Erik and Elisabeth in Moscow
Chapter 1
In time, this story takes place in "Let me see my daughter" when Erik and Elisabeth have left New York and via London travelled to Moscow. It's what happened in Moscow before they continued their trip to Vienna, Switzerland and Paris.
I write epic (and fairly long) stories, narrative more than showing emotional discussions, but that's how I do it, and perhaps some of you like that too.
Erik and Elisabeth travelled from London to Moscow in December 1884, invited by the Russian opera singer Maryshka Fedorova, who they had met when she gave a guest performance at the Metropolitan. Erik and Elisabeth had left New York for London, where they stayed for a month, invited by Erik's friend Kristina Nilsson, countess Casa de Miranda, and her husband. Their plans were to return to London after the visit in Moscow and a tour in Northen Europe, via Vienna and Bern, where Elisabeth's brother lived.
When they arrived in Moscow it was cold winter, and snow covered the city. Elisabeth watched with fascination the mix of people walking the streets of Moscow. They went straight to their hotel and the next day they took a cab to the Bolsjoj theatre where they were greeted by Maryshka and her friend and colleague "The Grand Boriakin". Maryshka had talked a lot of him during her stay in New York, but they had never understod if he was very famous or just big. Maryshka took their hands and kissed their cheeks. "Welcome to Moscow! How nice to see you. Did you have a good journey?" She introduced her friend. Elisabeth felt her jaw drop. The man was very tall and very heavy. She had to lean her head back to see his face. Erik took his hand. "Pleased to met you, mr Boriakin. Mme Fedorova has talked a lot about you." – "Only pleasant things I hope. " His voice was deep and rumbling and it was no difficult guess to say that he was a bass singer. "Mademoiselle" Elisabeth's hand disappeared in his. "Let us show you around" Maryshka said and they went up the stairs to the beautiful building. "I thought perhaps "Grand Boriakin" meant a diva" Elisabeth whispered "but that he is not – but indisputably big."
They admired the magnificent auditorium, the stage and all the six circles. Elisabeth was very impressed. "Later in the aftenoon the ballet will reherse here" Maryshka said. "But this evening's performance is 'Eugene Onegin'. I sing Tatiana – like in New York." Behind the stage they passed many rehearsal rooms. "The ballet reherse here now. Our ballet manager is still M. Petipa, the known French choreographer. He is old now and will soon have a successor. You will meet them all, including our principal dancer Michail Nurinskij. He is very talanted and a little special. Everyone knows him – especially the ladies." They entered the office of the opera manager and Maryshka introduced the guests. They discussed the terms of the visit. Bolsjoj would present mr Leroux' opera 'Tintomara' with his assistance, and he would also compose ballet music. Miss Bercier would sing Susanna in 'The Marriage of Figaro' and study for some other roles.
Then they went for lunch at a nearby restaurant. "At the restaurant you will meet my nephew, prince Nicolas Fedorov and the mezzo soprano Sonja, who he is now courting" Maryshka said. "Nicolas is interested in opera and is supporing the Bolsjsoj with money."- "He's more interested in the female singers than in the opera" Boriakin said in a low voice, which only Elisabeth heard. She put her hand on his arm. "Look, it's looks just like a Christmas card". "Yes you have picked the right time to come." They went behind Erik and Maryshka, who took the lead. "I think Maryshka is impressed by M. Leroux" he said. "Is he your..?" Elisabeth took off her glove and showed her ring. "My fiancé, yes."
At the restaurant Maryshka introduced the awaiting couple. Prince Fedorov, a tall man in his mid-thirties, took Elisabeth's hand, faking a kiss. Then he introduced his company. "The leading mezzo of Bolsjoj, our own flame of fire, Sonja Krysakowa." Sonja smiled apologeticaly. There was no doubt of what he was referring to – her hair was astonishing red. "Pleased to meet you. I wish he wouldn't say that all the time." Her smile was catching and showed deep pimples in both her cheek. Erik took her hand and kissed it. "It suits you, mademoiselle". Elisabeth and Sonja shook hands. They sat and and the lunch passed during interesting conversation. Sonja looked at Erik "Why do you wear a mask?" – "Nothing dramatic really – I was born with a disfiguration. No accident, no attac on me. I have suffered much for this- now I have accepted it." Sonja raised her glass "Welcome to Moscow!"
When they returned from the restaurant Sonja went beside Elisabeth. "We have to go and watch the ballet rehearsing now" she said. "You must see Michail Nurinskij, you just must!" The two women went side by side, talking and laughing and Erik who watched them realised that perhaps Elisabeth had felt the lack of a friend her age and now had found it. Nicolas went beside Boriakin. "They are like children. Little Polakova would never behave like that." –"Perhaps she should. How do you know? Do you know her that well?"
Back at the Bolsjoj Maryshka and Nicolas had business to attend to and Boriakin asked the others "Should we watch the ballet? Follow me – and please be quiet." They entered a box near the stage. A couple of musicians played and the dancers rehearsed, led by a thin woman with a stick. The performance was Swan lake. The male soloist performed a solo dance. "It's him" Sonja whispered. Even at a distance he was impressive, muscular and skilled. His fairly long blond hair swayed around his head. His face had almost primitive features. Sonja couldn't take her eyes from him. "Who is the female soloist?" Elisabeth asked. "It's Anna Polakova, our most recent premier dancer. She is young and has had a fast carrier. She is very ambitious." She was very blond. Soon the party was spotted from the stage. "Who are you disturbing the rehearsal?" the lady with the stick asked. "Is that you, Boriakin? Who are your company?" – "I bring visitors from abroad, Katarina. Can we come and say hello?"- "Please do." They entered the stage. Michail looked at them and Sonja began to blush. "Maryshka has invited this couple from Metropolitan, New York" Boriakin explained. "Mr Erik Leroux, composer from Paris and miss Elisabeth Bercier, opera singer from Switzerland ." Katarina shook their hands, studying Erik's mask with interest. Michail greated Erik politely, then smiled at Elisabeth. Seing his face more closely she again thought he looked primitive, with bushy eyebrows over green eyes, a rather big nose and a generous mouth, especially when smiling. She felt his eyes penetrating her. Anna looked firmly at Erik, taking his hand instead of letting him kiss hers. She did the same with Elisabeth, smiling ever so slightly. She had delicate features, blue eyes and a mass of blond hair, tied back in a bun. They had some conversation, then Boriakin said "We will not interrupt you any more. Please continue." Michail looked at Elisabeth "You will come to the performance tomorrow?" – "Of course." –"Isn't he gorgeous?" Sonja asked when they left. "Well I don't know. Are you not supposed to be Nicolas Fedorov's fiancé?" – "Him? Oh, he's so dull. He's just a good contact. And – I stand no real chance with Michail. He's courting all and everyone. All women fancy him – with the exception of Anna – they are more like brother and sister. He looked at you." – "Yes I felt it and I felt a little scared. I wonder what Erik will think of it."-"I find your fiancé a lot more interesting than mine. He is charming. Pity about his mask though." Erik looked at the girls laughing – they really had become friends already. He had noticed Michail's interest and he understood that if a younger man seriously began courting Elsabeth he himself wouldn't stand a chance, being so much older than she.
Maryshka and Nicolas joined the company. "Before you go back to your hotel to rest before tonight's performance, I would like you to meet some of the singers from tonight's performance of Eugen Onegin" she said. They went to a small tea room with a samovar at a table and sofas and tables with people sitting all around. They had some tea and then Marysha led them to a small table were a man sat alone. "May I introduce you to the Eugen Onegin of tonight, Sergej Vasilov? Mr Leroux, composer and miss Bercier, opera singer from Metropolitan, New York. Sergej rose and greeted them. He looked very much like the character he was going to impersonate, as you figured him, with clear-cut features, dark hair and eyes and a melancholy look. He kept Elisabeth's hand in his for a moment and looked into her eyes. "Very pleased, indeed." She drew back her hand, slightly scared. He reminded her a little of Erik – like he would have looked, if not.. They sat down to talk. "What operas have you performed in?" he asked Elisabeth. "Surely you must have played Tatiana, you are the perfect Tatiana, she must be just like you, no offense, Maryshka." – "I'm sorry I haven't yet. So far I have only performed as Susanna and in Tintomara, that is mr Lerox' opera." – "Then I will not give up until you have played Tintomara here at the Bolsjoj." Maryshka urged them to meet a few more people, then she said "You are welcome to the performance tonight – now go to the hotel and rest."
Erik and Elisabeth passed through the lobby. "Let's go 'home' then" he said. "You seem to have met a friend – and some admirers too." – "And you have created some excitement – but they havn't heard your music yet." When they put on their coats they saw a young woman standing by the side, watching them. She was dressed in Cossac style with boots and her blond hair in a thick braid on her back. It was the dancer Anna Polakova. She stood there for a while, then left. They returned to the hotel for a quick supper. "How long will we stay?" Elisabeth asked. "Should I study to sing Tatiana?" - "If you want to. I will survey the setting of Tintomara and compose ballet music. Perhaps you could rehearse other roles? What about Pamina?"