Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

4 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

Advertising

THE CHANNEL ISLANDS.

Advertising

A NEW PALACE OF ENTERTAINMENT…

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

A NEW PALACE OF ENTERTAINMENT FOR LONDON. The Albert Palace at Battersea, which was in- augurated by the Lord Mayor, on Saturday, is an elegant structure of brass and iron, which was used for the purposes of a National Exhibition in Dublin thirteen years ago, and was opened by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1872. Having served its purpose in the Irish capital, the palace was taken down in 1882, and its owners, believing that such an institution would supply public needs in the Battersea district of South London, determined to re-erect it in the vicinity of the park. In its present form the building consists of a nave of 60 feet high, 473 feet long, and 84 feet wide, with a gallery all round, with an apse at the centre of the nave 50 feet long by 84 feet wide. There is also an annexe, known as the Connaught Hall, 60 feet high, 157 feet long, and 118 feet wide, with a double gallery all round, which is admirably adapted for musical enter- tainments, the acoustic properties of which appear to be perfect. A grand organ has been erected here, for which it is claimed that in the points of magnitude, tone, balance of power, and constructive art, no equal exists in the world, the nearest approach to it in size, power, and sweetness being the grand organ at Haarlem. The instrument, which stands 50 feet high, exhibits a bold and impos- ing front; it has four manuals, of the usual five octaves compass, with a pedal board of two and a half octaves, but consists of six distinct organs and not five, as these particulars would seem to imply, the highest keyboard serving for an echo, as well as for a solo organ. The number of stops is 65 and of pipes 4200. The company to whom the palace belongs propose to issue associates' certificates, which will not only admit to the building and grounds, but enable the holder to participate in an annual distribution of works of art, while the ordinary advantages of the place will include reading-rooms, musical and other entertainments, a picture gallery, and the exhibi- tion of various handicrafts in operation. The Lord Mayor, and the Lady Mayoress (Miss Fowler), who were accompanied by the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex, were received at the entrance by Sir Robert Garden, M.P., chairman of the com- pany, and the Board of Directors, and were conducted the Connaught Hall, where Sir Robert presented to the following address My Lord Mayor,—The Albert Palace has been established to provide rational amusement and recreation for the public, and such an institution cannot fail to prove a great boon to the densely-populated district south of the Thames. The fine arts and music, interpreted by a permanent orchestra, composed exclusively of British- born musicians, will form a prominent feature of attraction, and the Council moreover venture to think that the proximity of this building to the picturesque park of Battersea will greatly tend to popularise the latter, as the site chosen by the late Prince Concert for the re-erection of the Great Exhibition of 1851, ultimately rebuilt on the slopes of the Surrey hills. It now remains for me personally, and on behalf of the Council, to welcome your lordship and the Sheriffs and to thank you for your presence on what I believe to be a most interesting occasion, and I now ask your lordship to confer upon it your good wishes, and declare it open and dedicated to the public." In reply, the Lord Mayor congratulated the founders of the palace, which, he felt certain, would not only be popular with the people of the district, but would receive the patronage of the public at large. He then declared the building open, this announcement being received with a flourish of trumpets, and by loud cheering from the assembled company. The inaugural concert, which commenced imme- diately after this brief ceremony, began with a Dedi- cation Ode written by Mr. W. A. Barrett, and com- posed by Mr. A. J. Caldicott, in which, by special permission of the Queen, the Chorale Gotha," com- posed by the Prince Consort, was introduced. The solo voice parts were allotted to Madame Alwina Villeria and Mr. Herbert Thorndike, whose admir- able performances were ably assisted by the choir. Mendelssohn's Hymn of Praise formed the second part of the concert, the chief parts being taken by Madame Valleria, Miss Winthorp, and Mr. Edward Lloyd. In the evening the grounds were illuminated, and notwithstanding the wet weather Mr. Pain was able to give a very successful illumination.