The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-03

lMMl CHI interest is being dispiaSeu
 nWll throughout .he city in every AvG thing in connection with fhe stag ing atd singers of the grand opera this afteraoon and evening.
 Josef Urban. the famous Austrian scenic artist. introduced method of painting new to this country-that oL laying the canvas flat on the floor dur ing the work of painting This plan has been in vogue in many European stu dioss but Mir Urban has improved upon it by erecting a perspective balcony all the way around the studio
 From this balcony Mir. Urban gets correct perspective view of the canvas lying on the floor below from every side With a stiff point brush on long bamboo pole, he marks changes Tn the drawing and indicates the various col ors which are to be filled in by his as sistants on the floor. These assistants wear soft felt shoes for walking on the canvas, and the floor is highly polished and kept absolutely free of dust. Ad- joining the studio Is the carpenter shop, where every bit of the scenery is built. This shop contains the most complete set of machinery of any of it's kind in Amer ica.
 All of the productions made at the Bos- ton Opera house were done in this stu dio, and anybody who has kept in touch with affairs theatrical and operatic in the past knows that that institution has stood pre-eminent for years for it's won- derful productions.
 Urban's work, it is said is gradually revolutionizing the art of scene building and painting in this country all of his school His productions for the Boston National Grand Opera company attracted such attention from film theatrical pro- ducers that they began to call upon this master of st2yge decorations for set tings for BroadWhy attractions, and it has become the fashion for managers to feature an Urban Aquipment when stag ing new offering.
 Two of the most striking and elaborate of the Boston Opera house productions are those of Verdis Aida" and Gounods s Faust" which will be presented at the Bijou theatre this evening
 Mir. and Mrs. J. Motion Smith enter tained at a card party last evening at their home complimenting Mrs. L.. M. Bashinsky of Troy.
 Miss Carey Johnson entertained the Friday Bridge club yesterday afternoon at her home on Highland avenue. After a delightful luncheon auction was played and for highest score basket was the prize.
 The supper to have been given this evening at the Southern club for the op- era singers has been postponed on &C., count of the lateness of the hour when the opera is over.
 Mrs George Morrow entertained at an informal tea yesterday afternoon at her home on Cliff road complimenting her mother and sister, Mrs. George Finn and Miss Pauline Finn of Boston, and Mrs Alfred Shook, recent bride. The tea table was adorned with spring blossoms and the guests included a number of the matrons of the younger set and Q number of the girls of the younger set. This is the second of a series of de- lightful tea to be given by Mrs. Nor row.
 lon will be the annual Mardi Gras ball to De given by the Southern club.
 Mr. and Mrs Walter Nebold Walmsley
 ltertained at a lovely dinner party last
 'ening at the Roebuck club. Among
 ose invited to be their guests were ! IT. and Mrs. Edward Ware Barrett, MT. | End Mrs. Felix Drennen MT. and Mrs. R. L. Fulenwider. MT. and Mrs. Ross '. Smith. MT. and Mrs. Harold Samson, MT. and Mrs. Benjamin Walmsley, Mrs Orline A. Shipman and MT. Henry B Gray.
 a luncheon and card party yesterday aft ernoon at the Roebuck club, compliment ing Miss Baker of Chicago and Mrs Ma ble Freeman of New York. The guests