Russian Social Season????????

[James_Davidov]

Hey everyone,

I just have a quick question, I have read often of the 'social-season' in St Petersburg, and was wondering what time (generally speaking obviously) it was.  I know that modern social seasons go from New Years to Christmas, but I'm guessing that in St Petersburg, with the Summers spent in Crimea and certain religious festivals, which could have prohibted parties, it was more specific...

Any comments would be helpful,
Thanxs!
James

[Belochka]

St. Petersburg balls and masquerades were held during the cold winter months.

During fall and winter private gatherings for literature readings were organized in salons which were all the rage. They were held by friends of notable socialites, the cream of the literati and members of the intelligensia. Interestingly, it was usually at these occassions when one would use the Russian language.

During winter a favorite pastime was sleigh riding on the frozen Neva in front of the Winter Palace.  

[James_Davidov]

Hi, thanxs heaps for the info!

I also have another question related to the SP social season, I have a pritty famous photo (waay to big to post, even if I knew how) and its of a party held by a Countess Yeltzive (not sure about her name), Iv read about her though, she was an invalid and was into occult type stuff, anyway, she used to host a big ball called like 'the ball of the coloured wigs'?? > does anyone have more info on this, or other specific annual events held during the social season???

[Forum Admin]

There were several "seasons" socially speaking. The Winter Season in Petersburg was the most "socially important" and ended with Lent. When the Imperial Family would go to the Crimea, there would be another social "season" in Yalta as well. Remember, Olga's coming of age ball was a major event of the season that year, just as an example.

[James_Davidov]

Oh ok, thanxs for that... Your comment about Olga's coming-out ball reminds me of another question I had.
I think it was Olga's 16th, the descriptions of it at Livadia are beautiful, i think she wore a pink gown, and it was the first time she wore major jewels.  Well I was wondering if there were any photos of this event??  I have never seen any, or heard of any reference to them, but i fail to see why there wouldn't be, it was obviously a major thing, and the Romanov's so camera-happy.  I thought maybe they had been lost with the girls original decorated albums, however, when you look at the original photos of palace interiors,especially the AP, there are so many framed photo's hung on the walls, and you'd think that these would be framed too, and most of those important photos are the most common Romanov images, so where could these be

[Forum Admin]

None that we know of. First, it was at night, and in that era, interior and night photography required very bright and intrusive magnesium flash from powder which created smoke. Also, unlike today, photography during a formal, "private" affair was not considered polite or appropriate. Perhaps a formal portrait of Olga was taken just before the party, but we have never seen or heard of any pictures from that night.

[James_Davidov]

awwww:( to bad

[Belochka]

For those members of the nobility who lived in Tsarskoe Selo or remained in SPb, they would venture out to the park in Pavlosk. There during the summer season was a melange of pleasures.

Many fine operatic singers would perform there, such as Feodor Shalyapin or Leonid Sobinov. The musical tones of Pytor Tchaikovsky could also be heard. Sergei Prokofiev performed his First Piano Concerto there.

If this was boring, there were strolls and horse rides or the more demure carriage ride, It was a place where people courted each other or the park allowed relaxation in the warm summer sun.  

[olga]

I have a pritty famous photo (waay to big to post, even if I knew how) and its of a party held by a Countess Yeltzive (not sure about her name), Iv read about her though, she was an invalid and was into occult type stuff, anyway, she used to host a big ball called like 'the ball of the coloured wigs'??

Countess Yelizaveta Shuvalova?

[Belochka]

I also have another question related to the SP social season, I have a pritty famous photo (waay to big to post, even if I knew how) and its of a party held by a Countess Yeltzive (not sure about her name), Iv read about her though, she was an invalid and was into occult type stuff, anyway, she used to host a big ball called like 'the ball of the coloured wigs'?? > does anyone have more info on this, or other specific annual events held during the social season???

Hi James,

As soon as you mentioned the Wig Ball I remembered the very photograph to which you were refering. One appears in Ometev's book St Petersburg Portrait of an Imperial City @ p128.

The hostess was Countess Yelizaveta (Elizabeth) Shuvalova. That function was apparently one of the last important socials in that season because WWI was just around the corner, followed by the revolution. It was held in the Shuvalov residence located along the Fontanka Embankment.

[James_Davidov]

Yeh thats it!!!! Thanxs guys, I have have it in 'The Russian Century' - which is a really beautiful book for anyone interested in all of Russia in the last century...  

The photo is really powerful, not only does it give a rare glimpse into such a social event, its an informal photo too, it appears like someone has stood on maybe a chair and yelled at the guest's in the Ballroom to turn and smile...  But also because the majority of the officiers escorting the ladies, were about to face the horror of WWI in the following months.

It would be great if someone who had it could post it
thanxs
James

[hikaru]

Officially, Russian Social (Ball ) Season began from the
ball at Morskoy Corpus (Marine Officer School ) on 6th November.
Nikolay II , his family and grand aristocracy should participate in this.
This ball was considered as the opening of the social season.

(Sorry for My English)

[Johnny]

Hi James,

As soon as you mentioned the Wig Ball I remembered the very photograph to which you were refering. One appears in Ometev's book St Petersburg Portrait of an Imperial City @ p128.

The hostess was Countess Yelizaveta (Elizabeth) Shuvalova. That function was apparently one of the last important socials in that season because WWI was just around the corner, followed by the revolution. It was held in the Shuvalov residence located along the Fontanka Embankment.

Yelizaveta Shuvalova was known in the society as Betsy, and indeed it was her colored-wigs party.

[Belochka]

Officially, Russian Social (Ball ) Season began from the
ball at Morskoy Corpus (Marine Officer School ) on 6th November.

Presumably this was the Old Style calender?

[hikaru]

Yes, I think so