We tend to think of the visiting musical celebrity – and, indeed, the stadium-sized performance space – as a relatively new phenomenon. Yet here is the Polish pianist Arthur Rubenstein performing at the Theatre Royal in Dublin way back in 1954.
Such was the excitement and anticipation at the time that, according to a report in this newspaper, the pianist was welcomed to the Mansion House by the lord mayor, Alfie Byrne, who spoke of his “supreme eminence” in the world of music.
Born in 1887 and a child prodigy by the age of four, Rubenstein was regarded as the greatest Chopin interpreter of his day. His Dublin recital – a fundraiser for the Adelaide Hospital – included works by Beethoven and Chopin, as well as the ballet music from Stravinsky's Petrouchka, written for and dedicated to Rubenstein by the composer.
Our music critic was well impressed. “Masterly” was the verdict.
Looking at the picture now, though, what’s most impressive is the size of that stage. It is massive, dwarfing not just the grand piano, but also – despite his Einstein-style shock of hair – the pianist. The Theatre Royal in Hawkins Street was actually the third incarnation of a theatre in that location. Built in 1935, it had a 40ft stage and catered for some 3,700 people seated, with standing room for 300 more.
By the 1950s, the grandeur of its lavish “Moorish style” interior had somewhat faded. And look at that “No Smoking” sign, prominently displayed to the left of the stage area. Imagine having to remind modern punters at, say, the National Concert Hall, that lighting up mid-Stravinsky is not a good idea.
In 1962 the Theatre Royal closed its doors for good, to be replaced by Hawkins House, now – almost fondly – regarded as one of the ugliest buildings in Dublin. Rubenstein outlived the theatre by two decades, dying peacefully in his sleep in 1982, at the age of 94.
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