Adelina Patti
(The Daily Mail [London, UK] - 26th January, 1899)
PATTI's WEDDING
Mme. Patti has added another interesting chapter to the romantic story of her life. She was married yesterday at the picturesque little Welsh town of Brecon, not far from her mountain home, to Baron Olaf Rudolph Cederstrom, the representative of a Swedish family which was granted its patent of nobility so far back as 1684.
Why did the "Queen of Song" confer this favour upon the comparatively insignificant town of Brecon? There is a bond of strong affection between the villagers and the diva. The outside world may not understand the intensity or the sources of this inspiration. But Mme. Patti has won the heart of every one in Brecon, and Brecon loves her in return. It was in Brecon during Eisteddfod that she bewitched them all, thousands of Welsh men and women. She has showered gifts of charity with bountiful hands upon the town, and the town has made her one of its honorary burgesses. She is one of the few ladies who hold the honorary freedom of a Welsh borough. To the inhabitants of Brecon she is "Our Patti"; and Brecon gave her a royal wedding-day yesterday.
It was a lovely morning - brisk and frosty, with a smiling sun to light up the grandeur of Craig-y-Nos, which had a large party of guests, for whom Mme. Patti had sung the previous night the Jewes Song from "Faust." She drove from the castle yesterday morning the centre of a bridal party, numbering about a dozen, at halfpast nine. Cannon boomed out a happy send off.
The drive over the private road of Craig-y-Nos brought the party quickly to the wayside station of Penwyllt, whence the special train conveyed them to Brecon.
Enthusiastic welcome greeted the bride when she appeared to the crowd of villagers who crushed against the station railings. Colonel John Morgan, mayor of the borough, and high sheriff of the county, was there, in his robes, with the town clerk, to escort her to the marriage ceremony. The band of the South Wales Borderers played up "Hail, Queen." The mayor and the town clerk entered the diva's saloon to bid her welcome; and she emerged, carrying a large bouquet of white and purple orchids. Outside the station five open carriages were in waiting.
A procession was led by the band, playing the Welsh national anthem, and a detachment of police and fire brigade men formed a guard of honour. The streets were gaily decorated; from the station to the church, more than half a mile, was an avenue of garlands, with bunting galore.
Near the spot where the old town turret stood in Norman days there was a picturesque castellated arch, displaying from the incoming side "Breconians welcome their honorary burgess," and upon the other side a Welsh sentiment. The sidewalks were crowded with cheering people.
At the entrance to the Roman Catholic Church the party was welcomed by the corporation and the local magistracy. Inside privileged spectators crowded all the seats. The decorations were very chaste, the altar having a background of pure white muslin, brightened by lovely flowers, while alternate stripes of white and Cambridge blue provided a delightfully soft and refreshing aspect.
The marriage ceremony was brief and devoid of ritual, lasting barely twenty minutes. Sir George Faudel Phillips, the Jubilee Lord Mayor of London, who stood in front of the altar beside the bride, gave her away. The duties of best man were performed by Baron Rolf Cederstrom, A.D.C to Prince Eugen of Sweden.
Before the ceremony the choir sang the hymn "Majesty Divine." The ring was deposited, on the priest's book and blessed; and the bridegroom then receiving it, placed it successively upon the thumb and first and middle fingers before finally leaving it on the usual ring finger, repeating meanwhile "In the name of the Father, of the Son, of the Holy Ghost, Amen." At the close the choir sang another hymn, "Come, Holy Spirit," and the bridal procession moved away to the strains of the Wedding March from "Lohengrin."
The bride was married in her travelling-dress, of palest dove-coloured satin de Lyons, the skirt being beautifully embroidered in fine steel. The bodice was of pale grey; the embroidery, which matched the skirt, was exquisite. The waistbelt was of mauve satin ribbon, fastened with a bow on the left side; and on the right of the corsage was a lovely spray of orchids. The cape matched the dress, and the empiecement and storm collar were covered with the finest steel embroidery in a design of true-lovers' knots. The bonnet was of mauve. The bride also wore a travelling cloak of dark heliotrope, lined with mauve chine silk, with a rich collar and revers. This garment entirely covered the dress, and was the most graceful robe imaginable. She also carried a bouquet of orchids.
The ceremony over, the procession was reformed, and proceeded back to the railway station, where the party rejoined the special train, which subsequently left for London, the wedding breakfast being served en route in a magnificently appointed saloon. The train reached Paddington at 5.5 last evening. A huge crowd witnessed the arrival of Mme. Patti and her husband, and cheered them loudly as they entered their carriage and drove to the Hotel Cecil.
To-day Mme. Patti and her husband leave for the south of France, where the honeymoon will be spent.
(Lloyds Weekly News [London, UK] - 13th September, 1908)
MISS STUDHOLME MARRIED - Famous Stage Beauty Weds Major-General's Son - SECRET CEREMONY
The matrimonial epidemic which has recently raged in the London theatres is not yet over, and another romance is added to the lift by the announcement on Friday of the marriage of Miss Marie Studholme, perhaps the best known and one of the most beautiful of musical comedy actresses.
Following the example of recent musical comedy brides, the ceremony took place secretly. So successful were the steps taken to conceal the fact that a week elapsed before the news became generally known. Even Miss Studholme's mother was unaware of her intention to marry at once.
The bridegroom, Mr. H. G. Borrett, is a son of Major-General Borrett, and the engagement has lasted for three years.
The ceremony took place on Thursday, Sept. 4. Miss Studholme left her home at Finchley Road at one o'clock, explaining to her mother that she was going out to lunch. She did not return that evening, and Mrs. Studholme-Lupton, her mother, thought that she had proceeded immediately on her provincial tour.
It was only on Wednesday last that Mrs. Studholme-Lupton heard from her daughter that she had been married to Mr. Borrett. On leaving home Miss Studholme met Mr. Borrett, and proceeded with him to Marylebone registry office, where the ceremony was performed by the superintendent registrar, Mr. H. T. Dodman, and Mr. Frank Stokes, the registrar.
In the marriage certificate the parties are described as follows:- Harold Giles Borrett. aged twenty-seven, bachelor, of independent means, of 10 Devonshire Place, St. Marylebone, son of Herbert Charles Borrett. General (British Army). Caroline Mary Porteous, formerly Lupton, spinster, aged thirty-one, the divorced wife of Gilbert James Porteous, of 38, Finchley Road, daughter of Joseph Lupton of independent means.
The certificate was signed by Mr. John H. Leslie and Mr. Eustace H. Bernaby as witnesses. Immediately after her marriage Miss Studholme proceeded on her tour with "My Mimosa Maid," in which she is appearing at Folkestone this week.
The bridegroom, Harold Giles Borrett, is some years younger than his bride, and is tall and well-built. He is one of five sons of Major-General Herbert C. Borrett. C.B., of Lancaster Lodge, Bath Road, Reading.
Miss Studholme met her husband under romantic circumstances. Mr. Borrett is an amateur actor, and secured a minor post in "My Darling," the musical play in which Miss Studholme was touring at the time, and so made the acquaintance of his bride.
Miss Marie Studholme is a Yorkshire girl. She was born in Eccleshill, and spent her early years in the neighbouring village of Baildon. Miss Studholme came to London to stay with her mother when she was fifteen and went on the stage when she was sixteen years of age, making her debut at the Lyric Theatre under the management of Mr. Horace Sedger. The play was "La Cigale," and she had a one-line part. Afterwards Sir W. S. Gilbert gave her a part in "Haste to the Wedding" at the Criterion. Her ability attracted the attention of Mr. George Edwardes, and he engaged her for the tour of the Gaiety Company in America, where she achieved a great success.
Back in England, she appeared in "San Toy," and increased her popularity by her performance in "The Geisha." She rapidly became a favourite with London playgoers, and probably no actress has been so often photographed.
(The Daily Mail [London, UK] - 7th April, 1914)
MRS. PATRICK CAMPBELL - MARRIAGE TO MR. CORNWALLIS-WEST
Mrs. Patrick Campbell, the actress, was married at Marloes Road (Kensington) Registry Office to Mr. George Cornwallis-West yesterday afternoon. Barely an hour before the decree nisi granted to Mrs. Cornwallis-West (Lady Randolph Churchill) against the bridegroom was made absolute in the Divorce Court by Sir Samuel Evans.
The secret of the wedding had been well kept. Mrs. Campbell and Mr. Cornwallis-West drove to the registry office together in a motor-car, and afterwards drove away separately. A photographer tried to take a snapshot of them in the street, but Mr. Cornwallis-West seized the camera and drove off with it in his motor-car. Later Mr. and Mrs. Cornwallis-West motored to the country.
They will return to London to-morrow, when Mrs. Patrick Campbell resumes rehearsal at His Majesty's Theatre for Mr. Bernard Shaw's play "Pygmalion," which will be produced on Saturday night.
Mrs. Patrick Campbell, who has been the favourite of a generation of playgoers, was married at the age of seventeen to Patrick Campbell and temporarily retired from the stage. Her husband was in the Navy and then went abroad on business. He was a sergeant of the Imperial Yeomanry, and died in service in South Africa. The news of his death was tragically conveyed to his widow on the stage of the Royalty Theatre.
Mr. Cornwallis-West married Lady Randolph Churchill in 1900. In December 1912 he left, his wife, and in January last year she filed a petition for restitution of conjugal rights. An order was made by the court and was never obeyed. In May divorce proceedings were begun, and a decree nisi granted last July on the grounds of desertion and misconduct an unamed woman.
In the certificate of yesterday's marriage the bride is described as: "Beatrice Stella Campbell, aged fortyseven, widow; fathers name, John Tanner, deceased, gentleman."
The bridegroom is described as: "George Frederick Myddleton Cornwallis-West, aged thirty-nine, divorced husband of Jennie Cornwallis-West (formerly Churchill, widow); independent means; father's name and surname, William Cornwallis-West, Lord Lieutenant of Denbighshire."
To playgoers Mrs. Patrick Campbell's name is at once associated with the part of Paula Tanqueray in Sir Arthur Pinero's play "The Second Mrs. Tanqueray." She possesses an unequalled reputation and record as an actress of somewhat neurotic roles, "women, with pasts," of whom the Notorious Mrs. Ebbsmith and Magda are examples. The part of a Cockney flower girl which Mrs. Campbell is to play in "Pygmalion" is a considerable departure from the roles with which she is associated in the public mind.
(Lloyds Weekly News [London, UK] - 12th June, 1910)
FAMOUS DANCER WEDS - Mlle. Adeline Genee Married to Mr. Frank Isitt - QUEEN MOTHER'S GIFT
A great crowd gathered outside All Saints' Church, Margaret Street, Cavendish Square, yesterday, eager to catch a glimpse of the famous dancer. Mlle. Adeline Genee, as she passed into the building to be married to Mr. Frank Isitt, secretary of the Holborn Viaduct Land Company. There was a rush for the bride's carriage when she appeared and her progress from the carriage to the church was marked by a flattering demonstration. Her gown was of white satin trimmed with Brussels lace and pearls. The long Court train was carried by a little page in white satin costume.
Mlle. Genee wore a wreath of orange blossoms, and carried a bouquet of lilies of the valley. Four bridesmaids in white satin attended the bride, and they, too, carried bouquets of lilies of the valley. An orchestral band played wedding marches before the ceremony, and the choir preceded the bridal party up the aisle singing "The voice that breathed o'er Eden." The bride was given away by the Duke of Newcastle.
Among those present at the ceremony were the Earl and Countess of Ross, the Duchess of Newcastle, Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Maude, the Danish Consul-General and Madame Faber, Mr. Cunninghame Graham, Lady Colin Campbell, Captain and the Hon. Mrs. Stirling, and Mrs. Isitt, mother of the bridegroom.
Owing to the death of King Edward the reception, which was to have been held by the Duchess of Newcastle, was abandoned.
Mr. and Mrs. Isitt, who left in the afternoon for the Continent, received many splendid presents. Queen Alexandra sent the bride, who like herself is a native of Denmark, a diamond brooch. The Duke and Duchess of Somerset save a chased gold box; Mrs. Knatchbull (Dora Bright), who wrote "The Dryad," in which the bride scored one of her many brilliant successes, a diamond and sapphire ring; Duke and Duchess of Newcastle, chest containing a massive silver tea and coffee service; Duchess of Newcastle, motor footstool fitted as a luncheon basket; Earl and Countess of Rosse, plate; Earl and Countess of Lonsdale, silver; Lady Beatrice Lister Kaye and Miss Lister Kaye, pierced Dresden fruit basket; Major and the Hon. Mrs. Stirling, silver sugar sifter; Sir Richard and Lady Muriel Paget, pair of Irish porcelain rose bowls on carved stands; Mr. Alfred de Rothschild, diamond and pearl brooch; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Bourchier, breakfast set; Mr. Norman Forbes-Robertson, antique gold seal and old silver skewer; Mrs. Yensen, the bride's mother, Copenhagen china vase; Consul-General of Denmark and Mrs. Faber, grey ostrich feather and tortoiseshell fan; her little maid, who has been with her for nine years, a large white silk cushion, exquisitely embroidered and inset with real lace bearing a card inscribed, "With love, from Marie."
At a dinner-party given recently by the celebrated premiere danseuse, two large barrels were taken into the room, greatly to the surprise of hostess and company. They were closely followed by two American friends, who begged the bride-elect's acceptance of them as their wedding present. The contents proved to be a complete service for twelve people, of singularly beautiful cut glass, and the donors were Mr. and Mrs. Haley Fiske.
Other gifts are: From the Dowager Duchess of Newcastle, a silver coffee service; Earl and Countess Manvers, antique silver cruet; the Countess de Casa Miranda (Madame Christine Nilsson), who is Mr Isitt's godmother, an emerald and diamond scarf pin; Mrs. Isitt, his mother, a canteen of plate; the directors of the Empire Theatre, Rose du Barri dessert service; ladies and gentlemen of the Empire Ballet, silver rose bowl; members of bride's London company, who accompanied her to America, large solid framed mirror, inscribed members of bride's American company, case of twelve silver bon-bon and cake dishes.