1878 Adeline Genee (born Anina Kristina Margarete Petra Jensen) in Hinnerup, Aarhus, Denmark on the 6th January 1878. She became a very important figure in British ballet.
Whilst she was a very young child she took ballet lessons with her uncle and he was determined that she would become a ballerina. She had her debut at the age of 10, being a member of her uncle’s touring company and by the age of seventeen she was the principal dancer at the Opera House, Copenhagen. After this she was engaged for productions at the Royal Theatres of Berlin and Munich. She lived in London from the age of 19, and it was in London that she became very successful. In London she worked at the Empire Theatre. Her most well-known role was in Les Sylphides.
The former Empire Theatre, Edmonton, London, England just after its opening to the public on 26th December 1908 as a 1,300 seat music hall theatre and part-time cinema by Mae Rose Bawn the ' My Fancy' or the 'Queen of sand dancers'. Designer was Bertie Crewe. It was on this stage that Marie Lloyd collapsed on stage (1922) and died a few days later The American born Ballerina Lydia Kyasht (aka Kiaksht, Kyaksht) was top billing at the theatre when the photograph was taken. She she succeeded Adeline Genée as prima ballerina at the Empire Theatre until 1913. From Alamy.com
1901 Census UK – Adeline is living with her sister, uncle Alexander Genee, his wife, two servants and a visitor in Holborn. She is aged 22 years old, is a dancer and was born in Denmark.
In later years she worked in both the United Kingdom and the United States.
1910 An(n)ina Margarethe Kirstine Petra Adeline Genee aged 30 years old, a spinster and Frank Seymour Nilsson Isitt, aged 48 years old, a bachelor are married on June 11th 1910 at the All Saints, Margaret St, Marylebone, London. Both of their respective fathers have died and Frank’s occupation is listed as Gentleman. The witnesses are Newcastle, Frederick Isitt and Wilhelm Bortgen (this last name is a little hard to discern).
From Alamy.com
The following is taken from the Evening Post on the 15th August 1910, ‘society and stage were largely represented at the marriage in London of Mlle Adeline Genee, the famous dancer to Mr Frank Isitt. Among the array of costly presents which Mlle Genee received was a superb diamond brooch from Queen Alexandra, who has always taken a great interest in the career of her fellow countrywoman. The Duke and Duchess of Newcastle have also interested themselves in Mille Genee and his Grace gave her away. White flowers were principally employed in the decoration of the church, and, the organ being under repair, the music was rendered by a string orchestra. Mille Genee wore a dress of soft white satin with an overdress of net, embroidered in silver and a plain tulle veil covered a spray of real orange flowers in her hair. She was attended by two small train bearers. Mr Fred. Isitt, nephew of the bridegroom was best man. Mlle Genee will not retire from the stage, but will fulfil existing contracts made for her appearance in America next season. The bridegroom is a member of a well-known firm of land agents. He is a musician, and for several years was honorary organist at the Church of the Good Shepherd (now All Hallows), St Pancras’.
Another article describing the wedding, the New Zealand Herald of the 30th July 1910 says ‘there was a rush for the bride’s carriage when she appeared. 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 lillies 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. 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, Mrs Cunninghame Graham, Lady Colin Campbell, Captain and Mrs Stirling and Mrs Isitt, mother of the groom. 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 gave her 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 Rose, Plate; Earl and Countess of Lonsdale, silver; Mr Alfred de Rothschild, diamond and pearl brooch; Mr and Mrs Arthur Bourchier, breakfast set; 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 recently given by the celebrated premiere danseuse, two large barrels were taken into the room, greatly to the surprise of the hostess and company. They were followed by two American friends, who begged the bride-elect’s acceptance of them as a 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 god-mother, an emerald and diamond scarfpin; Mrs Isitt, his mother, a canteen of plate; the directors of the Empire Theatre, Rose du Barri dessert service; the ladies and gentlemen of the Empire ballet, silver rose bowl; members of the bride’s London company who accompanied her to America, large solid framed mirror, inscribed; members of the bride’s American company, case of twelve silver bon-bon and cake dishes.
1911 Census UK Frank Isitt, aged 44 years old, a surveyor, married is living with his mother, her companion, his sister and three servants in North Hampstead.
1913 – in 1913 Genee had a long tour of Australia and New Zealand. Tnewspapers in New Zealand commented how her husband was related to Mr L. M. Isitt, M. P. and the Rev. F. W. Isitt. One newspaper article of the time in the 18th October 1913 in the Dominion discusses how Genee is constantly asked to witness the dancing of young children. In one article Genee states that the reason why dancers from countries such as Russia, Denmark, Italy and Germany attained such success was due to these countries maintaining Imperial ballets.
Alexander Violinin was a Russian dancer. Genee had performed for most of the crowned heads of Europe at the time. At the time of the New Zealand tour Genee would practice for three hours a day.
In the Southland Times dated 21st June 1913 it informs their readers ‘Adeline Genee has been painted and sculptured by half of the most famous artists of Europe. Her statuettes and pictures have been exhibited at the leading salons in London and on the Continent. Not the least successful of her portraits is the beautiful Holbein drawing of her exhibited in the Royal Academy of 1910, and executed by Charles Ritchie, the Tasmanian artist who has been honoured by receiving several commissions from the King and Royal family. Genee’s wonderful feet have formed the subject of much discussion by scientists and medical bodies in London, and whole lectures have been delivered upon them, dealing with their characteristics and unusual features which have helped to make Genee the great dancer she is. Since her arrival in Melbourne at least three medical men have written Mlle Genee asking to be allowed to have photographs taken of her feet’.
After her final tour in 1914 she retired from dancing, and only occasionally danced after that. She was instrumental in establishing and maintaining standards of the teaching of dance in the UK and the Commonwealth. Another source states that she retired in 1916.
1939 – the Timaru Herald dated 5th January 1940 states that Frank Isitt, hisband of Adeline Genee has died. He was related to a New Zealand Prohibition Campaigner. It states “Frank Isitt liked to tell the story of how he met his wife. It was in the days when peers and millionaires used to wait at the Empire stage door for the stars of the ballet to come down the steps. Other ballerinas had their favourites but Genee was always unapproachable, she always went home alone. Her future husband visited the theatre constantly to see her dance. For 18 months he strove in vain to get even a formal introduction to her. At last he succeeded and in 1910 they had a brilliant marriage. The Duke of Newcastle gave her away and Queen Alexandra sent her a handsome wedding present of diamonds. After a farewell tour to America and Australia, Genee never danced again except for charity. She left the stage to become the wife of a businessman. Instead of dancing to an adoring audience she spent her evening accompanying him to City dinners and Masonic ladies’nights’.
1940 Probate is granted for Frank Seymour Nilsson Isitt of 21 Harley House, Regents Park and 45 Holborn Viaduct, both in London who died on the 8th December 1939 at Sandown Rustington Sussex. Probate London 8th March to Adeline Genee Isitt widow, an accountant and a solicitor. Effects £25413 17s 2d.
1946 Genee was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Music by the London University. It was in recognition of her services to ballet and as the President of the Royal Academy of Dancing. This was the first time that someone associated with ballet had received this distinction.
1950 Adeline Genee became a Dame of the British Empire. She was the only woman mentioned in the New Years honours list in Great Britain for that year. One article informing readers was in the Wanganui Chronicle dated 6th January 1950 stating ‘Genee was the first premiere danseuse of international reputation to visit New Zealand. It was in 1913 the she visited New Zealand with a highly-talented organisation, which included Halina Schmolz, a Russian danseuse of amazing spirit. Genee and those associated with her then gave lovers of the dance the first impression of Russian ballet, soon to become world famous. A dainty Dresden figure, and a dancer of the finest point of refinement and sensitivity, she showed New Zealand for the first time “Coppelia” danced to Delibe’s music. In private life Mrs Isitt, this distinguished woman has been president of the Royal Academy of Dancing, and an adjudicator and examiner for some years past.
1970 – Adeline Genee died at the age of 92 in Esher Surrey on the 23rd April 1970, the amount of her will was £26023.