New-York tribune., 1896-11-17
THE REASSEMBLING OF OPERA-GOERS.
BRILLIANT SCENE ~ THE HOrsE-A LARGE AND
FINE LOOKING N'DIENCEsoME


FINE LOOKING ArDIENcE-soME
or THOSE THERE.
The Me;ropoltan Opera House made It's annual con-
trbutlon to the cayety Of tn, Nation last night. and
the brilliant and stirring scenes which have accom-
panied so man. performances OF Faust in ths
house were re-eractei. Since the close OF the last
opera season the house and those controlling 1t have
gone through moe history than usually hrfals them
White A long ard elaborate series OF performances s
in progress Much Of Il, has been unpleasant his
tory The nrni OF managers that has so long and 50
successfuy-frcm an artistic point o! vicw-ccn-
tro.lcd the Institution has failed and been reorgan.
ized and reestablished a sIrer basis The senior
member Of tho firm has died. Another member OF the
firm has been ntrs;ei with the OF another great
opera establishment. that the greatest musical in
sutions in the creates, two cities OF the English
speaking world will henceforh be united to their
direction and destin!cs. There has been cause for
and for rejoicing in what has passed since the
doors OF the Opera House open last
Last night it looked II there had been inter-
val AT all The great audience looked IL it
the that last sat IN the and ap-
paudcd the same artists. The same stroers
about the lobbes when the curtain down. The
boxes looked the 1t the old Metro
politan. with the same old faces the stage and In
the house I'm front OF II.
That Is one OF the most delightful things about the
beginning OF 4 new opera season. There must be
little changes from year TO year. but the whole
the house and the company ana the audience
permanent body. just mt the United States
Senate. and the reopening is the rcassembling OF
friends and acquantances under the pleasantest
and most insprlting OF circumstances.
GOOD FOR THE FAIR ONES.
In one sense the scene last night was prettier
than before. from the point OF view OF man.
at any rate The women In the orchestra stalls
had their hats or almost without exception. There
were a few exceptions. but they were so few that
the who wore has must have felt con-
spicuous They were conspicuous. whether they
felt not Therefore the house looked better
and everybody could see the stage better. There
may be persons who think that a piece OF MIL
linery be 40 artistic as 10 surpass In beauty
beautiful head Of har. but there are not many men
who think when the millinery Is interposed be-
tween their eyes and the stage Some saddened
philosopher has said that II is one OF the saddest
things in life that most people are better looking
from behind than from in front Ii Is true indeed
that there are women who have not been greatly
blessed with beauty. but here are few who cannot
dress their hair that 1t will look pretter than
any possible hat and there few hats indeed
that are better worth seeing than an opera or
play So the gratitude TO the managers who had
requested the removal OF hats and TO the women
who had complied with the request was deep and
sincere. In the dress circle about half the women
their hats.
The audience was large as well as fine-ookinx
one There are many persons who regard IL az
most important TO attend the nrst opera OF tno
season at any cost. And it Is. indeed. pleasant and
CONNIE ndahle 10 give the support OF ones presence
TO the beginning OF so glorious an undertaking as
the opening of fine season Of opera 80 there
were only one two boxes vacant last night, ana
scarcely any seats. The big stretch OF standins
room Was crowded. too so that those who got the
less desirable places must have given their mora!
support al some sacrifice. for they could have seen
little and they must have been uncomfortable IL
IL a good indication OF the musical culture OF ths
city that many persons are always founu reaoy
TO endure discomforts 10 hear the best music tha'
IL provided But the opening night attracted some
who did not even hope to hear the music al all
They presumably had more curiosity and taste ZOE
fine dresses than means to them, FOR tney
came early and took up their places on the sidewaA
and stood there patiently In line JUST 10 SEQ '"s
people who went 10 the opera get out OF 'hei es'-
rages and walk into the house
The Indications are the managers say tna' III.
opera season which just begun will be the most
successful In the history OF the house The occur
rences OF las: night cast no suspicion on th's aS
serton. The brlIancy OF some OF the previous
openings at the Metropolitan would be hard 70
s,,rpass and Il Is reproach to the present oc'
casion to say that II did not surpass them. Bus
Il took It's place as OF them. II was an occa'
sion worthy ~ the great house. OF the company
which owns II. the company which directs H. the
splendid assembly OF singers which occupies u
and the appreciative audience which is won't -
gather In II.
IN THE BOXES.
Mr. and Mrs. +. Reeve Merritt had with them IL
box No. | Mrs. Ledyard. who was In gown ot
mauye satin and point lace and Mrs. Merritt wore
"A gown Of pale blue MORE. combined with white
satin the corsage trimmed with point lace ana
decked with diamonds and a large crescent OF
diamonds In her coifure.
Box No. 2 occupied by Mr.. and Mn
A. D. Juilliard. Miss Stokes. Mr. and Mrs.
Jules Montant and +. A. Juiard Mrs.
Jullllard wore a gown Of black moirt. nghteo
up with bows OF geranium- -colored satin r'epon:
Her Jewels wsre . necklace Of diamonds ~