OPENING OF ST. MARTIN'S HALL, LONG ACRE

OPENING OF ST. MARTIN'S HALL.

The opening of the great hall took place on Monday night: it is, however, not yet its intended length - fifty feet more are to be added, when the leases of some houses gall in at the west side; galleries are also to be added, and the decorators as yet have done little or nothing. There is, consequently, a naked aspect at present, which is little tempting to induce us to dwell upon its architectural pretensions. There is no organ and we do not think the disposition of the orchestra judicious; the facade is too much elevated for a good distribution of sound. The Hall is well lighted with elegant chandeliers, and there was animation in the general appearance when completely filled with amateurs; and the orchestra presented its band of some seventy players and nearly 500 singers, the latter principally selected from Mr. Hullah's upper singing schools.

Illustrated London News, February 16, 1850