Sarah Bernhardt in Les Bouffons, 1906.
Photo. Henri Manuel.]
We did not play in the Winter Palace, but gave a gala performance for their Imperial Majesties at the National Theatre. It was private, in that no seats were sold and could be obtained only through invitations sent out by the Court Chamberlain; but when we saw the vast throng crowding the theatre it looked as if all Russia was there. And all wealthy and titled Russia probably was, for we heard that special trains had been made up to bring “Sarah Bernhardt sightseers” from Moscow and other famous cities. We were not to visit Moscow on this trip.
I have heard many people say that anyone who has visited Russia can talk of nothing else and always longs to return there. I can testify that this is true in my case; and I know also that it was true in the case of Sarah Bernhardt who returned to Russia three times and always spoke of the land of the Tsars with the warmest affection and feeling.
I remember a gracious remark made by the Empress, a woman of no great stature and with evident marks of trouble on her sweet and modest face. When Sarah was presented and dropped her curtsey before her, she said:
“I think, my dear, that I should be the one to bow!”
I thought it one of the most exquisite tributes I had ever heard.
We played François Coppée’s Le Passant, La Dame aux Camélias, Hernani, and L’Aventurière. The Emperor chose Le Passant for the Command Performance, and Sarah greatly appreciated his choice.
“He must be a poet himself! He looks like one!” she said.