The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-11-07
THE NEW OPERA HOUSE.

atic history Ct Hawaii will find
much that Is amusing, and fund
of interesting detail, with which
will be connected the names OF men
and women now prominent III bust
ness. political and social circles Of
this country, to say nothing OF the
early experiences of actors and act
resses who in later years attracted
world wide attention as leaders III
dramatic art. When Honolulu was
a little town, known only as whal-
ing center and headquarters for the
missionary work of the Pacific,
many were the amateur theatrical
performances conducted by the
young people that served to allay
the humdrum of life due TO the
isolafbbn from civilization. Later
the barnstorngTS began to drop In,
and the theater nights at the old
Variety and the old Royal >.Ha-
waiian became features of the so
cial life of the city.
With the increase of white pop
ulation and the shortening of the
distance from tha&ffcal centers by
steamship service, Are call for bet
ter accommodations which must ne
cessarily raise the standard of the
performances became among the
necessities of life, and the liberal
contributions of public men made
possible the erection of the Music
Hall, at that time house well up
to the standard of play houses in
the neighboring cities of the United
States. All through the recent his
tory of this country the people have
given evidence that although re-
moved from the higher musical and
dramatic centers, they have not al
lowed themselves to become indif-
ferent to that which is highest and
best, and it may well be said that
they have more than kept pace with
the times, as represented in the de-
velopment of local talent and Sc
curing notable artists from abroad.
When the Music Hall, which was
known latterly as the Royal Ha-
waiian Opera House, was burned,
early in 1895, the loss for the time
being seemed irreparable. Though
highly appreciated by the public,
it had not been paying venture,
and only men possessed of gen
erous public spirit approaching
philanthropy could be expected to
the structure. Fortunately
it was only a few months before
this much desired public spirit was
asserted, and to William g. Irwin,
together with j. ID. and A. b.
Spreckels, the citizens of Hawaii
are indebted for raising the Ha-
waiian Opera House from the ashes
and erecting a building of improv-
ed exterior, beautiful interior and
modern in each and every appoint
ment. The Opera House as it stands
today Is second to none in cities of
the same population as Honolulu
indeed it is superior to many play
houses In cities much more preten-
tious in their public buildings. The
benefits that will be derived from |
this new structure are manifold,
and by no means the least is the
incentive to keep to the highest
possible standard the dramatic per
formances held within its walls. A
good house is an attraction to good
companies and high class artists,
and the people of Honolulu have
been educated to an appreciation of
what is best. I'm view of the de-
Dendence which our people in early
lays placed upon the development
Of local talent, Il is prominently
fitting that the openingnightshould
be in the hands Of Honolulu anna
.eurs, directed by one whose career
n the musical worl is one to which
he Hawaiian born citizens point