, oblivi-
Gus to everything but the toothsomeness
of cheese and bread.
Every young man tries 10 sc. through
the eating part in half ali hour so as to
have the other thirty minutes for a prone
made. This walk generally consists Of a
plunge into the cool forest, and it is very
romantic in the hum laden air Of the
igioamiug. Toget to the woods it is neces
sary TO pass through several little groves
and by the side OF bayfield,. The groves
are usually the stopping places Of mater
Ifamilias and her brood, and are, there
fore, Stunned by the sentimental. Hay
ling and the festival 20 on about thesamc
time. and to some very susceptible coup
les the clover is SO irresistible that here
Ind there, on the little piles of scented
grass. youth and maiden sit with hands
aasped, looking out toward the west and
- slowly fading sunset.-W. +. IL. in
New York Star.