Imperial Dancer by Coryne Hall

[LisaDavidson]

I have heard from writer Coryne Hall, author of "Little Mother of Russia", who tells me she is hard at work on her next book, entitled "Imperial Dancer: Mathilde Kschessinska and the Romanovs". Coryne says she loves reading this Forum, so I told her I would let all of you know how much she enjoys reading what we write! I would imagine her book will be coming out next year.

[Belochka]

Thanks for this welcome news Lisa!

I look forward to Hall's new work.

It was very difficult to rely on Kschessinska's memoirs (Dancing in Petersburg). Too many events were glossed over in her personal account. M. K. always presented herself as an unrealistic glowing light.

A fresh re-appraisal is long overdue!

[Greg_King]

I agree, Belochka.  I spent 4-5 months seriously research MK for an "Atlantis" article we published, and my perception of her did a complete turn-around in the process.  Her own memoirs-and those of one or two others who encountered her-are virtually the ONLY materials that present her in a positive light-almost everyone else who knew her disliked her intensely, or recalled her sordid reputation.  I worked from some obscure Russian books and a couple of archival sources, but obviously didn't put in the necessary time to really give it a go, so it will be extremely interesting to see what Coryne is able to uncover and how she lays it all out-whether it follows MK's own version of events or probes deeper into her particularly nasty character.

Greg King

[ChristineM]

Dear Greg

In your researches did you come across a particularly unkind reference to Mathilde which identified her as 'that black-eyed, she-devil of the Ballet'?

I was in touch with a Mathilde afficienado some years ago.   He had a marvellous collection of her (and her father's) costumes which he permitted me to touch.   There were other clothes including tiny little hats and a black reticule.   He had dozens of photographs - he kindly gave me a few.   He also had a large collection of billboards and reviews of her performances from all over Europe.

The item which touched me most was a book.   He had discovered this book - falling to pieces its spine broken and covers battered.   He spent years reconstructing it.   I saw it shortly after completion.   His was a completely sympathetic restoration.   The book was entitled - 'The Complete Works of Lermontov'.   This had been presented to Mathilde by Tsar Alexander III on the occasion of her graduation from the Imperial Ballet school - the day of her fateful meeting with the tsarevich - Nicholas Alexandrovich.

tsaria

ps:  Lermontov was of a Scottish background - this gives me particular satisfaction.

[Greg_King]

Dear Greg

In your researches did you come across a particularly unkind reference to Mathilde which identified her as 'that black-eyed, she-devil of the Ballet'?

Close.  My favorite-and most revealing quote about her-comes from Vladimir Teliakovsky, Director of the Imperial Theaters.  He termed her “a morally impudent, cynical and brazen woman of black character, living simultaneously with two Grand Dukes, and not only not concealing the fact, but on the contrary, weaving this ‘art’ into her stinking, cynical wreath of human offal and vice."

God, I love that quote!

Greg King

[Belochka]

Ah such poetic wisdom contrasts so vividly against K's pirouettes!

[rskkiya]

Hello
Well what little ( :(miniscule references ) I have read about MK were from her own perspective and they were rather self effacing & benign --though its rare for anyone to justly judge their previous behaviour or actions without  some prejudice or bias.

R.

[Belochka]

Hi rskkiya,

Fundamentally few memoirists are able to present reasonably accurate portrayals about themselves. They have the unfortunate tendancy to either ignore or embellish many facts to temper their involvement, especially if the event is particularily contentious.

To be fair few of us would be willing to describe many of our faults.

The few references I have come across about M. K. have not been particularily favorable either.

Personally I find it more appealing to read other people's impressions who knew K.  to help me find some balance between all the published biographies.

[Eurohistory]

Coryne is finished with the text of the books.  I have sent her quite a few photos to use in the illustrations section and am very much looking forward to seeing the final product.

Arturo Beéche

[Jane]

He termed her “a morally impudent, cynical and brazen woman of black character, living simultaneously with two Grand Dukes, and not only not concealing the fact, but on the contrary, weaving this ‘art’ into her stinking, cynical wreath of human offal and vice."

Ouch.  

[Robert_Hall]

Sounds like  my kind of fun party gal !

[rskkiya]

All Hail the Party God Robert Hall!

More incence...your divinity? LOL

Rskkiya

[Eurohistory]

And of course Russian Grand Dukes were such paragons of edifying moral virtue...

Arturo Beéche

[Jane]

I was trying to be flippant, but I don't think it worked.  My goodness, Teliakovsky makes MK (sorry, can't be bothered to spell her name out) sound like Agrippina or Messalina.  Certainly the Grand Dukes who were involved with her would disagree--I doubt that they were helpless flies caught in her web.  

[Janet_W.]

I know we've discussed Mathilde on another thread, and I was rather dismayed by what I read about her, having only read her own words which of course painted her in an attractive light.

Still, I would like to think that she was a pleasant enough of a mistress for Nicholas, and that their relationship demeaned neither person.

Perhaps, as time went on and Mathilde realized she was to be passed from one man to another, she developed an especially avaricious character. Given that she had a profession other than courtesan, however, and was recognized as being one of the very best dancers in what was considered the ballet capitol of the world, I question why she felt it necessarily to be so greedy and duplicitous.