The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-30
By MYRTLE MILES

.ft. By MYRTLE MILES
 What Mardi Gras is to New Orleans, the Fiesta to Los Angeles. grand opera is to Atlanta-an annual festival time, when the city is in holiday mood and the spirit of hospitality and gayety prevails in every quarter. So successful has heen she present season and so prom .s.ng are the plans for the future, there can he no doubt that the audiences will before many years require additional room and the big auditorium be so inadequate as to require vast changes. Looking ahead, one can imagine. such throngs as are to be seen in Milan or Paris or Vienna, visiting the opera as the religieuse visits his shrine. But, at the present this is the picture of Atlanta grand opera.
 Ire Opera Crowds
 For half an hour before the parting of lthe big crimson and gold curtains, the streets of Atlanta are almost impossible; automobiles are rushing forward at the limit of the speed regulated by the au- thorities, in the melee is heard the insist ent click-click of horses hoofs, and the lonk of motor horns, for the hurry to the opera has begun At crossings one must await his turn for passing to the street beyond the long line of awaiting eouipages, with the throbbing of engines, the nervous stamping of restless hoofs, and the cries of officers directing the traffic-the little pause is tense with anX- iety for the operagoer, who feels like helpless pawn in a big game-to be pushed here and there, at the will of blue coated player. The handling of these big crowds in and out of the theatre Is won serful Despite the narrowness of At lanta's streets, the unaccustomed crowds, the presence of many chauffeurs and drivers from other places unfamiliar with Atlanta streets and Atlanta ways. acci- dents are avoided and entrance is made to the theatre with ease and dispatch Because of the splendid system at the doors of the auditorium and of the re- spcnse given by patrons, the audience was in it's seat before the parting of the curtains, and the performance progressed undisturbed by the entrance of late com ers--those who were a moment tardy be- ing kept in the rear until the first act was ended. The auditorium offers the two big advantages that are the making of place of this kind One can both see well and hear well from any vantage point.
 The arena seats thousands, and it's ele- walton is so good that the view of the stage even from afar is fine. The boxes which surround it, and the tiers of seats in the dress circle above offer excellent advantage, and the acoustics are superb. It is an unlovely place from the decora- tors standpoint, but with the wonders of a Metropolitan orchestra, Methropolitan chorus, Metropolitan stars and Metropol- itan scenery before one, and surrounded by the loveliness of the south's fairest women, what more can anyone ask? And in lieu of the beauty and grandeur of the Metropolitan opera house in New York, there is this to be offered by the Atlanta auditorium, the southern audiences en- thusiasm and appreciation. This makes up so well for any material lack such as seats that are a trihe crowded and boxes unadorned that opera eXerts as great an appeal during its spring engagement as on its native heath So much so that the singers themselves love Atlanta and look upon the southern season almost as a holiday.
 In the Audience
 The attendance this year at the opera was most diversified. Seven perform ances-lasting a weelk--naturally exerted a varied attraction Certain opera lovers went over from Birmingham for the first productions-returning home as others sought a favored performance later In the week; there were number who re- mained the entire season. And so with other southern cities. Neighborng states sent their full quota of visitors. The promenade, during intermissions between the acts brought one into unexpected con tacts. and this feature of the beautiful festival of song was one of its brightest In the throngs who crowded the foyer were many interesting strangers, but here and there one met a friend.
 Mrs George Connors was one of the feted visitors to her former home--receiv- ing the charming ovation which is always hers in Atlanta-box parties and teas and after-opera dinners She was beauty noted especially one night-all in colour de rose and with antique diamond orna- ments clasping her neck. Mrs. Richard Peters, Jr, was another much feted guest-with MT. Peters visiting his rela- lives. Her sister, Mrs Houston Davis, ar rived for the final productions, stopping en route from New York.
 Miss Edna McCandless, whose visits to Mrs. Maben are accompanied by so many festivities, was the occupant or a box looking as sweet and flowerlilSe as ever, in her white satin evening gown, the clouds of white tulle over her shoulders a graceful accessory, which she loves to affect, and corsage cluster of orchids and lilies of the valley to complete her lovely attire Miss Sophie Meldrim of Sa- yannah was one of the feted visitors. In palest pink satin she was one of the ad- mired young women at the opera. Mrs. William Warren of New orleans was one of the visiting beauties, appearing ono evening in rose brocade satin, with cor sage embroideries of rhinestones Mrs. Louise Bankhead Perry was there from Jasper, and was noted as one of the handsomely gowned women ar the Driving club Thursday evening. With her were Capt and Mrs. Henry M. Bankhead of Fort McPherson-the latter in stunning attire as she always is. Mrs. Solon Jacobs and Mrs John Turner Jr, were two Birmingham matrons in regular att tendance at the opera and frequently at