The Magnificent Montez: From Courtesan to ConvertWyndham, Horace
History
The Magnificent Montez: From Courtesan to Convert
Wyndham, Horace
Montez, Lola, 1818-1861
As he moved off, a bell tinkled in the prompt corner. In response, the
conductor lifted his baton; the heavy curtains were drawn aside; and,
under a cross-fire of opera glasses, Lola bounded on to the stage and
executed her initial piroutte. There was a sudden hush, as, at the
finish of the number, she stepped up to the footlights and awaited the
verdict. Had she made good, or not? In a moment, however, she knew
that all was well, for a storm of applause and clapping of hands
filled the air. Lumley, from his place in the wings, beamed approval.
His enterprise was to be rewarded. The debutante was a success. No
doubt about it. She should have a contract from him before any other
manager should step in and snap her up.
We do not believe (scribbled a critic, hurriedly jotting
down his impressions, to be expanded when he got back to his
office) that Donna Lola smiled once throughout her
performance. As she withdrew, numbers of bouquets fell on to
the stage. But the proud one of Seville did not deign to
return to pick them up, and one of the gentlemen in livery
was deputed for that purpose. When, however, her measure was
encored, she stepped down from her pinnacle and actually
condescended to accept an additional bouquet that had been
tossed by a fair one from a box.
Her Majesty's Theatre (added a colleague) may now be said to
be in its full zenith of grandeur and perfection of beauty
and splendour, and variety and fame of the ballet. A new
Spanish Donna has been introduced. Although the visitation
was unheralded by the customary flourish of trumpeting _on
dits_, it was extremely successful. The young lady came and
saw and conquered. Many floral offerings were shot at her as
a compliment, and the useful M. Coulos--ever at hand in such
an emergency--assisted very industriously in picking them
up. As for _El Oleano_, this is a sort of cachucha; and it
certainly gives Donna Lola Montez an opportunity of
introducing herself to the public under a very captivating
aspect.... A lovely picture she is to contemplate. There is
before you the very perfection of Spanish beauty--the tall
handsome figure, the full lustrous eye, the joyous animated
countenance, and the dark raven tresses. You gaze upon the
Donna with delight and admiration.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account