The Actor Kainz
Joseph Kainz, the actor, who was later so celebrated, had, at the
beginning of the eighties, an engagement at Munich; he was then
twenty-three years of age. The King saw him for the first time in
Victor Hugo's Marion de Lorme, in which he played the part of the
homeless Didier. His unusually sonorous voice, his lofty glance, and
the passionate warmth of his acting captivated Ludwig, who the same
evening caused to be delivered to him a valuable sapphire ring. Kainz
thanked him in a letter full of fire. In an autograph letter, dated the
1st of May, 1881, his Majesty assured him of his friendly feelings,
and of his sincere and hearty wishes for his welfare. He added:
"Continue as you have begun, in your arduous and difficult but
beautiful and honourable calling. [31]"
Marion de Lorme was repeated as a separate performance on the 4th and
the 10th of May, and on each occasion Kainz received a new present
from the King. Wishing to know him personally Ludwig summoned him to
Schloss Linderhof, where he received him with charming affability. He
kept him with him for two whole weeks, making excursions with him
and treating him as a friend. During the first meeting the actor had
been somewhat reserved and formal; but after they had been a few
days together all shyness departed from his side, and Ludwig even
permitted him to address him as du. The actor declaimed alternately to
and with his Majesty, and their artistic entertainments lasted till
late into the night. Kainz was allowed to be present at the private
performances. The King undertook to provide for his further education,
and corresponded frequently with him. The friendship between the prince
and the actor was much talked about and much criticised. "It depresses
me greatly when I see that my innocent fancies are trumpeted out before
the whole world, and are hatefully criticised," said Ludwig to his new
friend. "It has caused me many sad hours. I cannot imagine why I should
be grudged my small pleasures, for they do not harm anybody." When
on another occasion they were discussing the art of acting, he said:
"I guard my ideals anxiously. I do not care to notice small weaknesses,
for I do not like the general harmony to be disturbed." He continued
reflectively: "It is the same with regard to actors; I see only the
person in the interpreter! The actor who plays a noble part I imagine
to be a noble person." Kainz demurred to this, saying that although
he did not consider himself a villain, it was his wish to play the
part of Franz Moor. "No, no," exclaimed the King eagerly; "you must
never represent such a hateful character." He went on to speak of
the part of Didier. "When Marion de Lorme was repeated," said he,
reproachfully, you wore my sapphire ring in the first act. How could
the poor, homeless Didier possess such a costly ornament? It offends
against the laws of truth." Kainz excused himself on the plea that
he had been informed that his Majesty liked his gifts to be honoured,
and that it was for this reason he had worn the ring.
The presents which Kainz received from the King were particularly
valuable, and none of the parts he played went unrewarded. One
evening as he was about to take his departure, having already one
foot in the carriage, Ludwig took his studs from his cuffs and handed
them to him as a parting gift. He had his own room allotted to him
at Linderhof, and he was permitted to drive alone with his royal
friend. The marks of favour which were so abundantly showered upon
the young hero of the theatre proved to be too much for him, and he
became very injudicious. At first Ludwig looked upon his brutality
as the outcome of his love for truth. "How good it is to hear the
unvarnished truth!" he said to Councillor Bürckel. The latter, who
knew the new favourite better, answered shortly: "Your Majesty! truth
and impertinence are two different things!"
The King desired to make a journey to Spain in company with the actor,
[32] but was obliged to abandon the plan because Bürckel, who had the
arrangement of the trip, represented to him that the time of year was
unfavourable. "It is a pity," said he; "I have a far greater desire to
see Spain than Italy, which has no attractions for me. But now when
I am about to satisfy my longing, Bürckel comes with his objections;
the propriety of which I cannot but acknowledge." "Bürckel, however,
is only an adviser," observed Kainz; "your Majesty is lord and
master!" "Yes," sighed Ludwig, "but it is not always so easy to be
King as it appears to be." "If it is difficult to your Majesty you can
give up the sceptre into other hands," remarked the actor. The answer
displeased the King, who rose to his feet, thus giving the actor a
hint that he must be more careful in the use of his expressions.
The recollection of earlier visits to Switzerland entered his mind;
he was taken with the desire to see again that idyllic land, and the
places associated according to tradition with William Tell. On the
25th of June he wrote to Kainz:
"Your dear letter, by which I see how much you are looking forward
to our journey to Switzerland, has given me great pleasure. It
increases very considerably my own delight at the days I hope
to enjoy with you in that beautiful country. The nearer the
time approaches the more exercised does the good Bürckel seem to
become. He bombards me with the most extraordinary announcements
and suggestions, proposing now that I should take a noble
gentleman-in-waiting with me. If it is not possible for us to do
without such a person, which, however, cannot possibly be the case,
I would rather give up the whole journey. It is necessary to avoid
the stream of tourists there, and their tactless obtrusiveness.
"It is to be hoped that we can get a habitable private house on
the shores of the classic lake.
"... I have still much to arrange, and therefore hasten to
conclude.
"A thousand hearty greetings, beloved brother, precious Didier,
from your friendly,
"Ludwig
"(Saverny)."