Interior

The theatre, generously decorated both on the outside and from within, is a centre point of the achievements od sculpture and painting in Halychyna of the end of XIX-th century. Sculptors P.Wijtowicz, A.Popiel, A.Pecz, T.Barącz, painters T.Popiel, M.Harasymovicz, T.Rybkowski, Z.Rozwadowski, S.Yasienski and others had displayed their art.

We enter the theatre and admire the twelve picturesque canvases (under conventional name “Trades”), situated under a plafond of the foyer (painters – T.Popiel, T.Rybkowski, M.Harasymovicz, Z.Rozwadowski), gilded balustrade of the second circle (forged of metal it looks like a lace), palmettes and mascheroni on the walls cameos along frieze, which personify Suffering, Self-sacrifice, Will, Joy, Sorrow, Beauty, Music and Dance (sculptor – E.Pecz). Soft light is flowing pleasantly from above through a glassy ceiling: at the day-time – from the Sun, by night – from the Moon and stars. Therefore, in the foyer, there isn't pitch darkness, what is very important from the practical side. On the level of the first floor there is so called a mirror hall, which important element of decoration is represented by mirrors, situated on front of each other – for optic expansion of the hall (35X75). Here, over the doors and above, in front of them, are raised four female figures, which personify Love (with Cupid), Envy (with a Snake), Maternity (with a child), Pride (with a looking-glass).

A mirror hall Plafond “Music”

Over the mirrors good humour is created by the image of the four seasons of the year: spring (with flowers), summer (with a pipe), autumn (with fruit amid chrysanthemums), winter (with a bonfire). As we see, in wall – paintings of the theatre the world's variety with its trades, feelings, characters, kinds of art etc. is reflected. In two compartments of a mirror hall we find the image of the parts of the world, which are grouped around Europe, being the latter the most civilized, progressive of them. Europe, in image of a boy, who travels from one continent to another, is being awarded with their most precious treasures: Asia – with pearls and artistic creations of the Japanese and Chinese painters, Africa – with a diamond and ostrich feather, America – with gold (painter – M.Harasymovicz).

Three panels of the plafond depict: in the centre: Poetry (a girl listening to the bell) and Music and Dance (a girl with a harp) – on each side. A mirror hall opens a view of Svobody Avenue, especially beautiful by night. It is pleasant to stroll here during the interval. But: the third bell is ringing – and we enter the auditorium, where we are being invited. Tragedy and Comedy (sculptor P.Wijtowicz) are situated over white marble staircase with a terracotta-grey marble balustrade of the main foyer.

The lyre-shaped auditorium (22,5X18,5 m) is supposed to accommodate 1 thousand people. Its decoration work was carried out by 10 painters, guided by S.Reychan, whose painting style can be appreciated, having made out a narrow plafond over the stage – the “Apotheosis of Glory”. In the same place we see an ancient coat of arms of Lviv, composition “Genius and angel” (Sculptor P.Wijtowicz). Plafond on the ceiling attracts one's attention, it is composed of 10 sectors with depictions of Grace, Music, Dance, Critique, Drama, Inspiration, Bacchanalia, Innocence, Illusion, Truth. In the very core of the plafond a chandelier is sparkling, it was made by the design of Z.Gorgolewski. With this expensive, artistically perfect “brooch” a master apparently had put full stop in his complicated work in the theatre. The auditorium is decorated not only by paintings and sculpture, but also by a luxurious modelling, gilding, carving (sculptors P.Harasymowicz, P.Wijtowicz, J.Giovanetti, E.Pidhirski), which in different variations pass to three circles. Boxes of the stalls are bordered with columns. The dress circle is decorated with twenty unique pictures on a grey marble. The upper circle “is supported” by atlases and caryatides, and the gallery-by herms.

The stage has two curtains: the anti-fire curtain one, which weight exceeds 12 tons and the decorative one. This picture, painted by the Polish artist G.Semiradzki (1843-1902) is considered to be one of the most unique artistic creations, which exist in Lviv. Z.Gorgolewski, thinking over mounting of the City theatre's auditorium, had decided to add to its magnificence a picturesque curtain (a similar one had been made by G.Semiradzki for the theatre in Cracovia). In 1898 he applied by the letter to this painter with a proposal concerning analogous curtain (his fame did not cede to the fame of J.Matejko), who was a professor of the Saint-Petersburg's Academy and honourable member of many Academies of Arts of Europe (from 1872 he lived in Rome). G.Semiradzki was working on the picture about one year and completed it in June of 1900. The picture was shown at the exhibitions in Rome and Warsaw but it could not be presented in time for inauguration of the theatre. For the first time spectators saw the picture on January 13, 1901. Curtain “Muses on Parnassus”was interpreted by its author in the following way: “Central figure, which is placed against the background of the Temple of Apollo-god of the fine arts and poetry – he personifies inspiration in the image of the Pythian.”

From mysterious fumes, which are coming out of the depths of earth, the inspired Imagination (Fantasy) is rising upwards.

Force, which equilibrates Imagination during conscious work – Mind, is standing on the other side of the Delphical tripod in the garments of Minerva with scales in the hand – symbol of equilibrium.

On the right side, against the background of a gloomy landscape, is depicted a crowd of the people, who are catching at shadows of a human happiness: Fortune, Glory and Love, main-springs of the world's tragicomedy. Allegorie figure of the History by her left hand points at that senseless haste, and in her right hand she holds a book with the words written on it: “Like this it was, like this it is – will it be always like this?” Figures of Tragedy and Comedy complement this group.

On the left side of the curtain: a woman, dressed in a cloak, leans on a harp and looks at the figure of Inspiration, she personifies musical drama (Opera).

The Opera's dual essence is being interpreted by the figures depicted alongside: Poetry (with a lyre in her hand and with a laurel wreath on her temples) and Music shaped as classical Siren – demibird – demiwoman. This Opera is complemented by: comic Opera (operetta) – a young, skittishly smiling woman, who is holding a lyre, decorated with a comic mask, and Dance. At one time the painter asked the board of directors of the theatre to print this interpretation of the picture. With this purpose were published artistic leaflets.

G.Semiradzki was invited to inauguration of the City theatre, but he could not arrive. After appearance in Lviv of his picture's reviews he didn't want to read either laudatory or critical judgements. Having looked at the photograph with representation of the theatre, he wrote in his letter: “Beautiful structure, all fellow countrymen, who had seen it, are speaking about it with a sincere enthusiasm.”