SARAH BERNHARDT

French actress. In the years 1872-1980 at the Comedie Francaise, in 1898-1922 he headed the Theatre Sarah Bernhardt (Paris). Played a tragic and melodramatic roles in the plays of Hugo, Dumas fils, Rostand, and others

Difficult in the annals of women's biographies to find more scandalous, more erratic than Sarah Bernhardt. She brought her "akterstvovanie" until its logical conclusion, not only on stage but in real life, performed the incredibly difficult role from beginning to end with such purity and perfection, with such an effort of will that just you wonder: what was more in this position - the natural inclination or acquired ambition or innate force build habits overwhelm everything around it. And though the actress herself in the memoirs of a sly, pretending to be "poor lamb," writes off unbelievable rumors about yourself to the "yellow" press and malicious journalists bribed by enemies, but none more than Sarah did not intentionally tried to surround their existence impenetrable cloud of rumors. A barely disguised fictional virtue, freedom of manners is all the more curious man in the street as "pink" innocent courtesan attracts more explicit vulgarity. Probably Sarah Bernhardt can be considered the first "star" of the scene that "made" a name for himself on the scandal.

It is hard to say what proportion of originality came directly from her nature, but the actress is very early to understand how profitable we can apply this same difference from anyone else. Even as a child Sarah had suffered bouts of wild anger, which she deftly explained the state of health. But it was violent seizures, a girl arranged periodically, allowed Sarah to pursue their cases have ever employed adults.

Photo — «Sarah Bernhardt»

Perhaps, bear Sara caring, moral parents - would have lost world of pleasure to behold a great artiste and delve into gossip about her, but, fortunately, views of society on the honesty never embodied verbatim.

Sarina's parents does not fit well into the usual paternalistic ideals. His mother, a Dutch Jewess Judith Hart, a biography of the great artist usually means, as a music teacher, but in reality it was a beautiful, high-level, elite kept woman, who by the nature of the activities prescribed in the first place to nurture his own person. Illegitimate daughter Sarah was born sickly, prone to tuberculosis, and even though Mom had for the fumes some sense, more sweetly warbler (this was the only name on which the responsive five-year Sarah) they are not stretched. The identity of the father of researchers at all in doubt. Usually called the father of actress engineer Edward Bernard, however, no rigorous evidence that there to this day.

Eventually, after several unsuccessful attempts to attach a daughter in the decent educational setting, the father allegedly (according to most of Sarah) came up to give the girl to boarding school at a monastery Grand Shang. Thus, in the biography of the great actress appeared the first page paradoxical that Sarah will then be happy to use - though she passionately wanted to become a nun, but the case is not allowed. Institution, to hit our heroine, was distinguished by humane methods, and caring for their pupils. Sisters Monastery replaced little Sarah nonexistent family. Recalcitrant painful girl truly loved and spoiled the prioress, mother of Sophia. However, this good woman is hard to restrain the unbridled fury Sarin, from time to time made itself felt.

Photo — «Sarah Bernhardt»

Left Grand Shang Bernard with a scandal because of his stubbornness and a fantastic commitment to the calling public.

Sarah grabbed his boots soldier, threw his hat over the wall of the monastery, and climbed to a high playground, podraznivaya joker. Having enthusiasm "companions," Sarah realized that the game has gone away, only when she tried to pull the ladder by which climbed on the platform, but heavy wooden structure fell with a crash and fractured. As a result, the girl was cut off from the ground. Considerable efforts violated the measured life of the monastery. After this adventure Sarah became ill, and, moreover, was clearly visible to all the inappropriateness of stay "sort of beast" among the handsome nuns, and she went home.

Further its fate was determined by the family council. Since the rich heritage for Sarah is not expected, and marry a wealthy merchant's skin, according to the mother, was something shameful, and since Sarah was not destined to become a nun, the then-lover, Judith - the Comte de Morny, half brother of Napoleon III - decided that the girl should pay to the conservatory, the benefit of a high-ranking friend of the family bond was enough. What helped the count is right to determine the future of Sarah, now no one knows for sure, but probably not the last role was played by a fanatical self-love and inner freedom is a rare girl.

Having successfully passed the entrance exams, Sarah immediately attracted the attention of educators. At the annual competition of the Conservatory she won two awards - the second in a tragic role, and the first - for the comic. Unusually beautiful voice, plastic cat, expressive design - all these features were forced to examine a young actress, and soon Sarah was invited to play one-off performances in the most prestigious French theater Comedie Francaise.

Photo — «Sarah Bernhardt»

" However, going to the reception to the director to discuss his first contract, Sarah took with him his younger sister, who at that time was five years old. Girl, just as "well-bred," as Sarah in director's office began to climb on chairs, jumping over a stool, throw the paper out of trash. When my dear monsieur made the remark to his sister actress, a little queer girl, not a lot of hesitation, blurted out: "And as for you, sir, if you will bother me, I tell everybody that you're the master to give empty promises. This is my aunt says!"

Sarah almost had a stroke. She dragged along the corridor silly little sister, which a heart-rending howl, and the cab she began the terrible attack of anger, which nearly led to the murder hearted child. But despite the failure of the first negotiation, one year later, in 1862, Sarah Bernhardt successfully debuted at the Comedie Francaise in the role of Iphigenia in Racine's tragedy "Iphigenia at Aulis. " One critic, Francisco Sarse, subsequently, even famous for that first noticed the young talent, he predicted a bright future.

But in the famous theater of Sarah stayed for long. In the scandal that took place at this time, was again to blame for her little sister. Well, just a "bad angel" poor Sarah! Bernard told myself that on the birthday of Moliere (and the Comedie Francaise call home this great playwright), according to tradition, all artists of the theater came up with a greeting to a bust of his patron. The ceremony was reportedly little sister Sarah stepped on the train prima scene, the so-called "soseterki, Natalie. Old, angry, quarrelsome woman abruptly pushed culprit, and a girl, though, in the face bleed on the column.

Photo — «Sarah Bernhardt»

With a cry of: "The wicked creature!" - Bernard rushed for a colleague. Brawl took place in the apparent superiority of the forces in favor of youth. Sarah soon had to leave in disgrace famous stage. Agree, not too many scandals caused by poor little sister . . .

It seemed, after this discomfiture actress will not soon recover, but the next day after breaking a contract Sara visited the Theatre Gymnase, and was accepted into the troupe.

Came a difficult period in her life - like one on the other weekdays, rehearsals, readings of plays, mediocre performances. For the active nature of Sarah like the quiet and smooth surface became unbearable torture. No one wanted to recognize her brilliant actress, no one admired her, and in such circumstances it might fade like a flower without water. Frightened bleak prospects at the moment of despair Sarah decided to do business and for this to find a suitable sweet shop. Just irresistible boredom, which it wafted from the shelves, filled with roasted almonds, sweets and sweet pastries, restrained by Bernard rash step.

But would not she a great actress, if it had not been prone to unexpected, adventurous actions. After another very nasty view Sarah in high season secretly disappeared from Paris. She searched with police almost throughout France. And she went to Spain to eat there tangerines and relaxation. Provoking yet another scandal, our heroine with a light heart broke up with the hated theater and immediately received a new invitation to the Odeon.

It is this Imperial Theatre Bernard opened the path to glory. Sarah believed that the first scene of a happy rapture she felt on the stage of the Odeon, and the first delight of spectators from her pierced game was Hall of the Odeon.

Photo — «Sarah Bernhardt»

Sarah had many admirers, especially among students, it became popular, her love for the youth of courage and looseness, for the fact that the actress declared ideals of the new France. Sarah Bernhardt is an actress of the emerging Romantic movement in the theater. With its gorgeous and vehemence grab the viewer, it is - the divine symbol of romantic beauty of Rostand, Hugo, Dumas fils. One Russian critic compared the game with a lovely French actress statuettes, which are a pleasure to put on your fireplace.

Fond of luxury and pleasure of Sarah herself was that subject, which included a mandatory list of luxury secular entertainment. During the life of actress made herself an object of worship. Fascinated by Victor Hugo stood in front of Sarah Bernhardt on her knees on stage after the premiere of one of his tragedies. But not only exalted artists fell prostrate in front of an actress. Excitedly demonstrated his love for celebrities and the powerful. Sarah had a magical effect on men and women, and all the upper world adored her. The booklet "Love Sarah Bernhardt," it was a bold assumption that it lured all the heads of European states, including the Pope. Of course, this is the usual hyperbole, but there is evidence that she had indeed been a "special relationship" with the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII), and with Prince Napoleon, the nephew of Napoleon I, with whom she was introduced to George Sand. As for the other leaders, if it did not occupy their bed, then won their hearts. She showered with gifts Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria, King Alfonso of Spain and King Umberto of Italy. King Christian IX of Denmark has provided at its disposal a yacht, and Duke Frederick allow her to use his family castle.

Photo — «Sarah Bernhardt»

Maybe, objectively, Sarah Bernhardt was not the most talented actress of her time, but it became very bright person scenes of the era. Performance as Marguerite Gautier in "La Dame aux Camelias" by Alexandre Dumas fils led the audience in hysterical ecstasy. Hardly any of enthusiastic admirers thought of true art, rather a fanatical worship of "star" guesses normal instinct of the crowd, the desire to be part of "god. "

Sarah wanted to stand around. And the only thing that Bernard is really different from all - of their extraordinarily powerful energy. She could do one hundred things at once. Nobody knew where she was sleeping. Rostand well remembered about the actress: "Carried to the dark scene, animates his appearance a crowd of people yawning and languishing here in the shadows, walking, moving, all lights and everything he touches it, sits in front of prompter's box, starts to put the play shows gestures, intonation, jumped as if stung, requires repeated, growling with rage, sits down again drink tea begins to rehearse myself . . . "

One of the first celebrities Bernard realized that charity and compassion disadvantaged small proportion will give her name an additional flair. During the war of 1870 Artist of the remains besieged in Paris, and even like it (good, its name, operates smoothly and officials) in the theater "Odeon" hospital for the wounded. In this act, and Sarah was the desire to help, and an overwhelming ego.

In the hospital, to the actress, despite the martial law, "bursting" admirers. Bernard gladly signing autographs. Once she gave her photograph nineteen ardent young man, whose name was Ferdinand Foch.

In 1915 Sarah Bernhardt in a trip on the fronts of the First World was accompanied by Marshal Ferdinand Foch.

"Forgetting" about the contract with the Odeon, an artist, seduced by the astronomical fees, returns to the Comedie Francaise, where he successfully runs until 1880. Was not, probably not a day that the newspaper did not write about the next sensations associated with Sarah Bernhardt. That the actress will get Panther for personal use, "that" flies "in a balloon, then finally takes the interviewer, reclining in a coffin. On the last strange "stars" a lot of buzz. One zlopyhatelnits even claimed that Sarah prefers to make love in this funeral bed than go mad men. Itself is the culprit with childlike explained the existence of the coffin in his room tightness in square meters. Say, the sister died, and put the coffin was no - that "pushed" him to Sarin room. Well, with the patient in one bed, it is clear you will not sleep, that's a poor actress had to lay myself in a coffin. Sometimes, she rehearsed the role immediately. In general, anyone shocked Sarah did not want, simply trying to cash in on behalf of journalists have done such a prosaic fact downright sinister.

Finally, we quarrel with the management of the House of Moliere, in 1893, Bernard became the theater of Renaissance ", and in 1898 - Theatre du Chatelet Square, which was named" Theatre Sarah Bernhardt. "

This is a favorite child actress did not leave even before his death. Even when in 1914 she had a leg amputated, Sarah continued to play with the prosthesis. The spectacle is evidently appeared not for the faint hearted. Bernard always kichivshayasya its "skeletal thinness, sported a fragile figure, and used successfully to defuse the situation, fainting, in her old age put on weight, flabby, and health demonstrated by no means weak.

Photo — «Sarah Bernhardt»

She strongly despised pragmatic view that it was time to leave the scene, that nothing in it left from the old charm. She considered herself above the sympathetic whisper above the norm, above, finally, of nature itself. Sarah continued to play. Marina Tsvetaeva, who sought to Paris in early adolescence, to see firsthand the legendary Sarah was shocked. Bernard played in the "Orlyonok" Rostand role of twenty youths. The actress turned 65, she moved to the prosthesis. "Playing in an era of corsets on the baleen, stressing all the roundness of the female figure, twenty young man in skintight white uniform and the officer's breeches, no matter how grand it was a spectacle . . . unflinching old age, but it smacked of the grotesque and was also a kind of tomb, built by Sarah and Rostand, and rostanovskomu "Orlenko", as, indeed, a blind actor, and a monument to heroism. If there were still blind and the audience . . . " Tsvetaeva called this "egocentric courage. "

And yet she has made her - an inordinate ambition of an unprecedented power melted into a true confession. Sarah entered the history of theater in history as the greatest actress of the XIX century.