Articles on forthcoming alterations to the Academy of Music
Event Information
Venue(s):
Academy of Music
Record Information
Status:
Published
Last Updated:
25 June 2023
Performance Date(s) and Time(s)
21 Jul 1871Citations
“The Academy of Music is undergoing an interior metamorphosis. The style of decoration is to remain unchanged—the woodwork in white and gold, and the upholstering in crimson. The dress circle undergoes an entire change in plan, involving a succession of closed stalls similar to the present proscenium boxes, each having a separate entrance from the lobby, and capable of accommodating from ten to fifteen persons comfortably, free from intrusion, and from observation if desired, thus following closely the plan of the most fashionable London theatres. The stalls are to be furnished and upholstered in elegant style, each one costing complete about $600. The change, while it will be acceptable to those whom it is designed to please, will, at the same time, it is claimed, materially improve the acoustic qualities of the auditorium.”
“The New-York Academy of Music, subject to many mutations, is now undergoing another interior metamorphosis. Since its rebuilding, after the fire of three years ago, much dissatisfaction has been expressed regarding its arrangements for the public accommodation, and its acoustic properties have been especially condemned. The directors have resolved to endeavor to remedy the defects complained of, and in doing so to render the place especially attractive to what may be termed the higher, though not always the most profitable class of musical patrons. The style of decoration is to remain the same as before—the wood-work in white and gold, and the upholstering in crimson. The alteration consists of an entire change of the plan of the dress-circle, which is to comprise a succession on inclosed [sic] stalls similar to the present proscenium boxes, each having a separate entrance from the lobby, and capable of accommodating from ten to fifteen persons comfortably, free from intrusion, and from observation when desirable. This, it will be seen, is following closely the plan of the most fashionable of the London theatres. The stalls are to be furnished and upholstered in gorgeous style, each one costing, complete, about $600. The change can hardly fail to be acceptable to those whom it is especially designed to please; and if it should result in an improvement of the general acoustic qualities of the auditorium, it will certainly be to the advantage of those who go to hear rather than to see.”