Articles on Grau’s renovations at the French Theatre and upcoming operatic season

[Part of larger article reviewing and announcing multiple performances.] “Mr. Grau is progressing rapidly with his improvements at the French Theatre, and expects to be in readiness by the time that his artists arrive—namely, in about three weeks. The capacity of the house has been greatly increased. In fact it continues to increase every day—no two reports agreeing on the subject. At present it will hold 2,500, but if we wait patiently it will undoubtedly accommodate 5,000.”

Brief. “Forty-eight members of Grau’s opera bouffe company sailed on the St. Laurent from Brest for New York on Saturday. Among the leading artists are Mlles. Rose Bell, Desclausas and Fontanel, and Messrs. Carrier, Beckers, Gabel and Bourgoin.”

“We gave some months since an outline of the plans of Mr. Grau for the interior improvement of the French Theatre. A visit on Saturday afternoon disclosed something of the extent of the renovations and improvements which have been making during the summer, under the personal direction of Mr. Grau. The changes effected have been marvellous [sic]. By the removal of the old lobbies, the parquette and upper tiers have been carried back; the accommodations of the box circle have been increased, and its ventilation improved; three hundred seats have been gained in the parquette; the dress circle and family circle seats have been made much better; the exits of the parquette and box circle open directly in the street; the stage has been deepened, and generally the whole interior has been reconstructed. The whole of this has been effected at a cost to Mr. Grau of over thirty thousand dollars; and when the house shall be opened, on the 5th of next moth, the public will agree with us as to the good taste with which this large sum has been spent.

“Yesterday the large opera bouffe company engaged by Mr. Grau’s agents abroad arrived on the St. Laurent. Among the prominent artists is the prima donna, Madame Rose Bell, who, under her former name of Mlle. Lapomeraye, has won distinction at the Paris Grand Opera by her artistic merits and personal charms, especially as the Grand Ducess, Helen and Genevieve. Another leading singer is Mlle. Marie Desclausas, who has been especially successful as Prince Charming, in ‘Cendrillon.’

“Mlle. Fontanel is another singer who is competent to take the prima donna’s part in any of Offenbach’s operas. M. Julien Carier, the first tenor, sang originally in the Paris Opera Comique, but developed such a marked talent for opera bouffe that he transferred himself to that line of representations. He is said to have a voice of singular extent of range, purity and freshness. M. Beckers has won a high reputation in such characters as General Boum, Agamemnon, &c., and M. Gabel was the original Titon in ‘Genevieve de Brabant,’ with which the season is to open.

“Of the preparations which have been made in the way of costumes, scenery, &c. we shall speak hereafter.”

“The Grau Troupe.—Mr. J. Grau’s company arrived last evening in the steamer St. Laurent, from Brest. Among the artistes are Mad. Rose Bell, Mlles. Desclanges, Fontanel, Villa, and MM. Carrier, Beckers, Gabel, and Borgoin. Thea [sic] will inaugurate the season at the Théâtre Français on the 5th of October, properly with ‘La Grande Duchesse.’”

“Mr. Grau’s preparations for the coming season of opera bouffe at the French Theatre—to begin next Monday evening—are nearly all completed. The upholsterers and painters are giving the finishing touches to the enlarged and beautiful interior, the orchestra and chorus are drilling daily under the direction of Mr. Stoepel, and the leading singers are all in readiness for the opening of the season. The sale of seats and boxes for the season will begin next Thursday. The demand is already great.”