Warszawski hołd Madame 1909

Helena Modrzejewska (1840–1909) was a luminary of the stage, captivating audiences in Cracow (1865–1869) and Warsaw (1869–1876). Yet, her brilliance transcended national borders. From 1877 she soared to the zenith of American theatre history, her talent resonating across the globe. In 1880–1882 and 1885, she graced the stages of London and around Great Britain. Following Helena Modrzejewska’s passing on 8 April 1909 on Bay Island in Newport Beach, California, many articles, biographical entries, memories, and press notes flooded the Warsaw newspapers. Correspondents meticulously detailed funeral ceremonies in Los Angeles and Chicago. On 30 June, Modrzejewska’s body was transported to New York; then, on 3 July, to Europe on the Augusta Victoria steamer and later on to her hometown, Cracow. This comprehensive overview of Warsaw’s posthumous reception includes pivotal texts by exceptional artists (Józef Kotarbiński) and critics (Władysław Bogusławski), as well as a review of funeral ceremony descriptions, publications of correspondence excerpts, memoirs, and photo collections.