Studied with A. Bournonville and succeeded
Grahn as ballerina of the Royal Danish Ballet.
Referred to by Johansson in his letter.
My good M. Bournonville !
As a most pleasant surprise I have received your communication of 27th
May, and ask forgiveness for not having answered same; but my request for
permission of leave was not decided until yesterday, and as I did not know
for certain what was going to happen I have not been able to write.
It has been impossible to obtain the permission of the directors to depart
until the great piece "Christina" has been performed and on which occasions
I will be dancing. Next week the said piece will be performed for the last
time and I will immediately get on my way in order to reach Copenhagen
17th or 18th.
I hope you do not have any doubts about
my sincere gratitude for your good disposition to allow me to partake
in those representations which are to be given in honour of the Russian
Heir. Without this kindness I would impossibly have been able to leave
Stockholm this year for lack of funds; but as I now possess the certain
knowledge that through your tender concern I will be defrayed for my journey
and my stay in Copenhagen I take this opportunity to convey with
my sincerest devotion the joy of seeing you again and once more be able
to enjoy your benevolent and masterly tuition.
Be so kind as to consider those pas which are to be given to me, I will make an effort to understand them quickly. The Grand Duke accompanied by the Crown Prince are supposed to spend Midsummer Day in Gothenburg, thus he is not to be expected in Copenhagen until 26th. Please receive my warm gratitude until I verbally will be able to explain the feelings I have and Remain my good teacher.
Your devoted friend and pupil.
Don't mention to anybody that I am coming, I want to surprise my friends.
My dear M. Bournonville!!
It caused me much pain that I should be absent when
you left Copenhagen; but I know that I will be excused, as it was your
courtesy towards me which was the reason. As you had been so kind as to
get me an admission to the dress rehearsal I did not want to miss it. I
went in the safe knowledge that you would not leave until 8 o'clock, which
the girls had told me at 6 o'clock, (which went very well) was over and
I hurried home to complete my letter to my friend Hoppe ; but how sad and
surprised I became when I heard that several persons had been looking for
me to tell me that you had departed at 6 o'clock - some minutes before
I arrived. I hurried because maybe I would yet be able to encounter
you, but you were already gone. You can probably imagine how much pain
it caused me not to be able to bid you farewell, as you know that I will
not have the pleasure of seeing you; because I must leave Copenhagen before
your return. Thus I have to content myself with your greeting.
Andreas Fussel brought me your best wishes, I thank you from
the heart and he instructed me that you had spoken to those concerned
about the fee which I would be paid and that it was decided in my favour,
and that I immediately should write to you in case anything would be a
miss. The hour has now come and how ever much I dislike to write to you
about this matter I am now forced to do so. In truth I did not expect that
the Board would have acted in such a manner, thus I am forced to
take this step - but beggars are not choosers - to the point - yesterday
afternoon when we had finished class, we were informed that the gratuities
were due ; I presently went to the office but nobody was there and I was
really bewildered and saddened when I saw that the Board had allotted me
10 thaler banco. I immediately asked the accountant if nothing more had
been allotted to me, whereupon the answer was : no. In any case I received
the said douceur, signed, bowed and left ; but all this not in the best
of moods. It has never occurred to me that the Board
would not behave more decently towards me, and even less so when it was
partly their wish that I should return in order to assist in the ballet,
the Board had surely not considered that I traveled here from Stockholm
and then had to get back. I traveled in the hope of getting a douceur which
would almost cover my trip ; but unfortunately I received only the above
mentioned coins. My dear M. Bournonville, you understand now in which an
unpleasant predicament I am and I am sure that you realize that the Board
has not considered their conduct. I pray and hope that you are as always
kind and immediately communicate with the Board to explain my position.
They ought to realize that I could not have funds to travel here, to no
avail, as they knew that I would not be able to take class with you, but
only to dance on a single occasion as the Excellence Holstein is not in
town and is not supposed to return until the middle of August, so the best
thing to do would be if you M. Bournonville would write to the etats-councillor
as it in any case is he who conducts the whole finance. And I hope that
you and your solicitude for me will do the trick.
Your wife and the rest of the family asked me to send you their
warmest regards. They are all well. The little Auguste is growing. Mme
Bournonville asked me to tell you that she has received the travel grant
and that it consisted of 200 specier. We are very industrious in school,
we work every day. I have recently had communications from Stockholm and
I can tell you that there has been more rioting because of the sentence
given to Crusenstolpe; but this time it was very harsh. A mob collected
outside the Town Hall in the night before the morning when C. would be
brought to the fortress, there were also several of the upper classes who
wanted to wave him good-bye. Colonel Lovisin and major Dävel
endeavoured to disperse the crowd, which succeeded but in the small hours
it congregated again, some sailors are supposed to have started smashing
some panes (windows), the rest followed their example and within a short
time almost all the panes in the neighborhood were smashed. Now the
main guard charged and an order was given that if the crowd did not disperse
they would be fired at. Whereupon the crowd started cheering and pelted
the soldiers with stones. The soldiers fired, now the mob became furious
and started storming the guard; which had to retreat. However, more soldiers
arrived, the skirmish continued for a good while. Many are supposed to
have been shot dead and many injured - one does not know exactly how many
were killed. It is horrible that one must take such tough measures.
|
Augusta Nielsen, born 1822, died 1902.
Studied with A. Bournonville and succeeded Grahn as ballerina of the Royal Danish Ballet. Referred to by Johansson in his letter. |
The girls Fjeldsted and Augusta and Brodersen send regards
to their teacher and friend. Fjeldsted has been employed as dancer,
I think a hundred thaler bonus. Augusta has received 70. Rinda has been
employed in the corps de ballet and has got a bonus so now she receives
200 all told. Please convey my sincerest regards to Hoppe, I suppose
he has performed in those six performances.
Farewell dear M. Bournonville, may God
protect you!
With true devotion and friendship your sincere friend and pupil.
P.C. Johansson. Back
Beloved Teacher!
Happy and contented I am sitting once more in my old home thinking
of my dear friends in Denmark, and those happy bygone days, yes, with sincere
gratitude I shall always remember those friends who showed me so
much warmth and friendliness. - - My journey went very well, the
whole time the weather was pleasant when I left Copenhagen we could not
because of the winds reach Malmö, but went to Landskrona, then I took
the road to Malmö. Sunday at eleven a.m. I arrived, after two days
of traveling from Ystad to Stockholm. Many of the passengers were
seasick on this tour, especially the ladies, but I fared very well, if
I may say so myself, I had the good fortune not to feel anything. Soon
after my arrival I presented myself to the Board of Directors, the conductor
etc.
The Board did not say a word because I had been absent longer than my leave allowed me to, on the contrary they were very amiable and kind.
Lieut. Col. Backman said that he had been worried about
me, he had thought that our Johansson somehow had been taken ill, as he
had not heard from me. It looks like Backman is full of concern for me
; but I know him, he does not mean much by what he says. His lips speak
what his heart does not feel. However, politeness is good enough for me.
I have already appeared since arriving home.
It was last Saturday. I danced the pas from " La Muette" in Selinders
masquerade-divertissement which was given after " The Sons of King Eduard".
As it was a French spectacle the day before and it would be the same the
following day, there was not a numerous audience, nevertheless I received
a great proof of their benevolence towards me, because as soon as
I made my entree , I was met by a strong applaudissement, and moreover
I was very much applauded for my pas, which went very well for me. M.Bournonville,
you must believe me, I was so happy and satisfied with this evening.
M. Selinder did not dance this evening, he was so clever,
that he took a day off. Towards the end of this week "The Homecoming" will
surely be performed. The Frenchmen, who are soon leaving have made furore
here. They have performed very frequently, 4 a 5 times a week. They have
had much more success than in Copenhagen, several of the sujets like Mlle.
Edelin, Mme. Brice and Fransisque have always been very well received.
The best seats are always occupied and Royalty attend unusually frequently
at their representations. They are very pleased with their sejour
here and quite delighted with the benevolence with which they are treated
everywhere. Most of them say that nowhere have they found such politeness
as here and they wish that they could remain all winter. Yes, they are
really being idolized. When they arrived here the Lieut. Col. Himself
received them, and brought them to his home, (For the ladies carriages
had been prepared) where he treated them to a breakfast - whereupon he
brought them all to their logement and invited them to a grand dinner at
Hotel du Nord. The French minister Mornay has also given a dinner and Mme.
Högquist [unreadable word] which lasted until midnight. Delcou, in
order to show his politeness again, the other day had a grand soupe´
to which were invited: the French minister, the English charge 'affaires,
all the directors of the theater and the highest officials, and several
high ranking officers. I have conveyed the regards from Mme.Beller or rather
from the whole family to Mlle. Edelin and also spoken to her (a little)
a few times, one is so delighted with her, she is a divine person.
Yesterday afternoon she came and thanked me in the most gracious
way for my dancing. Should I not be proud? - What ? On 25th they will perform
for the last time and on 26th they will be leaving. It will feel
very desolate after their departure. There has been much life in the theater.
I suppose, for the next fortnight we will play to an empty house.
Farewell my good M. Bournonville convey my sincerest
greetings to the family and your parents.
I end with the sincerest wish ever to be included in your friendship
and benevolence.
Your eternally devoted friend
and eleve.
P.C. Johansson.
Back
Beloved Teacher and Friend!
If I did not know your noble character and the goodness you feel for me, I would fear that you would consider me ungrateful and forgetful of my duties because I have not written to you for such a long time; but I know that you will never doubt my sincere devotion and eternal gratitude - and this consoles me.
We have now entered into a new year; with all my heart I wish that during its course and for ever more, the heaven may remove all sorrows from you and make you as happy as your good heart deserves.
The reason for my silence has, in truth, been that I have not had anything of interest to tell you. Our theater but especially the ballet is in a real lethargy. How sad it is for me, who is young, diminished into a nonentity; often I feel that I am both dead and buried, but at the thought of Copenhagen I revive; then I want to get out into the world, then I long to be back with you who induced such a high regard and love for the art and esteem for those who practise it.
Our ballet, as I mentioned, is in the doldrums, but will surely awake with the start; hark at this, M. Selinder is composing a great ballet which is to be named: "Alfhild" or "The Lyre of the Elf Queen". In three acts. If only this venture would fare better than his last ballet "Bachan and the slave girl", it died the death the third time it was performed and then went to rest forever. Our repetiteur and intimate friend of Selinder, Swartz, has written the program and arranged all of the music, it portrays Sweden in about the 11th century. Lately Selinder has been working both morning and noon on this ballet - the question is if it could be given 28th inst. The name day of the King. I have heard that I will play the role of a peasant and dance a pas and a solo, but yet I have not been called to any rehearsals. I wonder how it will work out in case I have any pantomime, how he is going to teach me, because he is so bloodily ashamed in my presence.
Selinder has danced ten times since 15th August when the
season started, there was though a period of almost three months when he
did not do duty at all. Silfverberg has only danced 7 times and I no more
than 15 times. No other ballet than "The Homecoming" has been given. I
have been told that Backman will be going to Paris for the summer to get
me a danseuse. If this is true, I do not know, I was told the same yesteryear
- however everybody deplores me who must dance with two such lightweight
sylphides or sacks of wool as Daguin and Fägerstedt. The
Directors told me some time ago that Grahn had written to them and
requested coming here to dance in May; she intended to go by Lubeck to
Paris; but as she can get what she wants to show her great talent, the
inhabitants of Stockholm will not get the honour of seeing her. She
asked for, not more and not less than five hundred banco for each
performance.
 |
Lucile Grahn, 1819-1907. Danish ballerina. |
I have heard from another source that the directors have written to her but she has not replied. In any case Grahns pretensions are not small. She is as usual I suppose. As I am talking about her I want to mention that she has had very bad press in the Swedish papers. What happened was that a man by the name of Rosen who is supposed to have been an editor and who for a while has been in the debtors jail, now is in Copenhagen from where he sends articles to the editor of the "Dagligt Allehanda" (Daily News) and these are often published. In these articles he writes about everything that is being given at the Royal Danish Theater and he criticizes it all. He has the idea, and in every article he bubbles about that our theater has it all, not only as far as tragedy and opera go, but also regarding ballet and it has as many resources as the Danish one has. All these articles are written in a stilted and stupid manner, and betrays the truth that Mr Rosen is not very well versed in the art of the theater. Amongst other things he says about Grahn that she can not walk - she makes, he says, a lot of spasmodical movements and stupid entrechats, so it looks like these were caused by mosquito bites - that she in an unnatural way twists here mouth so that her teeth should be seen as often as possible - that she has not got a trace of grace and talent for miming, everybody says she has - that she walks on points from one end of the theater to the other so that no land surveyor would ever accuse her of not making a straight line - that she with her legs can perform an open angle of many degrees, also that, if it were to be a celebration for the count Jaques Panqraces von Himmel und Erde return to his country seat, than one ought to, in the making of the triumphal arch rather choose Danish than Swedish danseuses etc. etc. at the next opportunity I will send you some of these articles. The Direction has lately been rather entrepenant, it has presented some pieces which have done the trick, viz. "The Dangerous Hag" and "The Debutante and her Father", translation of those works the Frenchmen performed.
Last Thursday a new piece was performed, "Griselda" which
had success, but I do not think it will remain in the repertoire. However,
it is not only these pieces which at the present moment have helped the
finance of the theater and drawn the public into the unpopulated wasteland
of the auditorium. No - the old man Hjortsberg, the veteran of the
Swedish stage; a new singer by the name of Gynther and Mlle Lind
must have contributed greatly. Hjortsberg once again appeared on stage
- The jew in "The Jew", Orgon in "Tartuffe" and Count Klingsberg in "The
Counts Klingsberg" have hitherto been the parts in which he has performed,
next time it will be Muller in "Cabal and Love".
It has been sold out every time he has appeared and his return has
been received with great joy.
Julius Gynther from Gothenburg, 21 years of age, has made his
debut and had great success, he has a pure, beautiful and supple tenor.
He has such beautiful transition between the notes.
He appeared in "Fra Diavolo" as Fra Diavolo and made furore. He possesses
the greatest liveliness on stage, is free and unforced, he will surely
be a very good actor. Lately he has had great success in the role
of Tamino in "The Magic Flute" - next he will sing the role of George in
"The White Lady". A short time ago a new opera was performed: "Eurianthe"
by Weber, it was performed four times and that was that. It had been rehearsed
for a very long time; so the sujets were quite exhausted.
Mlle. Lind brought the house down; but otherwise the opera was a flop. Everywhere in Germany where it has been performed it has not been liked - yet our three wise men chose it. The music is supposed to be so dreadfully difficult and complicated that nobody understands it. I performed my pas de trois from "Waldemar" in it, It has served me wonderfully well and this is one of the pas which has won me most acclaim - last Wednesday and Sunday I danced the same pas in "Fra Diavolo". Selinder has also danced (in the same opera) before, but now Backman said that he did not want to see those boring pas of Selinders. Mlle. Högquist, who is always in luck, has had one of the most spectacular New Year gifts one could imagine, that is to say, a winning ticket in the Lubeck Lottery of 20.000 thaler banco.
I would be damned! Damn luck that often pays a visit to the wrong person. She can sing with Figaro in the duet in The Barber: "Lady Luck is so good to me" This money will not last long if no sensible person advises her to invest it - she squanders terribly.
Be pleased to convey my sincerest regards to your wife and the whole family, your Monsieur father and Madame mother.
May I always be included in your friendship.
Goodbye, my good M. Bournonville! With devotion and sincere gratitude
I remain your ever sincere friend and eleve.
P.C. Johansson.