Winter Garden

Long review, with a section on Stoepel and the music.  Also includes a lengthy discussion of set design, using Juignet’s theatre as a model. 

“The opening nights of the season at the Winter Garden have been thoroughly successful.  In many respects the performances have sensibly improved since the first evening, and the satisfaction of the audiences has increased accordingly. . . . The object of scene-setting is one that is never duly considered in New York.  Not one of our own theaters appreciates its real importance.  Mr. Juignet, the French director, has for one or two years past, offered examples at Niblo’s Saloon, which every other manager in the city might study with profit.”

The discussion of scenery and set design continues.  In general, New York and London theater managers fail to achieve good, “believable” sets and props on the stage, unlike the French.  A fine example of the French proficiency is the staging of the vaudeville Le Feu au convent.

“Among the improvements made this season in the administration of the Winter Garden, we must not omit to mention that of the musical department.  Mr. Robert Stoepel is too well known to be the best of our leaders to require any compliments on that head.  The orchestra of which he is in charge is fuller than we have seen for some years at this house, and, owing to the acoustic advantages of the building, is as resonant and effective as that of Wallack’s, which numbers a few more.  Mr. Stoepel has already presented a number of new and gracefully arranged entre actes, and will speedily produce others.  His opening overture was a clever combination of melodies from a brilliant French opera.”

Brief review, with no mention of music.  The theatre has drawn “crowded houses every night.”

Very brief mention.  There were “crowded audiences every evening last week.”