The San Francisco call., 1898-04-14

pieces, with tone and understanding and boise that are simply marvellous in a little girl of 9. Perhaps the most re- markable feat of the afternoon was her improvisation on the theme selected at random from several submitted by the audience. She worked the four bars of the unharmoniZed melody into quite an imposing bit of music, giving to it several moods and keys and preserving the char acter and consistency to the very last. Little Paloma seems to have not only the temperament and instinctive feeling, but fair knowledge of the science of music, and 1t is good news to hear that her present season" is limited to two months, after which she will go to Leip- sic, finish her education, and (unless she should go the way of so many prodigies) live up to the brilliant promises of her childhood. Paloma Is a child even on the concert platform. Among the flowers given her during yesterdays recital was a box of candy, which she hugged to her heart with the most convincing delight Mrs. Florence Scarborough sang My son and Delilah'', the song of the mother from the Prophet" and an encore piece, her big contralto sounding to especial ad- vantage in the dramatic aria of Meyer little Miss Paloma will give two more re- citals in the same hall, tonight and to- morrow afternoon.
 
 Hall was the scene of another interest ing concert, benefit given to young Marine, the violinist. Marine was in splendid form and fairly surpassed him self in the D minor concerto of Vie niaush, playing with much more staying power and generalship than usual The lads talents are beyond question and 1t is to be hoped that enough money will be realized out of last nights concert and the other one which will be given Sat urday afternoon in the same hall to en- a hIr1N tn rto ok, r years longer and come home a credit to himself and to the town. Considerable interest was centered in the cello solos or Ernest Lent, who, it will be remem- symphony concert. MT. Lents perform ance last night of the Chopin E-hat noe turne and a Pepper tarantelle proved-con- clusively that his previous disaster was only the result of stage fright. He is not particularly emotional 'cellist and his tone lacks distinction, but he plays that should be valuable in concerted work. Mrs. Carr and Abramoff will as- sist at Saturdays concert.
 From all present accounts Melba's sea- son at the California will be limited to three performances, on Tuesday, Thurs day and Saturday evenings of next week. AS already announced the operas are The Barber, Traviata' and Lucia The The line of ticket-seekers will have formed long before this paper is printed as the seating capacity of the California Iheater is almost as limited as is the length Of MelbaS S season.
 The warm weather has depressed bus- ness at ali the playhouses The Baldwin continues Hoyt's tenderoin piece "A Stranger in New York; the rest of this week and all of next, Ferris Hartman following with the first American produc- ton of an English farce called "The Purser.' Ned Harrigan in "Old Laven- der has only this week at the California. where popular priced production of
 Irilby" will be given after the opera is over. The Orpheum has the best vaude- vile bill of months in Hyde's Comedians. The Grand is showing some fine scenery and the usual earnest acting in the ..Pavements of Paris" The Tivoli con tinues "Sinbad' until further notice The Strange Adventures of Miss Brown has taken so we'll at the Alcazar that probably it will be continued another week. An excellent farce follows-"The Gay Parisians," for which l.. R. Stock well has been specially engaged s.Shore Acres closes at the Columbia with fhe Sunday night performance, giving place to Maria Jansen in "Delmonico's at Six '' An untamable lion by the name of Wal lace is one of the lively attractions at the Chutes. The programme for to-mor- rows symphony concert at the Tivoli in cludes Schubert's finished symphony and Urban.s symphonic poem, .The Ratcatch- CT of Hammelin."