Showing results by author "Sarah Bernhardt" in All Categories

Esperance grew pale; she took the card from her mother's hands, fearing that she might be mistaken. It was indeed the Countess and not the Count. She breathed again! Marguerite and the maid carried the basket into the salon; then the young girl went into the library with her mother. The newspaper clippings were spread out on the table, and the two famous trinkets had been taken from their cases. Madame Darbois clasped and unclasped her hands....

Fifteen-year-old Esperance Darbois, the only daughter of philosophy professor François Darbois, is determined to become a woman of the stage. But becoming an actress will sully the respectability of the Darbois family, damage her marriage prospects, and harm her father’s distinguished reputation.

Join us as we delve into the captivating world of Sarah Bernhardt, the legendary French actress who graced the stage in some of the most beloved plays of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A pioneer in the transition to the silver screen, Bernhardt was celebrated not only for her extraordinary talent but also for her stunning beauty. In this episode, we present her autobiography in English, providing a glimpse into the life of a true theatrical icon. For those interested, the original French version is also available in our catalog. - Summary by Lynne Thompson

Sarah Bernhardt servit le théâtre avec passion, joua Phèdre pendant quarante ans et jusqu'à sa mort en 1923, osa, tout à la fois, peindre, sculpter, écrire, parcourir le monde et faire de sa vie de femme libre une succession d'actes éclatants et provocants. A cinquante-quatre ans, elle écrivit les mémoires de sa vie flamboyante.

Timeless and surprisingly current, The Art of the Theatre, published after her death at age 78, is the final and most in-depth record of the great actress' views on acting and the theatre. Here "The Divine Sarah" shares advice on everything from speech, movement, role preparation, vocal warmups, and make-up tips to why she preferred to play Hamlet instead of Ophelia.

Along with historical narrative, hear rare recordings of some of the most iconic people in history, including James J. Corbett, Sarah Bernhardt, Lillian Russell, Emperor Franz Joseph, Gen. John J. Pershing, Edward H. Sothern, Rudolph Valentino, President Coolidge with Charles Lindbergh, Billy Sunday, and Rudyard Kipling. Recording obtained and published by Rick Sheridan.