Word: misia
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...evidence of this graceful, knowing, unpretentious new biography, it is hard to think of Misia as grim, but as usual Proust captured the essential truth. For 40-odd years she was the godmother of European artists. She came to maturity in the Belle Epoque, "a beautiful time for those who were privileged," and she brought zest, taste, a tart tongue and plenty of money to a role she never tired of. If she was a climber, the mountain was Parnassus...
...Thursday afternoons spent with Fauré were a highlight in a very lonely childhood. Misia's father, Cyprien Godebski, came from an ancient Polish family. He traveled around Europe sculpting public monuments and seducing women: at the time Misia's mother was pregnant with her in Belgium, her mother's own aunt in Russia was also pregnant by Godebski. Having trekked to St. Petersburg alone to confirm this monstrous news, Mme. Godebska died in childbirth. Misia grew up mostly in Parisian convents...
...marry Thadée Natanson, editor of La Revue Blanche. Like his bride, he lived for the enjoyment of art. Though the marriage was not permanent (nor were later ones to the fabulously rich speculator Alfred Edwards and the fashionable painter José-Maria Sert), the pattern of Misia's life was established in her 20s. She was surrounded by artists, for whom she was companion, model and muse. "Misia never claimed to be a sexual athlete; that was for the ladies of the demimonde," write Gold and Fizdale. "Still, she took it for granted that not only...
...Parisian society, each hostess had a set reception day; Misia held open house every day in the week. She threw everything away except jewels. Drawings made by Lautrec at the dinner table were cleared away with the rest of the leavings. Her motto was, "I don't respect art; Move it." Gold and Fizdale print a lengthy honor role of sources for Misia, but their task would have been easier and clearer if she had not discarded thousands of letters. Or it may be that being forced at times to speculate and use the memoirs of others has enhanced...
...would be to no effect if Misia were just a lucky hanger-on. But as Diaghilev recognized, her taste was accurate. Her occasional criticism stung and enraged Stravinsky, who often played his music first for her. For decades she helped support the composer generously and without question. With the men she loved, she was not so wise. She had a pathetic way of attracting younger women into her circle who could be counted on to steal her man. She was as slow to see this as she was quick to spot the first signs of young genius. Roussy Mdivani...