This text was obtained via automated optical character recognition.
It has not been edited and may therefore contain several errors.

---

40
NEW ORLEANS ILLUSTRATED.
present site was selected, and soon tbe New Varieties Theatre, now the Grand Opera House, sprang into existence.
This Association, formed of the leading men of New Orleans, has spared no expense iu the construction of this favorite place of amusement, which is elegant and complete in all its appointments, and has the finest entrance of any theatre on the continent. The Gaiety, under the management of Tom Placide, gained au extensive and enviable reputation, and it would seem as if the Grand Opera House was to rival its predecessor in this respect, as it has, so far, been particularly favored in its representations and management.
Mr. Thos. A. Hall, who lias been lessee and manager of the Grand Opera House for the past three seasons, is one of the best directors of amusements in the country. His selections of combinations have given to the patrons of the Grand Opera House, a series of entertainments which have firmly established him in the favor of our people. We understand that he has made arrangements for a brilliant season, which will probably commence about the 1st of October.
I3HAiRiES ‘TIEIIEATIRIEa
on St. Charles street, between Commercial Place and Poydras street, is an old land-mark aud has enjoyed as wide a reputation as any Temple of Thespis in America. It was built by the late James H. Caldwell, in 1842, aud for many years has been styled the Old Drury.
It was here that the Queen of Song, Jenny. Lind, 011 her triumphal tour through the United States in 1851, gave her concerts which crowded the house from pit to dome. The extended experience of this gifted woman gives her opinion great weight, and after testing the St. Charles Theatre thoroughly, she said, in a letter addressed to the Delta, a leading newspaper of that day, that it was the finest Theatre for acoustics that she had ever sang iu.
Old residents of New Orleans will remember the brilliant audiences that have gathered in the St. Charles to witness the master efforts of Keen, the elder Booth, Macready, Forrest, Julia Dean, Eliza Logan and other bright stars of the dramatic firmament, and will be pleased to learn that Mr. David Bidwell, who bought the property iu March last, is determined to make the Old Drury worthy of its ancient renown.
It is the largest Theatre in the South and will comfortably hold three thousand people. Mr. Bidwell is not only an energetic, far-seeing business man, but is thoroughly devoted to the development and progress of the profession, which his liberality and enterprise have done so mucli to-perpetuate and elevate in our section of the country.
He has made arrangements for the thorough over hauling, remodeling and refitting of this old time favorite. The entire front will be taken out and a spacious vestibule made eighty feet wide, having splendid stairways to the dress circle and making the finest entrance aud exit of any Theatre in America. Twelve hundred of the latest pattern opera chairs will be put in the orchestra and dress circle, while the family circle and gallery will be furnished with comfortable arm-chairs. New scenery, new decorations and appointments throughout, will- give a lustre to the old St. Charles which will eclipse its former appearance even in its palmiest days. Mr. Bidwell intends to make it the Theatre of the South for Grand Opera aud Spectacular Plays, and has-already made some important engagements for the coming season.
We hazard nothing iu saying that our amusement lovgrs have many a treat in store for them at the St. Charles under its new management.
"IFIHIIE ©IPHSIRA
This spacious structure was erected in 1859, under the auspices of the Opera House Company.
It is situated on the corner of Bourbon and Toulouse streets, having a very