The new and adventurous lessee, Mr. Daly, will began his first season at the Grand Opera-house on Tuesday evening, Aug. 20. The opening play, as heretofore announced, will be the new fairy opera bouffe spectacle, entitled “Le Roi Carotte,” (King Carrot,) produced last Winter in Paris, and the joint work of Offenbach et Sardou. The costumes and properties have been manufactured in Paris, expressly for the Grand Opera-house, and have just arrived. The scenery is painted from models and measurements furnished by the artists in Paris, and the music is to be given with additions and alterations made for this country by Offenbach himself. Sardou has likewise composed a special “apotheosis” to end the spectacle, which will be presented for the first time on any stage in New-York. The piece will be played in English of course, and the adaptation is said to be by Mr. Daly. Six scenic artists have been at work since April last on the tableaux - George Heister, Minard Lewis, Louis Duflocq, L. W. Seavey, George W. Dayton and Signor G. G. Gariboldi. The latter has also painted a drapery for the proscenium, which is considered a masterpiece.
The company with which the new season opens constains many well-known artists of both English and American fame, amonf whom are Mrs. John Wood, Miss Rose Hersee, Mr. John Brougham, Mr. Robert Craig (a comedian from the Philadelphia theatres,) Mr. Stuart Robson, Miss Bella Golden, a stranger, who comes from the Western theatres, Miss Annie Deland, Miss jean Burnside, the débutante of last Winter, Miss Ella Deitz, Miss Norwood, Miss Volmer, (late of the Fifth-avenue,) Miss Jennie Yeamans, Miss Helen Strange, Miss Mary Stuart, Mr. J. W. Jennings, Mr. G. F. Ketcham, Mr. Jas. G. Peakes, Mr. Martin Golden, Mr. Cline Hersee, (his debut in this country,) Mr. Jas. A. Meade, Mr. Julian Cross, (of the London theatres,) and others. In addition to this list, Mr. Daly has secured the Majilton Family and the Lauri Troupe, as well as a chorus of forty voices, selected from the Italian, French, and English opera companies. It is said that no fewer than 260 persons will be employed in “Le Roi Carotte.” Forty carpenters, iron-workers, and other artisans have been, we are assured, employed since the 20th of April in preparing for this spectacle, and a number of alterations and improvements have been made in the Opera-house, the machinery beneath the stage and above is being of remarkable character and huge proportions, and constructed after recent French and English models. By this means, it is expected, almost instantaneous transformations can be produced. The auditorium has also been redecorated, and every lobby and passage-way newly carpeted with royal Wilton velvet, made to order for the house ; the boxes have been freshly upholstered and carpeted, and the theatre repainted and gilded. The old boxes on the balcony circle have been replaced by 170 armchairs, which form luxuriant and comfortable seats. A ladies’ toilet-room has been fitted up oft the grand vestibule, and a ladies’ maid will be always in attendance. Finally, the spacious lobby of the theatre has been converted into a picture and art saloon, where the works of well-known artists of European and American celebrity will be on exhibition. Works by Biestadt, Dubufe, Launt Thompson, Brion, and others equally renowned, have already been secured.
From all this it will be seen that great pains have been taken by the new lessee to make a success where hitherto the public have been used only to see failure. The fact is also to be noted that “Le Roi Carotte” has likewise been a failure, or at most a succès d’estime, wherever it has been done. If, in spite of these circumstances, Mr. Daly manages to compass prosperous results, be will deserve credit in proportion to the difficulties of his undertaking.
