St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-01-02

I performance l met her among COM
pany of Thespians in one of the leading
restaurants, and bad the pleasure to
enter into conversation with her on the
art of dancing. The very same even
ing had admired her in one of her best
representations as the
Dumb Girl Of Portici.
[ had never seen such acting without
words before, so graceful in every atti-
tude and gesture, so natural in every
change of facial expression, so express
sive in the representation of all human
sentiments and passions.
And do you really think that the
ballet could be elevated to an art of the
Importance of painting or music?"
asked.
She looked somewhat astonished at
me as she replied. Most assuredly it
could be done. A few days ago L read
book by Noverre. French ballet mas
ter of the last century, which had not
been read since Nap0leon's time. He
had put down the laws of his art as we'll
as Lessng did for the drama. And if
You think it over, you can not deny that
the human body is the nOblest creation
| of nature, and that dancing is the high
est expression of beauty which the
human body is able to perform"
felt the truth of her answer, and
hoping to hear still more of interest, |
told her that nearly every ballet | had
seen seemed to me ridiculous in its plot,
and requested her to tell me her idea
of the kind of plot good ballet should
have.
After few minutes thinking she
answered. that ballet should always
have simple poetic plot, passionate
but never tragic action. introducing as
many variations of national dances as
possible, because every one of them is
original and has its peculiar charm and
general interest. Il would do away
with the present style of walking on
the toes and the contortion of limbs,
and establish instead sort of
Delsartean Training.o
Then we came to talk about stage
managing as in connection with her art.
She wished that scenery and costumes
would always show perfect agreement
of cOlors. "The costume alone should
indicate the character of its wearer, who
should also consider the particular
place of action and the customs of the
country they are supposed to appear in.
Also the modern ballet costume should
be banished from the stage. 1t might
do for the cafes chantants out should
not be allowed in firSt-claSs theaters.
However, it seems to have become a
necessary evil, like the corset"
''Then you would advise the avoid
ance OF all unnecessary exposure of the
limbs?''
Yes, all unnecessary exposure, but
with taste and decorum the nude, or
limitations of the nude, might be freely
used. To take female dancers for male
parts is also bad taste. especially in ma
tional dances. always come back to
Them" she smilingly said; "they are
my favorites and it often angers me to
see them spoiled. How can woman
represent a Cossack or a Bavarian peas
ant? 1t is ridiculous.''
where did you study?'
"Oh, in many different places" and
she supped at glass of old Hungarian
wine. 1.-The standard schools did not
satisfy me. | studied nature, human
life. Besides the study of good paint
ings and the antique statues have been
a valuable assistance to me-"
"Could not the
Groupings and Evolutions
of the corps de ballet be more effectu-
ally arranged? They always look so
stiff and unnatural to me.''
Certainly, but the combination and
arrangementof evolutions and tableaux
is hard task for every balIet-master.