The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1896-11-09
Opening Of the Hawaiian Opera
House.
ii Trovatore a Great Success-The
Roof Did Not Fall Down AL
though the Applause Might
Have Lifted It Of in
Weaker Building.

OF the curtain, ana they lsugheu
and cried, and applauded again un.
til the beautifully painted curtain
went down for the last time and
Berger's band played Hawaii Ponoi
1t was beyond comparison the
best amateur performance ever seen
here. The large audience present
admitted the fact by constant and
enthusiastic applause.
The theatre is a leautiful little
affair, and the roof is there yet and
apt to stay. The electric lights, the
delicate painting and decorations
are equal to anything seen in Am
erican opera houses.
The enthusiasm displayed was not
altogether caused by the superior
advantages of the new" opera
house over the "old," but it was
caused by the knowledge that among
us we have one man at least who is
found disinterested enough to spend
his money on an enterprise which, in
the past, did not pay dividends. The
man is w. g. Irwin, and the voice of
the com munity was correctly heard
when Mr.. T. r. Walker made the
following address which was heartily
applauded:
Ladies and Gentlemen:-The fiat
tering and pleasant duty has been
imposed upon me OF appearing be-
fore you, not in the guise OF an actor
striving to represent the opinions
and emotions OF imagined charac-
ters, but as one whsse effort it must
be to publish on your behalf-on be-
half, l doubt not, of each one of this
large and brilliant assembly-our
hearty appreciation of the public
spirit and unselfsh generosity to
which we are indebted for the exist
ence OF the chsrming theatre in
which we meet this evening
"Many delightful memories are
associated with the house, OF which
we were last year deprived by fire.
The beautiful building which has
risen, phenix-like, from the ashes OF
the old theatre not only continues
these memories, but will also be for
us monument to the muuifcence
and friendly liberality which has
provided it.
81 feel sure that / may be permit
ted to voice your unanimous thanks
to our esteemed and patriotic friend,
Mr.. Irwin, for the boon which he
has, with such great and thoughtful
effort, been instrumental in confer
ring upon he home OF his early days,
and to his colleagues, Mr.. John d.
Spreckels and Mr.. Adolph Spreck-
els, who have thus shown their gem
erous regard for the country with
which they have long been 50 init
mately associated.
"Nor must our thanks fail to
lady, whose life for ten years
amongst us has been marked by so
much benefcence and charity in the
land OF her adoption, and who has
devoted such untiring interest and
refined taste to the preparation Of
this exceedingly beautiful place.
"My present task would be- but
imperfectly performed were l to
omit record OF our thanks to our
admired and esteemed songress, now
welcome back to her native land
Miss Annis Montague-and to the
accomplished company OF ladies and
gentlemen whom she has summoned
round her, in honor OF this interest
ing inaugural occasion, for the
beautiful operate performance Of
which we have witnessed the first
act
81 hope, ladies and gentlemen,
that, however feebly, may have
not unsuccessfully expressed your
feelings towards Mr.. and Mrs. Irwin
aud their coadjutors in the gift Of
this theatre"