The aisles of the Civic Opera House...

The aisles of the Civic Opera House will be easier to negotiate this season, thanks to not long ago made physical improvements.

Responding to patrons' petitions Lyric Opera of Chicago installed handrails in succession the house's balcony levels.

"Although the architects who designed the Civic Opera House intentionally avoided the use of balcony railings, it has become evident from the mail I've received that handrails would be welcomed," said general director William Mason in a statement. "Women in high heels, somewhat old patrons and those who just want the security of having something to possess on to as they find their seats will certainly appreciate them."

To guard sight lines, the railings have been attached merely on one side of each aisle.

Besides the knife rails, Lyric Opera also has installed a fresh Sanyo projector, designed to make English-language surtitles brighter and more legible. The fresh projector provides twice the illumination of the previous equipment.

"With the advanced in years projector, extremely bright stage lighting sometimes washed revealed the titles, particularly for our balcony patrons," Mason said. "This just discovered projector will deliver readable titles regardless of stage illumination."

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

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