A Doll's House Play by Henrik Ibsen |
Harry Kendall Thaw This unstable young Pittsburgh millionaire married Evelyn Nesbit, a Floradora Girl. Eventually he learned that she had been used as an object of pleasure by the architect Stanford White and his rich friends. On June 24, 1906 Thaw shot and killed White in White's own Madison Square Garden. The resulting "Trial of the Century" had the last juror selected on Feb 1, 1907, the day this letter arrived. How did Lillie Sang-Collins know Thaw??
For one recounting, read E. L. Doctorow's Ragtime. For another pick up this 1955 movie at Blockbuster:
|
New Topic Identification |
Sat Jan 26
Rose and I cleaned house all morning. Was to go to Synagogue again but snow prevented - also again. After luncheon Chas. and I started to go skating but learned that the ice was not cleared off. Went to the library instead, and stayed till very late, reading "The Shuttle'', a powerful story, dealing with international marriage. I have rather suspected that English men (or English Poles, for that matter) could be brutes. Now I am sure of it! In the evening, Rose and I sat, like two Cinderellas, watching Mila dress for the Sl. All. Ball It proved a huge success and Rose and I cannot cease lamenting that we did not go. But one takes such a frightful risk in going to Bohem. dances!
Sun Jan 27
Mother was so well yesterday that I simply felt joyful! If she could only remain so, what heaven home could be! She really joked and scolded and was even saucy; today she started bravely, but went to bed for a while before dinner. Dr. Parks gave another sizzling sermon, on "Salome'' this time, and graciously invited those who had witnessed it to come to confessional. Pauvre Leopold! In the evening, I went to Metr. Concert. Mr. Weil gave me a box seat and he and Mr. Bull were very amiable. Sat with Mrs. Kellogg and Miss McGrew. Cavalieri sang the "Boh\`{e}me'' air well, but oh! so affected. She is a circus to watch.
Mon Jan 28
Mother in bed again and I did nothing all morning but piano and harmony. Had an int. har. lesson, for Mr. Cressman is well again, and tried to pass the S.S. test and failed. Diable! Read a French book till 4 and then had a singing lesson, but as I was out of practice, it took me 25 min to warm up and then the lesson was over. A half hour is so short. In the evening, I heard Melba and Bonci in "Lucia''. Such singing! I have never heard the like! It was a feast of exquisite song. Melba is a singing lesson in herself, and the ease (she scarcely opens her mouth) with which she sings proves that any exaggeration is unnecessary. One may never attain such freedom, but at least one can keep it in mind as the goal.
Tues Jan 29
Krehbiel lecture on Rheingold and Ital at 1:30. Both were quite interesting. Saw Mrs. C. only for a moment. Hurried home to practice, trying to keep Melba's ease in mind and it helped me. I took the C at the end of "Un a voce'' although I had a cold. I haven't the least idea of how I did it. Singing is so entirely a matter of spirits. In the evening, an interesting rehearsal on the Bach "Passion''.
Leopold was quite gorgeous in his Tuxedo, and rode home with the girls in the cars. Oh why was I not there?
Wed Jan 30
An awful beginning to the day for Mama was ill and I got so wrought up that I cried most of the morning. In that state of mind I went to Mrs. C.'s for a lesson. She felt miserably too, so we were in a very congenial mood. It took a long time to get warmed up but at the end I did some good work on "Rejoice''. After a dictation lesson at Inst. walked up to see Nazimova in "Doll's House''. She is a really wonderful actress and a most unique personality. The character development which she made you feel as the marvelously constructed play progressed was more a matter of suggestion than of actual representation. Her scene with the children was full of abandon, and the last scene she did not act, she lived the part. Her voice was pitched very high but that was probably assumed for the part.
Thurs Jan 31
Spent a morning in splendid practice on the high notes. Also on piano practice for which somehow I never seem to find time. Had a fairly good lesson with Miss Thursby, altho' I was a little tired from so much work in the morning. But this is really the first day I have been able to do the runs in "Verdure Clad'' straight up to the B$\flat$ without a break. It is entirely a matter of courage with me. Had tea after with Mrs. C. but did not stay long as she was tired and wanted to practice. Besides Mr. Damr. is to hear us next Monday.
Fri Feb 1
Practised a little and had a piano lesson at 10. It started fairly well but Mrs. C. happened to open a letter from H.K. Th. That was all the signature but she felt sure it was from Thaw and it upset her very much. Heard another fine Tapper lecture and then home to practise. Had planned going to Miss Th.'s and Dr. Park's receptions, but the weather was so awful that I decided to stay at home. This was the third time the weather has kept me from Miss Thursby's. In the evening, rehearsal at church. Miss Taplin has begun to study with Miss Thursby and says that the latter is proud of my improvement. She is certainly sweet to me.
