DEATH OF SARAH BERNHARDT

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 163, 28 March 1923, Page 7

DEATH OF SARAH BERNHARDT

A POPULAR IDOL PASSES NEWS CREATES A DEEP SENSATION By Telegraph.—Press Association. —COPYRIGHT. (Rec. March 27, 7.20 p.m.) Paris, March* 26. The death has occurred of Mme. Sarah Bernhardt, tho great actress. “How. slow is my death agony.” These words were uttered by her with a cheerfulness born of tremendous vitality as sho lay sinking to-day. Later, in spasmodic delirium, those around her bedside heard her enact again some of hor most famous roles in “L’Aiglon.” “La Dame aux Gamelias,” and “Phedre.” In lucid intervals she gave directions for her funoral, insisting on tho use of a rosewood coffin which had been in the house for thirty years, also minute instructions for the number and variety of flowers to be placed on the coffin.

Enormous crowds, including famous actors, actresses, and dramatists, stood all day long in the vicinity of her home. When they saw tho window of her room gently closed they knew that their great idol had passed away. Men bared their heads, and women dropped to their knees. Sobbing was heard everywhere when the. doctors announced to the throng that Mme.- Bernhardt had passed away quietly in tho arms of her son, while the remainder of the family stood at the bedside. She had been in agony all day long, and although her death was expected the news created a deep sensation. All the most distinguished personages in Paris called at the house and signed tho visiters’ book. Mme. Bernhardt showed the liveliest interest in affairs right to tho end, and was quite conscious of happenings around her. The doctors in attendance were amazed, and declared that never in medical history had a woman nearing 80 years of age, with a career which had drawn, so much upon her mental and physical forces, survived for so long a disease which had drained- her strength.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable' Assn.

THE QUEEN. OF TRAGEDY

Rosine Sarah Bernhardt, the greatest of modern actresses, was born iu Paris in 1844, and was educated at the Convent de Grandchamps, Versailles. She made her debut at the Comedic Francaise as Iphigenie in 1862, and afterwards appeared' at the Gymnase and Porte St? Martin Theatres, and at tho Odeon in 1864. She returned to the great French national theatre in 1872, and became so, distinguished, in her art that she was nominated societairo in 1875. On leaving, tho Comedic Francaise in 1880 she was compelled to pay £4OOO damages, to that institution;' her object in leaving that theatre being, to tour America. She first visited London in 1879 as a mombdr of tho Comodio Francaise Company, and the year following toured the United States with the greatest success. She returned to Pans in 1881, and assumed the directorship of the Ambigu Theatre, but two years later purchased tho Porte St. . Martin Theatre, where she appeared in numerous new roles. In 1886 she again visited London and America, afterwards returning to her own theatre in Paris, where she remained until 1893, in which year she was appointed director of the Theatre Renaissance. In 1893 she purchased the old Theatre de Nations, which she rebuilt and opened as the Theatrft Sarah Bernhardt. She visited Australia in the early ’9o’s, repeating tho . magnetic performances that had made her the world’s Queen of Tragedy. Hers was an art supreme above all other actresses,- pregnant with subtle power and dramatic grace, slaughtering her enemies with a lightning glance and melting divinely in the lover’s mood. She acted everything in French, yet was understood by all, so perfect was her manner of "suiting the action to the word and the word to the action.” England, America, and Australia have acclaimed her with enthusiasm as heartily as hor own “dear Parisians.” Madame Bernhardt, who married M. Damala in 1882, was also, a talented painter, sculptor, and writer, having written and produced a drama eptitled “L’Aven” at tho Odeon in 1888. She was also the author of the volume “Dans les Nuages,” and wrote her omi recollections for the “Strand Magazine.” Madame Bornhardt had all the freakishness of genius.. It Is related of her that at the end of an act she would often summon a cab and go for a drive of such duration that the audience wore frequently kept waiting long over tho ordinary time that should elapse. Many years ago she purchased a site for her grave in Paris, and a pretentious vault bearing a memorial stone has long, been standing as proof of her eccentricity.