Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1835 edition. Excerpt: ...had been dispensed with; but Madame would not hear of this. Talma was among the visitors to Aix this year. He had gone thither by order of his medical attendants to drink the waters and recover his health; but he seemed likely to grow worse instead of better. He was condemned every evening by the Princess Pauline to read scenes from Moliere, to divert the princess and her company. Talma at first, could not venture to refuse a request made by the Emperor's sister. It was certainly very amusing to hear him imitate a female voice and repeat, almost as well as Mademoiselle Mars: "Excusez-moi, monsieur, je n'entends pas grec." Then he would assume a gruff tone of voice and growl like the Avare. This was all very well for a little time, when Talma himself, tired of playing the emperor, the prince, and the grand-turk seemed to be amused at taking a new line of characters; but he soon grew weary of it. "This will kill me," said he to me one day. "I cannot hold out much longer; she will compel me to leave Aix, which I am sorry for, because I like the place; but I cannot endure the fatigue of those rehearsals every evening, for the princess is learning the part of Agnes in the Ecole des Femmes; and that of Angelique, in Les Femmes savantes." One evening Talma charmed us by the excellent style in which he recited some passages from Aboufar. We suggested to him that he might get up a regular performance at Chambery. There was a theatre in that place, and it was possible that he might find a few performers capable of acting with him. He promised to think about the matter, and a few days afterwards he informed us that he had been to Chambery, and made all the necessary arrangements for the play. The piece selected was Iphige'nie en Tauride. This...
