Database Manager on August 7th, 2018:
<i>Philadelphia Inquirer</i>, Thursday, October 8, 1885, p. 3:<br> <br> "To place an organ in the Academy, the difficulties involved were obvious. The spacious stage, almost the largest in the world, was too precious to be encroached upon. But the builder, Mr. H. L. Roosevelt, has, happily, found a place under the stage for his pipes, and, although the height there was so limited as to require the "elbowing"of some of the larger and longer pipes, the space has been found ample for its purpose. Of course, the instrument is not intended for solo players to display their acquirements. Its single manual, limited pedal resources and meagre list of registers forbid brilliancy, variety of show of any kind.<br> "What Mr. Baker desired to have, and what the builder has aimed to make, was an organ to sustain choruses both in opera and oratorio. This purpose the present instrument will doubtless fill much better than any substitute yet heard in the Academy.<br> "The only portions of the organ which can be seen from the auditorium are the manual and pedal. These are inclosed [sic], when not being used, in a plain ash case. This can be removed at will to any part of the building. The connection with the pipes is made by an electric cable and the bellows is supplied by water power."