The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-05-02

one thousand persons are provided in the
auditorium, while in the wings there are
standing accommodations for as many
more.
The other structure dedicated 10 music
is Festival Hall, standing upon the shore
Of the lagoon In a triangle formed by the
meeting OF three great promenades' sim
pie and severe in outline. following the
Doric style or architecture, and bearing
a close resemblance TO an amphitheatre
surmounted by a dome. It's auditorium
seats nearly seven thousand listeners,
while the stage is equal 10 the accommo-
dation Of a chorus Of twenty-five hum
dred voices. In the rear Of the stage is
the great organ, a masterpiece Of Nine
teenth century workmanship, with its
1000 pipes, its ll6 stops, and its numerous
mechanical accessories never before en-
ployed, and which pealed forth this
morning for the first time. and with
thrilling effect, the patriotic strains OF
America" as President Cleveland pressed
upon the electric button and gave the
signal which declared the Worlds Co
lumbar Exposition an accomplished
fact. On the exterior OF Festival Hall
are bas-relefs representing the progress
of music, while the entrances are sur
mounted with relief portraits OF Bee
thoven. Mozart, Handel, MendelssOhn,
Bach, Wagner and other eminent com
posers. During the month OF June Fes-
tival Hall will be the scene OF series
OF oratorial festivals on a scale never
before attempted. and 10 be participated
In by musical clubs and societies from
nearly every State in the Union.
The Art Building.
Here. in the Art building of the Column
bian Exposition. France is accorded some
300 900 square feet Of wall space, or with
In 5000 feet OF the total reserved for the
United States. Italy, Spain, Great Bri-
tain, Russia and other foreign countries
have been literally accorded space ac-
cording 10 their several needs, and II is
significant Of the universal interest mani
tested in this department Of the enter
prise. that even little Mexico has pre-
empted some 800 square feet, ard utilized
every foot OF IL upon which 10 hang its
paintings. II would require columns 70
even barely outline the gems Of the paint
ers art and the masterpieces Of the sculp-
tors Grafton. that find a temporary abid-
ing placa under the dome Of this mag
nifcent structure.
In the American section the most emil
nent Of American artist and sculptors are
we'll and creditably represented. Among
them are f. j.. Millette. John 5. Sargent,
W NJ. Chase, Kenyon Cox, +. A. Abbey,
JOnn CdrrOll BeChWllus DOuBldS Nolks -
:. Reinhart John La Fargo Glide Assom.
Howard Kretchmar. dorado Taft and
Johannes Gellert lThe English exhibits
Includes over one Thousand productions
in painting. sculpture, etching and draw
ing black and white and water colors. one
and all OF which have passed the rigid
examination OF critical jury. Nearly all
the academicians and the regular contri-
butors 10 the English galleries are repre-
scented. and some Of the choicest exhibits
bear the signatures OF men whose names
are known throughout the world Of art
as for instance, Sir Frederick Leighton.
Sir John Gilbert, Sir John Millars Poyn-
ter. Watts and Erckhfimer. Leighton,
who is as fine a sculptor as he is a
painter. also leads In Che collection Of
sculptures. with such noted manipulators
OF the chisel as Thornaycroft, Mclean
and Dressler for companN
The German section ranks. even II II
does not outrank the British. II occupies
nearly the entire northwest section Of the
building and comprises the choicest and
most valued treasures OF de galleries OF
the Prince Regen. Of Bavaria. the Ger