Evening journal., 1893-03-01
AUDITORIUM BUILDING.
Manager Benson Says 1t Will
Open April 20.
BIG CONCERTS TO BE GIVEN THERE

a Complimentary Opening Being Ar
ranged for April 20. when the spanish
Trobadours Of Philadelphia and the
Best Local Talent WIN Appear-Flr.t-
Glass Opera Chairs Being Placed In.
To Seat 1880.
Elmer E. Benson, manager Of the
new Auditorium Building formerly the
rink) when seen by an EVENING JOURNAL
reporter, this morning said that the big
concert hall would be all furnished by
April 20 and ready to be opened to the
public. Manager Benson proposes to
oter the people Of Wilmington and
vicinity the opportunity of hearing a
series OF musical entertainments Of the
highest class at low prices. Obviously.
THIS Is only possible In house of great
seating capacity where numbers can take
the place Of high prices.
The old rink property Is being thor
oughly renovated aud reiitted and called
the Auditorium Building. IL is admira-
bly, adopted for the purpose. in Size.
location aud acoustic properties.
IL is believed that not less than 1OO. 600
persons attended the recent Moody and
Sankey meetings In this building. Dur.
ing period Of three weeks from 2 600 to
4, $40 people were In attendance twice
Gay and all able TO hear distinctly not
only the chorus and solo singing. but the
preaching of Mr. Moody whose words
were usually spoken In tone scarcely
above that OF ordinary conversation.
The fundamental idea is not simply
TO interest those who enjoy classical
music, but as we'll TO consider the claims
Of those who care most for the simpler
melodies when skillfully rendered.
The prices at which such entertain
ments are TO be given has not been
decided upon. The financial theory Is
that with ample and comfortable seat
ing capacity, low prices should attract
great numbers and in turn great num-
bers should Justify low p-ices, hence
the scale Of prices will have no reference
to the character Of the music rendered,
but only TO the supposed desire of
large number to be well entertained with
| good music
The Auditorium Building Is lighted
by electricity, heated by steam and well
ventilated Il is provided with exit
doors on four sides, thus eliminating all
feeling Of danger from fire or a panic
from any cause
Work is now progressing rapidly and
II Is hoped that the complimentary open
ing may be given about the middle of
April. when the Spanish Troubadours of
Philadelphia, will participate, and other
parts OF the program viii be by local
talent. which win probably be under tho
direction of j ~ Clymer A great many
persons have an idea that the perform
ance viii be a nightly occurrence. Such
Is not the case
In an interview with Mr. Benson. no
said.
"Onr idea Is to try to popularize music
In Wilmington In order to do 80 we
propose 70 give limited number OF first
class attractions, say every three weeks
apart, with such artists as are we'll
known TO be FIRST class In every partlcu-
lar, and at prices that are within the
reach of all For our big opening we
want to have the Boston Symphony Or.
chestra, II Il Is possible 10 secure It.
If we cannot get this attraction, we will
have something equally good.
This is a venture that represents a
big outlay Of money as no expense is
being spared 90 make the patrons com
fortables lC has seating capacity of
about 9. 800, and frst.class Opera chairs
are being placed in the building. The
decorations will be very elaborate, and
with a view to. pleasing the eye Of the
most fastidious
'Of course, as / have said before. this
Is big venture, and how It will pan out
remains TO be seen. But one thing is
certain, We propose TO give the people Of
this city first class attractions at popular
prices II they do not support us. then
Il is their fault, and not ours. There has
always been the cry that it costs toe
much money TO hear these big attractions.
We propose to try and overcome that
! difficulty, and with our immense seating
capacity It can be done.
J 1t is also probable that a series Of
J lectures will be given during the season.
The hall will also be for rent for first
class entertainments at a nominal sum.