The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-11-03
PARIS ORCHESTRA WILL
 BE HERE NOV. IA
Concert to Take Place on the Mezzanine Floor of Tut wiler-Arrangements
 for 2500 Seats

The celebrated orchestra of the Paris conservatory-the greatest orchestra in France and according to some authori- ties the greatest in Europe-wlll ap- pear in Birmingham on Thursday night, November 14, under the local auspices of J. II. Holcombe, the well known plano man.
 The concert will take place at the Tut wiler, through the courtesy of Manager Fred B. Shireman; not in the ballroom, where many artist recitals have been held, but on the mezzanine floor The orchestra. numbering nearly 90 men, will be staged at the head of the stairway leading from the lobby. Chairs for the audience will be placed on the mezzanine and in all the balconies, and in addition the greater part of the lobby will be cleared and will be converted for the time being into an auditorium. In this way it is estimated that something like 2500 people can be seated. Decorated with flags and potted plants the hotel will pre- sent beautiful scene
 It will be recalled that the Paris or chestra was booked for Birmingham for October 23, the Bijou having been en- gagged for the occasion, but the influenza epidemic here and In other cities of the couth caused the southern tour to be temporarily abandoned
 When Henri Gressitt. the contracting agent of the French organization, ar- rived here a few days ago he found that neither the Bjou nor the Jefferson were available for a concert on his only open date. When he was about to cut out Birmingham and leave for New Orleans. 1t occurred to him that the Tutwiier, with it's ma gnificent lobby and spacious galleries, would be an ideal place for so superb a body of musicians as that which he represented. When he ap- preached MT. Shireman it was soon agreed that rather than have the orches- tra pass Birmingham by the use of the hotel or so much of it as might be needed, would be at it's disposal
 The Paris orchestra is not in the United States on q commercial venture. It is sent by the French republic on mission of good will and in appreciation of America's splendid service in helping the allies to defeat Germany. After the ex penses of the concerts are paid, the pro- ceeds are to be turned over to the Red Cross. Henry L. Davison of New York. the head of the American Red Cross. is a member of the committee sponsoring the orchestra.
 Having dlStlnct patrlOUc Slde, the tour of the orchestra is arousing great interest among all classes. At the New York concert, there was oratory as well as music and the ovation surpassed any thing seen at the Metropolitan Opera House in many day.
 MT. Holcombe said last night that al though he was crowded with work ne would gladly manage the concert here and give his best efforts to it.
 ''The Tutwiler is the place of all others for such an entertainment as the Paris orchestra will present. he said. The very novelty of the thing has quick appeal. I feel confident that l will have the hearty cooperation of the ladies of the Music Study club and of the mem bers of all the civic organizations. That the concert will be a brilliant affair the musical and social event of the sea- son-goes without saying
 Year after year before the music stands became factor In Birmingham g cul- tural activities MT. Holcombe was the leading spirit in Birmingham's festivals and in bringing big musical attractions to this city. It was generally remarked among those who learned~he was to take hold of the Paris orchestra proposition that success from every point of view was assured.