Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1908-05-07
SUPERB OPERA HOUSE
Mexico 10 Have the Finest IN
The World.
GREAT NATIONAL INSTITUTION
Government Is Furnishing s60o0.o0t
20 Build Magnificent Structure e.
The Capital-ornpd Ballroom IN the
Builainn-Te Rn strtctIN rircnrrrf


60 Build Magnificent Structure 81
The Capital-ornnd Ballroom m tht
Building-To Be Strictly Freproot
"Mexico is to have the finest opera
house In the world Vt will cost SG.ua0.
600 and will DE magnificent archltev
urauy. as 10 its furnishings aud m ev.
cry other way"
This was the statement recently made
by WIN J. Davis. manager OF the Illi.
nois thcatcr who had just returned
from a tour Of the land Of Dlaz. says
the Chicago Post lie was the guest
Of Arthur Sullwel, president of the
Kansas City, Mexico and orient rail
way, and of General Manager Diekin
son of the same line. Nearly three
weeks were occupied I'm inspecting the
new railway and visiting the most
important cities and towns on the
route, including "a stop of several days
I'm Mexico City.
"The opera house, which is well un.
der way" continued Mr.. Davis Is a
national affair." the Mexican govern
mcnt furnishing the money for the
purpose. II win stand in the center OF
a square, facing one OF the most beau.
tiful pl8zas in the city. The building
viii he 220 feet wide and $50 feet
deep.
The architect is Adamo Boari lie is
an Italian ana was for some time asso-
clated with Bunham * Root of Chi
oago when that firm was planning and
experimenting the erection Of the
Worlds fair buildings IN Chicago
Mr. B0lri showed me an Of his plans
and models and then escorted me
through such parts of the structure as
it was possible to inspect
"In his working rooms he has two
complete models of the building and
grounds made I'm plaster OF paris. and
he also has a plaster of paris model of
oue-half Of the opera house, with little
plaster figures of men and women
occupying every seat, giving an idea rs
to sight lines and appearance of the
auditorium when filed.
Another model, made of hard wood.
represents the other side Of the build
ing, auditorium and stage, also looking
toward the proscenium. which IS OF
magnificent design and capable of the
highest order of ornamentatiOn. Models
Of the decorations, both in design and
color. We're shown TO me. and they are
very beautiful
Mr.. Boari told me that, while be
was deferrinE in many respects 10 the
wishes Of the people ia Mexico city
who are mostly in favor of European
models In architectural art, he was in
clinel himself To subscribe To the mod
e-u style i'm theatrical building rs illus
trated in leading American theaters.
when l tell you that. uotwithstauJ
ing the great size Of the house. he has
planned Tor something ike 1000 seats
only. You viii understand that he is
largely complying with modern Ideas
which are Les-E Euei 10 bring an audi
euce as close 10 the stage as possible.
Although the stage will be one OF
the largest in the world, the prosceLi
um opening VIII be only forty-two feet
square. Thus it viii be possible tC
stage light operas and even comedy as
we'll as the most preteuuous Produc-
tious.
The au3itouum proper consists Of a
parque1 floor which is truly American
in its proportions. The circles are
ltterued more after the European
tyle and consist first Of "a mezzanine
floor. which is composed of boxes alto
cethe-. the Presidents being directly
in the center and much larger than the
others. There Will DE a caplcious r.
ceptioa room directly or the presi.
dents box for his exclusive use Other
retiring rooms are back Of the boxes
all around the mez2l-.-e door. \ bal
cony and gallery complete the seating
accommodation Of the house.
The spacious front interior of the
structure VIII consist first Of a grand
state ballroom and then series OF
prOmel rJeS, one for each floor OF the
auditorium, all stretching around Il
square court which extends from the
ground II the roof. In the center OF
this court Will be 4 fountain. around
which st all times of the year will be
4 prOfusion of tropical flowers and
plants.
THE front exterior of the building
and. in fact. both sides of it are high
ly ornamental enthusiastically. \ mag
nifcent flight of steps semicircular in
form lead up to the front and straight
away flights on either side. Two sets
Of CapCci9uS elevators will convey pa
irons t. any desired floor. Cafes and
restaurants are provided for; also read
ing. smoking and retiring rooms.
The opera house IS being construct
ed entirely of steel. stone and cement
and VIII b strictly freproof. The
very latest electric lighting appliances
Will L. installed. and modern Couytn-
fences generally viii 5c used through
out the bUilIiuz
"The immense width OF the stage
viii give every facility for ample dress
ing rooms as wei as scene packs and
carpenter AMI property rooms The
height owe. all ON the stage viii be
10 feet aud something over 100 feet
clear 70 the rigging loft. Underneath
the stage there will be ample room for
the working OF most gigantic spectacu-
lar and mechanical effects.
Mr.. Boari informed me that it was
not thought possible to have the build
ing ready for opening before Septem-
Der, 1910. IL is understood that the