The San Francisco call., 1905-04-10
Marvellous Juggler
Makes Bow at
Orpheum.
Miss Calhoun Soon
to Appear in
This City.

After all, the test of "Florodora lies
In the rendition of the double sextet,
Tell Me, Pretty Maiden" If this is
well done the pretty comic opera is a
success; If poorly done. it is failure.
And "Florodora," on this week at the
Tivoli, is a success. This means that
the double sextet is cleverly done.
The piece opened at the Tivoh last
night. The big theater was crowded
from orchestra to gallery. an evidence
that the popularity of "F1orodora" has
not departed, and those that went en-
joyed full measure of entertainment.
More statuesque maidens never sang
the double sextet song before. and the
voices and appearance of the gentle
strangers were well in keeping.
Gowned in imperial yellow, with picture
hats of black, the maidens lent a flash
of color to a scene that leaves naught
but pleasant memories.
And the incongruity of the plot of the
piece is forgotten in the delight that
comes with the artistic rendition of the
songs scattered through its length that
have become melodies of the home.
THE Queen of the Philippine Islands"
sung by Aida Hen1mi, who took the
part of Dolores, was well received, and
Grace Palotta won much favorable
comment by the manner in which she
handled the songs When l Leave
Town" and Tact admitted by sing
ers to be exceedingly difficult.
Willard Simms assumed the role OF
Tweedlepunch, a character calling for
great versatility, and he was not want
ing in ability to develop its best fea-
lures Teddy Webb as Gilfain, pro-
prietor of the island and the perfume
of Florodora, carried out his part well.
The chorus generally is pretty and
well trained, and barring one or two
little slips, the inevitable experience Of
a first night, the piece went off well
and promises to be one of the sue
cesses of the Tivoli comic opera season.
pheum last night had the pleasure Of
witnessing a Juggling act by Paul Con-
chas that has never been equaled here
in its line. Conchas' speciality Is Jug
Cling cannon balls, big gun shells and
other warlike articles, whose weights
run into the hundreds Of pounds. His
work Is more than marvellous and he
winds up by catching volley of can
non balls on his neck He is assisted
by a queer looking individual, who
says never a word, but is nevertheless
funnier by far than many of the al
legged humorous ones that frequently
make their way to this town.
Winona Shannon and Frank G.
Campbell have a little sketch that is
worth going to see. Miss Shannon is as
tough a girl as ever essayed to play a
tough part. She says many clever
things and kept the house in an uproar
while she was on the stage. Jack Mason
and his society bellies made quite hit
and got the glad hand of welcome from
the crowd. George Boniface and Ber-
! tha Waltzinger, Cooper and Robinson,
Knight brothers and Miss Sawtelle and
Professor Rugg and his liquid air tests
are as interesting as they were last
week.
On March 30 last, at the old Camulos
ranch house, made famous by Helen
Hunt Jackson's beautiful story "Ra-
mona" Sonora Ysabel Varelo del Vale,
one of the few remaining representa-
tives of the old Spanish families Of
early days in California and widow Of
Don YgDacio del Vale, one of the
wealthiest and most prominent Of
Spaniards of his time, passed away.
Her life among the hills that she loved
so we'll, her devotion to her race, Of
which she was nearly the last resident,
was beautiful.
She it was that inspired the character
of Sonora Moreno in the beautiful story
of Ramona, which is to be presented
here by Miss Virginia Calhoun and
company at the Grand Operahouse.
beginning the week of April is. Sonora
del Vale, whose son, r. F. del Vale,
was the prototype of Felipe, another
strong character In the book and
dramatization, had never left the old
ranch house which had been her home
for many years.
Miss Calhoun, who is now appearing
with great success in her own dramati-
zation Of this well-known story In
Southern California, is Of the distin-
guished California family of Calhouns.
For the last few years she has been
appearing in England with signal sue
cess, and 1t looks now that in the
California drama she Is to achieve
much success.