New-York tribune., 1906-12-02
HAMMERsTEINs OPERA HOUSE
Design Of the New Homo Of Opera On NJ
34th Street-Its Dimensions.

Oscar Hammerstein has built many tasstup-,
more than any other man In New York n
built the Harlem Opera House. the Victoria H.
New York and Criterion, Belasco'A HAcksess
and Roster Balls. But In the new Mn.
haitian Opera House. which opens Tomorrow b,
has done what ne considers his biggest work
He has not. however, departed from tho shsaar,
form. altough fifteen OF the ooxss are IN
horseshoe around the front OF the frss ssilara
thirty-two OF them are at the ddea a n
theatre and the fan shape OF the auditorium
maintained.
The interior plans have been worked out ala.s
the symmetrical lines Of modern and Fren6
portico Is made through an entrance foyer n
style of the "Regence," having walls OF warn
toned Yorkshire stone relieved and contrassd
by massive columns OF Breche violet roarhiA
with bronze ornaments. doors. trims ca,
then through an arcade foyer directly into
the orchestra floor. Two large italian uashA
in lyric design at the left and right
lead up to the Louis XIV grand foyer %
Luxe" thence through to the loges and
proscenium boxes Spacious elevators TO The
left and right lead to the foyer and boxes and
two staircases at the extreme ends lead to The
second and third balconies. The main audse-
mum rises from its structural base through .
pertstyle containing forty proscenium b0xeA
supported by columns OF heroic size, which alse
act as the supporting bases for serncircis
loges and the two balconies above The pros
cenium boxes are crowned at either side Of IL
stage with an ornate superstructure rising eighu
feet above the orchestra floor, and designed 70
form background for two sculptured fgurs
groups representing Genius danksd by The
arts, Painting" and Sculpture" Tho entire
scheme reaches climax IN the main ceilin9
one hundred feet high. with an enormous shae
low dome elliptical in shape. forming bacs'
ground for the main soulptured group OF nine
figures. in the centre OF which OrphsO
and the MUSES.. The centre OF the gold clips
incloses huge painting in aIesory. cOntainfS
upward OF forty figures suggesting Music at
hIy all iaaTd air 6A
electroner IS fifteen feet In diameter and con-
tafns one thousand lamps. Twenty-Your MINOR
electroEers enhance the effect and augment tos
necessary illumination for the vast auditorium
and ceiling. Five thousand incandesoent lanps
are distributed elsewhere throughout the audl-
tortum.
The prosceniun frame. having an opening OF
so by 50 feet. is Surmounted by mural painting
so by 20 feet. set in gigantic tympanum Hefe.
the goddess Music. Over one hundred figures
are shown in the various Operatio characters
which are readily recognized
The architectural scheme OF decoration a."
color is in the style OF Louis XIV. The preva-,
ing colors are mural grounds Of deep red VII. VII.
decorations IN contrasting shades OF warm % o..
tint, relieved with ornaments in gold. IA.
proscenium frame is treated in gold throusnou
10 set forth advanta geOuSly the stage pic'ur.
There are spacious POmpeiian smoking rooI-'
below stairs, with pariors lOunging rooms, rooI
for the press etc The entire building IS h,.-
proof, and the channels Of exit have been 50 o., o..
ranged as 10 make congestion OF fnsresS g.
egresS practically impossible. Six interior sesA
cases. in addition 10 two elevators, aIoru
means of reaching the upper balconies AHo
are foyers and corridors for promenade On ess-s
floor The proportions of the stage are sv ~ -.
feet Mr.. HammerStein believes that ne Ia ~
surprise in store for patrons in the conlo,.
the orchestra chairs which have been macs -
q special design.