Not currently on display at the V&A

Proposed opera house in the Haymarket, London

Print
1895 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Print showing the auditorium designed by Walter Emden (1847-1913) for the proposed opera house in the Haymarket, London, published in the Supplement to the Illustrated London News, dated 14 December 1895.

In 1889 Her Majesty’s Theatre on the Haymarket, long considered as London’s opera house, was struggling to find audiences. The building, constructed in 1868, was outdated and the standard of performances was regarded as low. It was proposed that the theatre and adjacent buildings should be rebuilt and between 1889 and 1895 several redevelopment plans were considered. In 1889 architect Walter Emden devised a scheme comprising a new theatre, a hotel and an arcade, and in 1895-96 he submitted new designs, which included an opera house, a restaurant, shops and clubs. His design for the interior of the opera house auditorium was published by the Illustrated London News. Emden was not chosen to design the new theatre. The commission was given to Charles J. Phipps.








Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleProposed opera house in the Haymarket, London (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Printed paper
Brief description
Print showing the auditorium designed by Walter Emden for the proposed opera house in the Haymarket, London, 1895
Physical description
Print showing the auditorium designed by Walter Emden for the proposed opera house in the Haymarket, London, published in the Supplement to the Illustrated London News, dated 14 December 1895. View of the auditorium looking towards the stage, showing the stalls and, to either side, 4 tiers of boxes. Above the proscenium is a frieze of the Muses and cupids. The closed stage curtains are decorated with monograms of Queen Victoria. An orchestra is playing in the pit and the audience is assembling. Mounted on brown card.
Dimensions
  • Height: 25.2cm (print)
  • Width: 35.5cm (print)
  • Height: 26.6cm (mount)
  • Width: 38.4cm (mount)
Marks and inscriptions
'INTERIOR VIEW OF OPERA-HOUSE. / Walter Emden, Architect.' (Printe beneath image.)
Credit line
Gabrielle Enthoven Collection
Summary
Print showing the auditorium designed by Walter Emden (1847-1913) for the proposed opera house in the Haymarket, London, published in the Supplement to the Illustrated London News, dated 14 December 1895.

In 1889 Her Majesty’s Theatre on the Haymarket, long considered as London’s opera house, was struggling to find audiences. The building, constructed in 1868, was outdated and the standard of performances was regarded as low. It was proposed that the theatre and adjacent buildings should be rebuilt and between 1889 and 1895 several redevelopment plans were considered. In 1889 architect Walter Emden devised a scheme comprising a new theatre, a hotel and an arcade, and in 1895-96 he submitted new designs, which included an opera house, a restaurant, shops and clubs. His design for the interior of the opera house auditorium was published by the Illustrated London News. Emden was not chosen to design the new theatre. The commission was given to Charles J. Phipps.






Other number
Collection
Accession number
S.327-2017

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Record createdFebruary 22, 2018
Record URL
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