The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-11-05
koTzschMAR NALL
inspected by Number Of Our citi-
zens Last Evening.
An Ornament to Portland and Beau
tifuI Home of Music.

Last evening, by invitation of Mr. Ira G.
otockbridge, the manager Of the new Kotz-
SEMINAR Hall. a large number Of our we'll
known citizens visited the new building and
were enthusiastic In their expressions of de-
light. 1t is certain that there is no prettier,
or moro tasteful place of public amusement
In New York and Boston. and, as far as
test of its fitness for the purposes to which
1t Is to be devoted has been made. that test
has proved very satisfactory. To the public
spirit of Mr.. H. N. Jose, who is the owner
of the building, and the architect. Mr.. F. Fl.
Fassett, Portland people are indebted for this
exquisite hall, for such an adjective fits its
description like glove. Mr.. Fassett visited
many leading theatres. observed all the
latestinprovements, and then evolved this
gem from his observation and experience.
Larger and more important works have CIV
en- Mr. Fassett a wide reputation as an ar
chitect. but none that will call for more
praise than this. Mr.. Jose has given Mr..
Fassett full powers. Whatever that GENTLE
man thought was needed Mr.. Jose granted
without question.
Kotzschmar Hall has been partially de-
scribed in the city papers from time to time.
but full particulars have not been ready I'M
til now. As is we'll known, the building is
located in the rear of Congress street, with
rear entrance on Deering place. 1t Is built
of brick, 46xS5 feet In size. aud 81 feet in
height in the clear. No attempt has been made
at external ornamentation, but strong,
substantial edifce has been secured, and the
most of the money expended on the interior.
The front entrance is reached by way Of
Congress street-one door above the Public
Library-by means of a paved passage nine
feet in width. broadening to IS feet at the
entrance This passage-way is arched by
ornamental wrought iron work, with Kotz-
SEMINAR Hall in gilt letters. The arch is sur
mounted by Tyre in wrought iron work,
and light ed by an electric light Five steps
lead into the lobby of the house from the
passage-way. Handsome double swing
doors open into the lobby. which is 17x29
feet in size. At the right is large coat
room. 6x10 feet, with the ticket office, 6x5
feet, just beyond, and next to the ticket Of
fee the broad flight of stairs which leads to
the balcony. Mr.. Tompson's bust of Kotz-
SEMINAR stands in the corner. Leather swing
0OOAo oiO thCh PuooOu iubO bu0 huutbUIlulls
which is o marvel of lightness, beauty and
grace. 1t is 44x5S feet in size, and 81 feet
high The stage is 44x29 feet. and the pros
cenium is % feet wide and 81 feet high. The
prevailing decorations are in pearl and gilt
The beautiful symbolical decorations of the
proscenium arch, front of the balcony, and
the frieze in the cornice around the auditori-
UNI. are In stereo-relief, furnished by the
Stereo-Relief Company of Boston. The
tlntiDg of all this part Of the auditorium
was done by German artist. resident in
Boston, and he has done the daintiest work
imaginable. The orchestra is very spacious,
and sunk foot below the main floor so that
the musicians will not interfere with the
view of the stage. The balcony is sur
mounted by a railing, covered with
push. On either side of the stage
are two passage-ways from the
auditorium. The curtain. by William
Gill, the we'll known scenic artist of the Ire
mont theatre. Boston, represents draped cur
tains in green and drab, fringed in gold, and
1t harmonizes excellenly with its surround
ings. Mr.. Gill has also painted very pref
ty parlor scene for the set scene.
The seats are luxurious and most comfort
able. There are 800 on the floor of the house
and 184 In the balcony, a total of 504 seats.
Each of these seats is upholstered in em-
bossed plush aud is as large as any seat in
any first class opera house in the country,
varying from 20 to % inches in width, while
the space allowed from front to back is feet
Sinches. The backs tilt like the back of
reclining chair. The frames are of iron,
decorated in Pompeian red, picked out in
bronze. Each is upholstered in the best of
curled hair. The seats were furnished by
the Andrews Manufacturing Company of
New York. Under each seat is place for a
hat, and on the back of each seat place for
the shawl or coat of the person sitting just
behind.
The pitch of the auditorium is four feet
and of the balcony three feet
All the aisles are carpeted to correspond
with the seat upholstery.
The lighting of the entire building is by
means of electricity, furnished by the Con-
s0lidated Electric Light Company. There is
large sun-burner in the centre of the CELL
ing and brackets of two light. each about
the sides Of the hall. During the day the
hall is lighted By five large
alOhCo NlhNOWos vi OuCu olucs
the windows being of colored mufned glass.
Off of the balcony, fronting on Congress
street is the beautiful ladies' parlor, the
floor finished in hard woods, the windows
prettily:curtained, and the furniture extreme
ly appropriate. The opportunity for wood
fire is afforded, and large photograph of
Kotzschmar adorns the wall
The balcony seats will be among the most
desirable, for so fine view of the house is
obtained from them.
Beneath the stage is a room about "a feet
wide by SO in length, and 16 feet high, to be
used for ladies dressing room and for
rehearsal room. At present 1t will be divi-
ded by handsome screens so as to give the
gentlemen dressing room also. There are
toilet rooms for ladies and gentlemen and
an entrance to them from Deering Place as
well as from the stage. The Pleume system
of heating and ventilation has been adopted.
The air is drawn through the building by
fan seven feet in diameter driven by one of
Busch's electric motors. The steam boiler,
steam pipes and yentilating pipes aud APP
paratus were furnished by the Walworth
Manufacturing Company of Boston. The
plumbing of the building was by James
Miller, the foundations were laid by Thos
Shannahan; the brick work was done by Ma
than Redlon, carpenter work by S. FL. Jose,
plastering by P. Feeney, and the painting
by VIM. Gray.
Mr.. Geo. W. Gray, chief engineer of the
Maine General Hospital. will be engineer and
janitor of the ball.