The Washington times., 1902-02-27
WOMEN CHEERED LONG
FOR PADEREESKI
Scene of Unparalleled Enthu-
SiaSm at the Columbia.
POLES REMARKABLE PLAYING
diluted Delight and at the Conclusion
of Lengthy Programme They Re
fused to Leave Without an Encore.

After Ignace Paderewski had played a
lengthy programme most brilliantly at
the Columbia Theatre yesterday after
noon, the largely feminine audience abso-
lutely refused to bulge until the Polish
pianist had provided two encores, and
even after these added numbers there
were many hundreds of enthusiastic ad-
mirers of the musician who wanted him
to continue at the keyboaEi-probably
indefinitely. But Paderewski contented
himself with the pair of extra selections,
and the auditorium, which for nearly
three hours had been singularly silent,
except when the remarkably virtuosity
of the Pole had compelled frantic out
bursts OF applause, shrieks of shrill de-
light, mingled with the daintier and more
fashionable pity patting of glove-en-
cased hands and the cries Of bravo"
from the male portion of the assemblage,
was quickly filled with a babel of praises
and ordinations of rapturous delight
this latter chatter the contribution of the
bevies of school girls who crowded the
balcony, and who, freed from discipline
for the moment, were perfectly free to
rave over the Paderewski art just as
much as they pleased. And, to the credit
of the misses, it should be said that they
pleased a good deal.
Back on the stage Paderewsh ran his
hands through that wonderful mop of
lustreless straw colored hair of his few
times, pressed a hand to his head a
moment as he complained of a slight
headache, and reminded his wife, who
had just come from a box, of a dinner
engagement, and then requested his valet
to see that his carriage be not delayed.
Fancy Paderewski being hungry or
caring to dine. Only a moment before
pink checked school miss had declared
that he was an angel-and love of an
angel at that,
A Representative Gathering.
All Washington seemed to be at the
Columbia, either possessed of tickets of
admission or else clamoring for the COW
eted bits of pasteboard.
The seating capacity was readily filled
and the theatre management discontinued
the sale of standing room privileges. Dis
appointed femininity freely offered in
numerous instances S. for seat-no par
ticular location was specified. Many Of
fered to go TO neighboring shops and buy
camp stools. to be placed in the aisles
and corners of the theatre. but the man
agement resolutely refused 10, pack any
more humanity into the house
Society was largely represented. There
was brilliant display of afternoon gowns
and early Lenten millinery. In the lower
boxes were Lord Pauncefote and some
friends, and in an adjoining box were the
Hon. Audrey Pauncefote and half dozen
friends. Across the theatre Mrs Stilson
Hutchins and party occupied a box
Almost every local musician of any
prominence whatever was in the gather
ing, the upper gallery being almost popu-
lated by persons who appreciated most
keenly the marvellous playing of Pade-
rewski. A similar audience has not been
seen within local theatre in many years.
1t was a high tribute to the musicianIy
skill of the Pole.
Paderewski, since his last visit 10 the
Capital, has not changed much in the
matter of personal appearance. The ia
nous Paderewsh head of hair remains to
make the irreverent wonder why mu-
stefan may not be truly great-great as
is Paderewski-and at the same time
not display any of the hirsute peculiar
tiles, without which Art never seems to
thrive. Paderewski is more inclined to
cmtonpeint than ever before. and he goes
in for the uncanny, too, more than he
ever did. His keeping the theatre in a
demi-lght, and his little trick of playing
with his eyes half closed, and occasional
ly turning around and taking a sweep
ing glance at the audience-all this is
theatric and effective and gives the i'm
aginative the impression of a huge feline
purring over the instrument.
The programme was a well diversified
one, and gave Paderewski ample oppor-