The herald., 1895-10-27

and which was destroyed by fire nearly
forty years ago. In 1860 the government
decided to build new home for music,
mu3h grander than anything ever before
contemplated. So we'll was this design
carried out that even in the present age
of wonderful architecture nothing ap-
preaching 1t can be seen in any part of
the world. Nearly two hundred designs
by competing architects were subml tied
to the imperial com ission in charge of
the work, and many months were spent
IN the laborious examination of them.
Eventually the great honor of building
the structure was awarded to Architect
Charles GARNER.
Owing to the discovery of several I'M
foreground springs OF water on the site it
was necessary to eXcavate sixty feet of
the soil before solid foundation could
lay, as the mechanical appliances for
such asherculean task were not what they
are today by any means.
In July of 1862 the cornerstone was
finally laid by Count Walewski. but it was
not until 1865 that the side walls were
roof was completed, but then came the
Franco-German war, which caused a
complete interruption of he work for
some time
The haif-finished building did service
as hospital during the first past OF the
struggle, and later az store house, dur
ing the siege OF Paris. 1t was also used
as signal station for communicating
with the outside forts. Upon the close of
the war the work was pushed with great
vigor, and 1874 saw the first production.
1t has other features OF interes. aside
from the many artistic beauties, one of
them being the green room, which has
been part of Partisan opera for more
than century. The regular sn disorders
have access to the green room, which is a
magnificent hail adorned with paintings
of all the famous ballet dancers of past
ages. 1t is in this room that rehearsals
are held. and the walls are fitted with
many velvet-covered iron bars, which
the dancers hold on to while practicing.
The upper floors of the building form a
veritaDle museum OF operate lore. with
its archives filled with precious man u
scripts collected during the past two CEN
turtles.
Germany is peculiarly rich in magnti-
cent opera houses, those in Frankfort,
Berlin and Dresden being particularly
fine. Frederick the Great founded the
Berlin opera house IN 174l. Fire parti-
ally destroyed 1T in 1888 but it was i'm e.
diately restored to its pristine greatness.
The more magnificent opera houses Of
Frankfort and Dresden are of com parative
ly recent date, the first being opened in
1875 and the other few years later.
Nienna's opera house Is famous for its
wonderful frescoes and the statuary which
adorns tns exterior. 1t has seating ca
pacity of more than 5000, the auditorium
being finished in white aud gold. IT was
begun in 1861 and finished in 1868.
The most historic of them all is the
Teatro della Scala, at Milan. which was
built in 177S. In the old days it fronted
on side street. but now the main ia
cade faces large square adorned with
the famou statue of Leonardo da Vinci.
The interior is arranged with five tiers
of boxes, and a rear gallery and a royal
box immed lately ABOVE the entrance
halls. The auditorium is shaped like a
horseshoe, and from it has como the ap-
plause which first welcomed many of the
greatest of the worlds singers. The opera
house was built upon ths site of the
church raised by Bcntrice Scala, wife of
BERNARDO Viscenti, hence the name of
Teatro della Scala.