Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-29
S1,50O,O)D OPERA
HOUSE IS SPLANNED
Mrs. WiIson.Greene Outlines
Project Which May Ma
teriaIize Here in 1890.

A modern opera house and music
hall for Washington, which in some re-
spects will rival and even surpass IA
cilities of the Metropolitan of New York,
is to be erected during the coming year
on centrally located site If plans for
mulated after long consideration are
carried to fruition, 1t was revealed last
night in a statement authorized by Mrs.
Katie Wilson-Greene, who has long
been actively engaged in the manage
ment of theatrical and musical pro-
ductions here.
The project, which it is believed will
add major improvement to Washing
ton, will represent an investment of ap-
building and is predicated on the sale
of boxes in the opera house and stock
issue.
5000 Seating Capacity.
Arrangements for the stock sale, the
sole method of financing now contem-
plated, have been completed and pre-
liminary sketches for the building have
been drawn by Maj. George Oakley
Totten, jr:. prominent Washington
architect The building is to have a
is to be the same depth as that of the
Metropolitan Opera House, rs feet, and
the proscenium will be 60 feet, feet
wider than that of the Metropolitan. it
is stated.
The site, now in the process of ac-
QUESTION, was not revealed. The project
is to be placed in the hands of the
Washington Music Hall Realty Corpora
ton. which is shortly to be incorporated
Mrs. Greene, the prime mover
in the enterprise. last night made the
following statement of the projected de-
velopment:
Consultation with leading architects
and specialists in the construction Of
such buildings has resulted in the prep
GRAFTON of plans by one of the leading
architects of the country for the opera
house and music hall. The structure
will occupy centrally located and con-
veniently accessible site in Northwest
Washington and it's cost will be reason
able. Including the price of the land
the entire project is to represent an in
vestment of about $1,50o,oo0.
Not Too Elaborate.
'"The building is designed and will be
constructed on scale that is in keep
ing with the part that it is destined tc
play in the social and cultural life oi
washington. It will not be too elabor-
ate, but in good taste. Simplicity and
grace have been sought in its archi-
lecture rather than the gaudy obtru-
siveness characteristic of some of oul
modern theaters. The house will be
comfortable, possessing those techni' al
arrangements and devices now lacking
in any Washington theater available fol
grand opera, but which are necessary
for the accommodation of large oper-
attic productions and concert orchestras
At the same time the number of seats
will permit Of an audience sufficiently
large to bring the price OF admission
within the reach of ALL
THE project is to be financed through
the sale of 26 shares of preferred stock
ownership of this stock representing
ownership of 26 boxes, and through
issuance of 10000 shares of common
stock, of a par value of $100 each. The
sale of the boxes at the prices fixed will
approximately cover the cost of the
building. while enough common stock
will be sold to pay for the ground and
to meet any deficits arising from con.
struction costs over and above the total
value of the preferred stock and to raise
such additional sums as may be
deemed advisable for the creation Of q
surplus fund. The names of a group
of prominent Washingtoniaps. who will
serve as members of the board OF
directors of the corporation will be
announced shortly.
Pending the acquisition Of all the
land chosen for the site Of the music
INoutir,,aI ~, DoOo o fy0J,,roy, ~