Part 4: The Salon

The Théâtrophone was so popular that very wealthy Parisians installed them in their homes, allowing them to tune into the major Parisian opera houses and theaters from their parlors.

Many of the proprietors of these wealthy, upper class homes hosted "salons:" elite social gatherings in their parlors, often accompanied by music (and perhaps also by collective théâtrophone listening parties). 

For some, the théâtrophone was a nothing more than a public display of wealth: not only could these hosts afford to install a private telephone line in their homes and pay the French telephone company for the service, but they could also afford to pay a monthly fee to the French théâtrophone society for unlimited “livestreaming” via the telephone. Parties would be held at salons, often in competition against other salons – the most lavish of hosts won the popularity.

Part 4: The Salon