Sarah Bernhardt
From Philosopedia
- in the role of Hamlet
Bernhardt, Sarah (22 Oct 1844 - 26 Mar 1923)
Bernhardt, generally called the greatest French actress of recent times, was asked by the composer of operas, Charles François Gounod, if she ever prayed. “No,” she replied, according to A. Carel’s Histoire anecdotique des contemporains (1885),
- Never. I’m an atheist.
To her disgust, Gounod (who “vacillated between mysticism and voluptuousness,” according to one of his biographers) then fell to his knees and prayed for her.
In the winter of 1923, while preparing for a dress rehearsal, Bernhardt suddenly slipped into unconsciousness. “When do I go on?” she inquired, upon coming to. But she never again was able to act, becoming bedridden because of ill health. When she was able to walk, she soon collapsed again and, upon being informed that journalists were outside, said they could just wait: “All my life reporters have tormented me enough. I can tease them now a little by making them cool their heels.” The following day, the great actress died.
