In the studio of Mme Lemaire the evening before yesterday were
assembled the finest flower of Parisian elegance along with notable
persons from the world of literature and art.
The programme for the soirée, apart from a Nocturne and the Polonaise
from Chopin's Fantaisie, admirably performed by M. Léon
Delafosse, the brilliant pianist, consisted solely of a selection from Les
Chauves-Souris, a work by Comte Robert de Montesquiou-Fezensac.
After a prelude from M. Delafosse during which could be seen
projections of bats drawn by the artist Aublet and executed by M. Richard,
we heard sung delightfully by M. Clément, the delightful tenor from the
Opéra-Comique: Pécores, Pecus, Les Silencieuses,
Kiss-Ess, Dol and Salve Malva, set to music
with truly unique inspiration by M. Léon Delafosse.
These pieces, all of which were called for an encore, had as an
interlude Laus Noctis, recited by Mlle Bartet from the
Comédie-Française, with every bit of her spirit and her considerable
talent. She was dressed in a ravishing pink outfit.
The musical section was concluded by M. Delafosse's musical Épilude
along with further projections of Chauves-Souris.
Mlle Bartet then returned to recite Bagues, Funus,
Enfleurage, Une Romance, all poems from Les
Chauves-Souris. Which she achieved with incredible success. She was
compelled to recite Une Romance for a second time, brought back
to the stage by an audience that was quite literally "transported".
The whole evening was, as can be seen, an enduring triumph for Comte
Robert de Montesquiou-Fezensac and his remarkable interpreters.
With the exquisite attentions of the great artist, the mistress of the
house, the whole studio was bedecked with hydrangeas, the favorite flower
of the poet of Les Chauves-Souris.
We give mention of a random selection of those in attendance:
Princesse de La Tour-d'Auvergne-Lauragnais, Comte and Comtesse Aimery
de La Rochefoucauld, Marquise de La Rochelambert, Vicomtesse de Villiers,
Marquis and Marquise de Montmort, M. and Mlles de Heredia, Mmes Vagliano,
Baignières, MM. and Mmes Gervex, Duez, Dettelbach, Roger Jourdain, Arcos,
Mlle Sybil Sanderson, Comte de Chabrol, MM. Henry Lavedan, Carolus Duran,
Maurice Vaucaire, Aublet, Jean Rameau, Comte de Villeneuve-Esclapon.
Exquisite outfits. Most eye-catching that of the mistress of the house
in white satin. Mlle Lemaire, who assisted her in carrying out the honours
with their guests, wore a dress of white watered silk trimmed with
hydrangeas.
Le Gaulois, 24 May 1894. In his files Philip Kolb
suggested the possibility that this could have been written by Proust.
Kolb-Proust Record ID:C8700: "M.P.?". This soirée, which took place on
22 May 1894, is thought to have been the occasion when Proust first met
Reynaldo Hahn. One week later, on 31 May 1894, Le Gaulois
published Une fête littéraire à Versailles, an unsigned piece
by Proust. This was the period when Proust was ingratiating himself with
Montesquiou and Mme Lemaire and also assisting Léon Delafosse in his
musical career. There is no evidence to prove whether this was or wasn't
written by Proust.
Created 26.03.2021