13. CONCERTS AND BALLS.
The concerts of the Conservatoire de Musique, Rue du Faubourg
Poissonnière 15, of European celebrity, take place once a
fortnight, from January to April. The highest order of classical
music (Haydn, Beethoven, Mendelssohn etc.) is performed with the
most exquisite taste and precision. Strangers cannot easily obtain
access to them, as almost all the seats are occupied by regular
subscribers. Application may, however, be made, on the
Friday following a concert, at the office, Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière
15. Balcon and premières loges 9 fr.; stalles d'orchestre,
loges du rez-de-chaussée, couloirs d'orchestre and du balcon, and
secondes loges 6 fr.; parterre and amphithéâtre 3 fr.; side-boxes
2 fr.
Regular concerts are given at the "Concert de Paris", Rue du
Helder 19, near the Boulevard; admission 1—2 fr.; in summer
frequently closed.
Besides the above, there are a number of other concerts-rooms;
Herz, Rue de la Victoire; Ste. Cécile, Rue de la Chaussée d'Antin;
Erard, Rue du Mail; Pleyel, Rue Rochechouart; Sax, Rue St.
George. — Lent is the principal season for concerts in Paris.
The concerts of the Cafés Chantants are generally of a very
inferior description. Those in the Champs Elysées (p. 16) attract
numerous visitors in summer. The Café des Aveugles in the Palais
Royal also belongs to this class. The following are among the
best of these establishments: Eldorado, Boulevard de Strasbourg,
handsomely decorated hall; vocal performances every evening from
7 to 11 o'clock, which of late years have acquired a certain celebrity
from the appearance (in winter daily) of Mlle. Thérèse.
Casino Français, in the Palais Royal, Galerie Montpensier 18,
Alcazar, Boulevard Poissonnière.
Café-Concert Bataclan, or
Palais
Chinois, Boulevard du Prince Eugène 50.
The public Balls ("Soirées Musicales et Dansantes"), although
the society is by no means always of the most select description,
deserve to be visited by the stranger on account of the gay,
brilliant and novel spectacle they present. The following establishments
are perhaps the most respectable: Jardin Mabille,
recently united with the former Château des Fleurs, near the
Rond-Point, in the Allée des Veuves (Avenue Montaigne; Pl.,
red 3), Champs Elysées, brillantly lighted and handsomely decorated,
balls daily, admission 2—3 fr.; Chalet des Iles in the Bois
de Boulogne (p. 90); Casino d'Asnières (p. 168), in summer only,
generally on Thursdays.
The Masked Balls of the Grand Opéra, which last from
the middle of December till Lent, and take place every Saturday
evening, may be regarded as another characteristic phase of Parisian
life (admission 10 fr.). They present a scene of the most
unbridled and boisterous merriment and excitement, and where
ladies are of the party should be witnessed by strangers from the
boxes only. The female frequenters of these balls always wear
masks or dominoes, the men are generally in evening costume.
