I was in Paris last weekend (I know, I can hardly believe it myself!) and while I was there I thought I would check out the old haunts of Marie Duplessis (nee Alphonsine and later christened by authors and librettists, Camille, Marguerite and Violetta). I arrived at 17 bd de la Madeline and there was nothing but a lamppost with the number and a storefront at what I believed to be the correct address. It wouldn't surprise me otherwise, but a guidebook declared there would be plaque and with all that various modern portrayals of Mdme Duplessis, I was a little upset not to find one. But, isn't this completely apropos to the opera and her story (and all the courtesans' and grisettes' and lorettes')? A beautiful woman, inspiring a legendary story of sin and redemption, now forgotten?
It was telling this beautiful building, adorned with naked women, would be Marie's house. It's also telling it turned into a clothing store, with a shopping mall next door, where women today can transform themselves in the latest fashions. Marie would approve of these changes! But what is most revealing is that this building is directly across the "rue" from the massive church, La Madeleine. Madeleine-the patron saint of fallen women. Of course, these are the only 2 prostitutes in history that have been forgiven. The rest, naturally, forgotten as soon as the buttons fastened, the cravats tied.
It's sad, really. A woman who was a prostitute, who charmed men and then when asked to be forgiven, was asked instead to die alone for the sake of an innocent daughter. Then, she redeemed herself not in what she gave up, but in what she became- a legend transformed into a novel, then play, opera, and numerous films. But, now...now she is forgotten in her beloved Paris.
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