Part 372: Thomas G. Moses and Mme. Modjeska
John C. Fisher contracted Thomas G. Moses to design and paint all of the new settings for Mme. Modjeska’s 1899 tour. Modjeska traveled with her husband, Count Bozenta [Chalanowska]; the couple had been married since 1868.
Bozenta was extremely active in all of his wife’s productions and kept Thomas G. Moses busy in 1899 at the San Diego public library. They researched the period and looked up data for the upcoming “Marie Antoinette” play. Moses and Bozenta did all of their research in the old library building, as the new Carnegie Library would not be completed until 1902. In 1899, Andrew Carnegie donated $60,000 to build the San Diego Library, the first of his libraries west of the Mississippi.
Moses noted that Bozenta “was very particular, and well posted on many details that went into the production.” Of the final product, Moses wrote, “I never painted better, and the Madam congratulated me on the success of each scene.” The scene of the prologue was placed in the summer home of Marie Antoinette, built for her by Louis XVI at Tranon. There, the ladies of the court gathered and Marie expresses he hatred for the rigid court customs. The other settings included the Palace of Versailles, the Queen’s private apartments, the Tuilleries (The Capital, Vol X, no. 11, Sept 9, 1899). The extensive research conducted by Moses greatly contributed to the successful run of the production.
A newspaper article in the Democrat and Chronicle reported, “John C. Fisher, under whose direction Madame Modjeska is again to tour during the coming season, announces that his elaborate scenic productions for each play in the repertoire are well under way. Special efforts are being made for “Marie Antoinette,” the new play, which, is successful will be seen during Modjeska’s engagement at the Fifth Avenue theater. Thomas G. Moses, who is to be the scenic artist for the American theater next season, is now at work on “Marie Antoinette” at Mr. Fisher’s theater in San Diego, Cal.” (Rochester, New York, 9 July 1899, page 15). The San Francisco Chronicle reviewed the new play by Clinton Stuart – “Marie Antoinette”, commenting, “The play was written expressly for Mme. Modjeska, and her interpretation of it was received with enthusiasm. The play was magnificently staged by John C. Fisher, Modjeska’s manager, and the scenery painted by a New York artist, Thomas Moses, was much admired” (6 Sept 1899, page 3).
“Marie Antoinette,” was the opening engagement at the Los Angeles Theater. The prologue and five-act play were set in Paris from 1787 to 1793. The Los Angeles Times described the production in detail, reporting, “The play is sumptuously furnished. The scenery by Thomas G. Moses, and the costumes, made under the personal supervision of Mme. Modjeska, leave little to be desired in their respective lines” (12 Sept, 1899, page 8). The article continued, “[The play] deals in the storm and stress of the dark and blood-stained period in which its action is laid. It exploits the emotional and womanly side of Marie Antoinette’s character – her love and tenderness, rather than her queenly attributes and haughtiness and pride and unconquerable will…[Modjeska’s] portrayal of the unfortunate queen, Marie Antoinette, is a powerful, though very, very tearful, piece of dramatic characterization.”
To be continued…
