New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-03

italian opera was first introduced TO America
in this theatre on November 90 1926. The or
chestra consisted Of twenty-five Instruments
violins. two tenors, two bassos. three
olarinets. two horns. two trumpets. a bassoon.
G ksttledrum and piano. The opera was The
Barber OF Seville" and admission prices were
advanced during its presentation. 'serliramide"
was also first heard IL this country at the Park
Theatre April Is, 1895
On December 16 1s4s the theatre de-
stroyed by fire.
The first summer theatre In New-YorR was
Mount Vernon Garden az the northwest cor
Eer OF Broadway and Leonarc-st- Performances
were carried on by q portion OF the Park Theatre
company who were disengagec during the sum-
Ener. II opened on July 10. 1900. with q
light comedy. Tickets OF admission were 4 shi-
ungs. and the performances began at p. m
sharp Another theatre. though not OF the sum
mer variety the Grove Theatre. which
stood in what is now Madison-st,. east OF Cath
crime and was opened on March g. 1904. T. ABB
thorpe Cooper mentioned above. played there.
and The Honeymoon" had its initial presenta-
ton in America at this house May %. 1905
The New-York Theatre, IN the Bowery. OF the
Bowery Theatre. as it is known 10 most New
Workers. was opened for theatrical representa-
tions on October It, 1926. under the manage
naent Of Charles Gifert. The foundation stone
was laid by Philip Hone. the Mayor OF the city.
in May OF that year. As of the modern
public ornaments OF this city, said Mayor
Hone in his address. this building stands pre-
eminent" AS the old Bowery Theatre still
stands, though lustreless and forgotten by most
persons OF the present day, Il will not be out
OF place 10 describe II as It was in 1926:
THE building has a front the Bowery OF
20 feet. is 10 feet deep and 80 feet high 10
the cornice thiTty-three feet Of the front in the
centre recedes sixteen feet, the entablature OF
which is supported by two Grecian Doric col
unns and two anita Of corresponding proper
tons; the diameter OF the columns is 8 feet.
their height so feet and the height OF the en-
tablRture 10 feet. The whole front. and all its
ornaments except the cornice, is finished with
cement hard brick in imitation OF marble
a little shaded. The entire front is the bold
est execution Of the Doric order in the United
States. and is also more exactly according TO the
true spirit and style OF the best Grecian exam
pies IN the detail than any other specimen yet
executed. Had there been six columns in front.
originally intended by the architect, but
prevented by wish the part OF the pro-
prietors Cor greater economy of room. this
would PROFESSIONALLY have been the most per-
feet well as the boldest specimen Of Grecian
Dorio in this country. The basement and walls
massive. and constructed OF bluestone and
brick"
The interior OF the theatre In 1926 ele-
CANT, chaste and classical IN its design, the
groundwork being OF light color. with orna-
fnents IN the Grecian style The scenery
painted by Messrs Coyle. Inman and others,
and wes considered beautiful The whole is
lighted with gas" said authority, "in the
most brilliant and effective manner and by
means OF globular ground glass shades the light
IS softened and the effect Is highly agreeable
III
days were: Boxes. IS cents; pit, 37la cents. and
gallery. % cents.
Il was In this theatre that Signorina Garcia
performed in Italian and English opera, and re-
ceved what then considered an enormous
salary. $500 night. The prices doubled
on the nights Of her appearance. but the
thority says 'the house was filed and the re-
ceipts fully justified the managers liberality.
and established the fashionable character of the
house"
In the spring Of 1897 the French opera dancers
Nine Hutin. NJ and Nine Achille Mile. Celeste
Mile. Heloise. NJ. Barbiere and others were
introduced to the American public and drew
crowded houses. Many English performers were
brought forward the boards Of the old Bow
ery-Messrs. Holland, Chapman. De Camp and
Pearman and Mesdames George and Rock and
Mr.. and Mrs. Young. our own Forrest made his
appearance there. To-day the old playhouse is
lost in the shadow cast by the Third-ave. ele-
waited road, and characters Hebraic on its bill
board tell what goes within. Memories Of
The Seven Charmed Bullets and "Mazeppa"
cluster around ii for the early day New-York
theatregoer, but they heeting, are most
memories Of New-York OF the last century.
The La Fayette Theatre. in I1aurens-st. Cnow
West Broadway. near Canal. was first opened
in 1924 as circus ana riding school, and on
November O. $50 was occupied for the Grand
Canal Ball, and fitted UP for that occasion with
great splendor." The Grand Canal Ball was the
concluding festivity incident TO the opening Of
the Erie Canal and given by the officers OF the
militia. MelodTanas and other productions were
presented in the La Fayette at low prices of
admission-25 10 IS cents. Charles Sanford
was the proprietor, and his manager was Mr..
Burroughs the principal performers being Mrs.
SANFORD, Mrs. Duff, Miss Riddle, Mr. Bur
roughs Mr.. Keene, vocalist: Mr.. haywood
and Mr.. Thayer. The building covered a space
50 by 200 feet
Another place Of amusement in the city was
The Theatre. IN Chatham-st From a small
building fitted up in 1923 for summer represent
tatons. with large awning to cover the spec
taIors. was evolved in 1924 neat and commo-
dious brick building. 1t opened on May 10
''by poetical prize address," The entrance to
the theatre was forbidding IN appearance being
from Chatham-st. through long, narrow entry
leading into an open garden ornamented with
shrubbery and a fountain. but in the rear of the
buildings on the street was a large plain edihce
occupying the whole interior of the block and
quite imposing in appearance
The Circus WAS in Broadway. between Canal
and Grand SITS, IN 1928 1t was a large wooden
building occasionally occupied as theatre and