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10 Facts About Sarah Bernhardt
Ten fascinating facts about Sarah Bernhardt, a renowned 19th-century French actress whose life was filled with drama, both on and off stage.
Persian
United Kingdom
EntertainmentLifestyleFranceTheatreBiographyActress19Th Century
Conservatoire De ParisComédie-Française
Sarah BernhardtHenriette Rosine BernardJudith BernardDuc De MornyLouise AbbémaJacques DamalaMark TwainBram Stoker
- Describe Sarah Bernhardt's death and funeral.
- Bernhardt's final performance was a private one, yet it was also a national event. Her death was widely reported in newspapers, and her funeral procession drew enormous crowds, highlighting her enduring impact on French society.
- Did Sarah Bernhardt always receive positive reviews?
- While Bernhardt achieved international stardom, she did receive negative reviews early in her career. Her debut performance was poorly received, prompting an apology and a reminder from her instructor that even she could be forgiven, but not the playwright Racine.
- What was Sarah Bernhardt's early life and how did she get into acting?
- Despite her Jewish background, Bernhardt attended Catholic schools and considered becoming a nun. However, her mother's lover, the Duc de Morny, intervened, believing she was destined for the stage, and secured her admission to the Conservatoire de Paris.
- What was Sarah Bernhardt's real name, and why did she choose her stage name?
- Sarah Bernhardt's real name was Henriette Rosine Bernard. She adopted the stage name "Sarah Bernhardt" possibly as a tribute to her Jewish heritage during a time of rising antisemitism in France.
- Who was Sarah Bernhardt's most significant romantic partner, and how did they express their love?
- Bernhardt's longest relationship was with fellow artist Louise Abbéma. The two women shared their love of art, creating sculptures and paintings together, which they used to express their affection.