Year: 1875




LONDON, Sept o. 1875


very interesting ceremony occurred in this city
the 7th In the laying Of the "nrst brick" of the
national opera house by Mile. Tetens and it becomes
| particularly interesting to Americans when 1t is
membered that this accomplished lady to make
her appearance on the operatic stage in New York


London has long felt the need OF really good opera
house, and Mr. Mapleson last decided give her
what she desired. The site chosen is on the Thames
eInbankment quito Parliament House and COM
mandng fine view from the river and Westminster
Bridge. In form 1t will be nearly square, and will
cover two To reach good foundation thick
bed OF sandy soil and large everything of rubbish
the accumulation OF several In the history of West
minister improvements had to be excavated. and then,
the clay having been reached there great ntru-
sion OF water along with 1t, that system OF pipes
! needed for the operation of pumping. In the
course of all this labor


| MANY RELICS OLD TINES


brought to light, and preserved with anti
quarian zeal Skulls and bones Of animals that roamed
the Thames Valley and hunted by ancient Brtons
in those Druidca days which long proceeded the very
earliest representation of sNorma any stage have
been gathered cleaned sorted and labelled with praise
worthy Swords gold inlad and richly fashioned,
tell OF the fouds of York and Lancaster and many
objects, long concealed, forth again to throw
| light on tho faded scroll or the past


|


The general aspect OF the Opera House,
In the drawings of the architect most imposing and
will constitute marked feature the Thames cmbank
| ment The form of the building, shown in the
drawings irregular paralleogram, and has really
four Sides three Of which altogether face roads Tho
front next the embankment consists OF centre and
two wings In positions so constructed as to project out
from front facade we'll the lateral deades The
auditorium is to be surmounted by cupola of
| great beauy; it will rise to height OF
| 140 feet, and IL Is intended that the scenery
shall be lifted up as well as let down. suni-
cen height being given enable this to be effected,
the original having been modified in this respect;
and by making fiat roof over, the apparent height OF
this part of the building has been successfully de-
creased 1t appears from the statement OF the archi
tect that the depth which has been essary
go has been very great The level OF the stage will be
forty above the foundations The level also, from
the embankment towards Cannon row falls considers
bly, that the stage and the artists dressing will
all have windows above ground The works in
connection with the underground railway have not yet
progressed but the plans show that there will be en-
frances theretrom 10 the theatre.


PLAN or TIE HOUSE


shows large vestbule in front, 100 feet in length.
| From this, a level the entrances TO the stalls
On either side, in the pavlons are circular marble
starcases each leading to the grand tier while the pit
boxes tier is approached either side by separate
starcases The auditorium will contain 500 stalls The
grand tier and toyer will level with the corridor
The foyer will be lofty and the suit OF rooms provided
for refreshment and promenade will challenge compari
son with anything of the kind in this country There
IL no indication given of the precise character OF the
decoration of tho interior of the house. the drawings
of this part are not very forward The ceiling and
spaces springng from the main wall, however, VIII


o great onnortunitv for the skill OF the scenic artist
and the system OF lighting proposed informed
to be arranged above the audience that thorough
ventilation will be attained The stage and its general
arrangements would appear TO have had careful
sderation The and comforts OF the artists have
also been especially cared for while provision for the
production OF spectaces mas Deen maze on an ample
scale.


The company began 10 arrive at one O'clock and in
short time quite throng OF spectators had assembled
around the spot Punctuay at hafpast one Mile Tiet
and under the escort OF Lord Alfred Paget Mr. Maple
son. Mr. Fowler the architect and several Others The
party passed along the wooden platform and descended
the handsomely carpeted staircase which led down to
the foundation OF concrete upon which the "brick"
was to On reaching the bottom Of the stairs
Mile. Tetjens .she leaned upon the arm OF Mr..
Fowler was presented with an elaborately engraved
silver trowe by Mr.. Webster the contractor, The
trowel bore the Inscription National Opera House
The first brick of this building laid by Mile.
Tietens on the 9TH September, 1873. j. H. Mapleson,
nronrietor: r. H. Fowler architect William Web
ster contractor The fair singer was then con-
Quoted to the spot which q thln smooth layer Of
white mortar had been spread upon the concrete The
foreman Of the masons placed brick in the midst
Of the white surface Mile. Tietjens then LAID
the first brick her hands encased in decatey coored
gloves and demanded that the plumb liue should be
used to ascertain that the work had been properly
done The second, third and fourth bricks were laid
by Mr. Fowler, Mr. Mapleson and Lord Alfred Paget
respectively and hearty cheers had been
gwen for Mile Tetjens the company adjourned to MI
| MaplesOn'H chambers, where luncheon hau been pro-
vided A few toasts were then proposed and a few
speeches made all strictly applicable 10 the business
OF the day. Mr. Fowler briefly proposed the health OF
| Mile Tieijens who had honored the undertaking by
presiding at its initial ceremony The speaker alter
an eloquent compliment TO the singing and acting OF
! Mile Tietens, who, he said justly entitled "the
Queen OF Song" concluded by wishing her every hap
pness and her approaching Atlantic voyage
the result of which would be 70 give Brother Jonathan
the opportunity OF hearing the first dramatic singer In
the world They ALL he said, living in hopes that
before many months had elapsed they would hear
|
Opera House II is hardly necessary " add that
this toast was enthusiastically responded to- that
general anxiety evinccd TO hear few words from
Mile. Tietens In acknowledgement


, THE GREAT CASTRATRICE,


however, deputed Lord Alfred Paget TO reply, who
made few brief but pertinent observations. He re-
errcd the difficulties by which this great undertake
ing had been obstructed difficulties which had been


much enhanced by the that in this country theatr
cal enterprise need look for any government sub
venton, but must depend entirely on private enter
prise and therefore 1t that Mr. Mapeson en-
titled to every encouragement IN his hazardous and
costly speculation or the future of the new
Opera House was heraldcd by the usual pognostcs of
failure but he had every confidence that by the time he
(.ord Alfred had returned from India the building
would have been erected in accordance with Mr
, Fower's beautiful design. His lordship again
rose to propose the health OF Mr. hapleson, toast
which was received with universal applause and
gave to Mr.. Mapeson the opportunity OF saying a
lew words respecting the business which had caused
them TO assemble there that day They had just seen,
he said brick the National Opera House laid
by Mile Ticuens but he hoped, before many months
had elapsed see the "nrs stone laid by his Royal
Highness the Prince OF Wales. loud cheers) Some
difficulty had arisen In bringing matters to their present
promising position and Colonel Beresiord and few
| others had opposed them tooth and nail Resistance
had, however, been conducted in determined and
straightforward manner and now they cared nothing
for Colonel Beresiord nor for any else So enor-
nous had the difficulties with which they had been
met a the outset Of their undertaking that he had
feared II would take two three years to bring them
in sight OF port but thanks to Mr. Webster, their
tractor with whom difficulty WAS thing TO be over
come-tcheers)-he believed that he should be able TO
| open the National Opera House next season. loud
cheers) With that view he had made engagements OF
the most comprehensive charactor--n fact, exceeding
by thousands of pounds In responsibility the engage
mens OF former seasons II was his intention that the
new building should remain open throughout the year
and that whilst the hons share Of the time given
TO Italian opera three four months should be re-
served Tor English opera English singers and English
composers Neither would the more strictly speaking
dramatic art forgotten for tho promotion OF which
he had secured the cooperation Of Mr. Calvert OF Man