Tags
Andes, ballet exercises, Clus, costumes, dance training, Deibh, Diaghilev, earthquake, Mascot, Mr. Clustine, New York, Nondas, Orphé, Pavlova, pictures, presents, rehearsal, Ruskia, Santiago de Chile, the Company, travel, Victor Dandre, weather, X
P. 1
[Letterhead:
“Gran Hotel de Roma”
de
Ramón Casal y Cía.
Cangallo 759
Unión Telef. 942, Avenida
Buenos Aires
No date]
My Dear Little Nondas,
But pardon me I hear you are 5 yr. so I must alter that frase [sic]. I was so pleased to receive Both yours and your dear Mama’s letter. I am glad you like the p.c. but I think that is a good idea to keep them and when I get to New York send you a registered pagage [sic] of p.c and also coppies [sic] of some of my most interesting postcards snapshots. In your dear Mama’s letter I have described [sic] the lovely trip or rather it would have been lovely had we had better wether [sic], across the Andes. I was cold up there but here I am cold too my feet freezing and my heavy coat on your [sic] laughing but its no fun I had to scold your Mama in my note to her she knows best why and if she does the same again I will come and spank you both. In Santiago we had a slight earth quake we were just having the interval at the theater the public was in a bit of a panic but calmed down but Pavlova was crying and very upset. We gave there for the first time since 3 or 4 years Oriental it certainly was a magnificent afair [sic] Pavolva had a gorgeous new costume on of green silk tights with black sequined net over and gold shoes and pearl trimmings and oh well I will try and draw it if possible and there you can best see although I am no artist at it. It is a pity the mail
P. 2
takes so long and it is practically useless to send postcards out as they steal them before they leave the country a gentleman told me. We also gave Orphé a greak [sic] Ballet. Is it not funny how some people who can hardly move their two feet let alone dance can make a success and get on the stage for instance in Santiago was a dancer named Ruskia well really I never saw such a fright of a girl in my life and her toe dancing was absolutely impossible and the other stile [sic] to [sic] she had no grace of body at all and yet she has a theater by herself and even managed to have it fairly filled even although our Co was there. The Junier still what I saw was a german boy Deibh [sic] who danced on his toes but who was a little crazy for he thought himself better than Pavlova and came to offer himself to the Co, but the moment he started the B.M.—Mr. Christine stoped [sic] him as we were all in hystricics [sic] over him, and Mr. Dandre told him he could not engage him as he might be a rival to Mme. Pavlova and really the poor fool behaved if he actually [sic] wanted to turn up in a tarletan [sic] and pink tights but someone luckily [sic] warned him. Your dear Mama asked how is X nowadays well I really think she is more cranky and nasty then [sic] she ever has been in her whole life & Clus & X are constantly fighting when is a rehearsal and it certainty [sic]
P. 3
is getting different the whole Co. has changed the aspect [???] and all of Course our Co still and always [sic] will carry the distinction of being 1st class and the most respectable theatrical Co. touring & the most refined. Diegeleffs [sic] are comeing [sic] here too But they have a very poor Co this time. I want to sew and do severly [sic] little things but really it is to [sic] cold. I am really anxious because I have received nothing else but a postcard on my birthday from home. I will finish this letter now. And I send you
Love and kisses from,
Mascot
[Drawing of dancer and costume with parts numbered]
1x Bear Collar
1 Perils [sic]
2 Gold Colored Brocade
3 Sequined Black net
4 Green tights
5 Green satin
6 Black Velvet.
P. 4
Exercise I. [two stick figures] 2nd Position [stick figure] points
hold on to a table or something strong and stand in the 2nd position and plie very very slowly keeping heals [sic] on the floor then rise slowly and slowly draw yourself on the points knees straight. do this about 8 to 10 times
Exercise II.
Stand in first position [stick figure] Both feet together [stick figure] rise on half point. plie [stick figure] and rise on the points [stick figure]. This also 8 to 10 times.
Exercise III.
Plie in 5th Position feet but well closed [stick figure] slowly rise circle arms around the head [stick figure showing arms circling] then developé [sic] front foot [stick figure] rais [sic] on half point lower the foot and do the same on the left side Plie again circle the arms and develope [sic] to the back [quotation marks to indicate repeat above: Plie again circle the arms and develope to] the side called à la seconde [stick figure] raise as before and do same to left. This is very good for balance.
Exercise IV.
Plie in 5th feet well closed [drawing of feet in 5th] raise slowly developé to the side (à la seconde) slowly turn your body [stick figure] and into arebesque [sic]. [two stick figures] slowly plie raise up [stick figure] and bring foot back into 5th position do the same to right.
I soppose [sic] you know all the bar [sic] practice a little no matter how everything seams [sic] against it you are very young Nondas and as long as you are limber one can always be hopefull [sic] for dancing if not classical perhaps cachater [sic] I wish I could
[Margin of P. 4]
have you near me I am nothing much of a dancer but I know quite a lot about it and could teach you every day