Claudius Modjesko: The Creole Patti

Claudius Modjesko: Die Kreolische Patti

Born Edward Claude Thompson on December 26th, 1878 in Beaufort, South Carolina. In the late summer of 1893, the Sea Islands Hurricane devastated the Southeastern coast of the United States. Beaufort was especially hit hard, leaving much of the African-American community out of work. 

In 1894, at age 15, Claude began performing as a female impersonator (simply donning evening dresses), possibly in minstrel shows around the Southeastern United States. Three years later, by 1896/97, he had begun donning wigs and applying makeup. Audiences usually were unable to distinguish him from the other women in the show. 

Rome (1898)

By late-1898, received the opportunity to sail overseas to Europe. After a short period in Paris, he left for Rome. In various interviews, Claude claimed to have studied voice at an Italian music conservatory with a "Maestro Mantini". Instead, he roamed the streets of the Italian capital under the pseudonym of Rajah Kanjit Sinhji, soliciting sex from wealthy Italian male clientele. That winter, he began a relationship with, Mantissal, an advisor for the American Embassy. Eventually the relationship turned to Claude threatening to blackmail Mantissal in exchange for money.

Budapest passport (1899)

On October 21, 1899, Claude arrived in Budapest, moving into the Szallodaban Jozef Foherceg (Archduke Joseph Hotel), where for the next 22 days he began relationships with various Hungarian men, later ending with him extorting them for money. Eventually, on November 10th, Claude auditioned and landed a job as a female impersonator at the popular Etablissement Somossy Mulato. He also struck up a friendship with another African-American performer, Edgar Jones, who was also performing at the cabaret. For months, Claude had been the subject of an ongoing investigation involving the Italian government and the American Embassy. He was finally arrested on November 13th and imprisoned for seven days. After intense interrogation, he finally admitted his true identity to the Budapest's American Ambassador. On November 20th, Claude finally made his debut at the Etablissement Somossy. However, on the 22nd, he received his American passport and fled the city after only appearing for three days. 

1898:

Sails to Europe (October)

1899:

Budapest, Hungary- Archduke Joseph Hotel (October 21)

Budapest, Hungary- Etablissement Somossy Mulato (November 20-22)

Stockholm (June 1902)

Claude doesn't reappear until March 1902, performing for a week at Copenhagen's Cirkus Variete as "Modjesko: the Creole Patti". For the next 11 months, he successfully toured across Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Russia. For a brief period, at the beginning of the tour, he often accompanied the African-American entertainer and bandleader, Geo Jackson. In June, he appeared at Stockholm's Crystal Salon, and gave a series of interviews with various Swedish newspapers. He claimed to originate from Bombay, son of a Indian woman and British nobleman who sent him to London at age 3 and later Italy at age 10 to study music. In the fall, Modjesko appeared for three months at Stockholm's Mosebacke Variete, performing duets with the tenor singer, Khan Leopold. During this successful engagement, on October 16, Modjesko's personal valet, an African-American named Joseph Thomas was arrested after being caught stealing backstage.

1902:

Copenhagen, Denmark- Cirkus Variete (March 17-24)

Kristiania, Norway- Cirkus Variete (April 7-May 6)

Kristiania, Norway- Tivoli Haven (May 20)

Stockholm, Sweden- "Summer Revue" Kristallsalongen (June 18-July 12)

Gothenburg, Sweden- Lorensbergs Sommerteater (July 18-31)

Moscow, Russia (August)

Stockholm, Sweden- Mosebacke Variete (October 2-December 31)

1903:

Norrkoping, Sweden- Central Hotellet (January 5-15)

Berlin, Germany (May 8)

Lemberg, Austria- Colosseum Hermanow (May 16-29)

Teplitz, Austria- Variete Schwann (June 20-30)

Brauschweig, Germany (September)

Rome (November 1905)

Early 1905, the Creole Patti was residing west of the German capital at 7 Viktoria-Luise in the comfortable town of Schöneberg. On May 15th, 1905, Modjesko was issued a passport from Berlin's American Embassy for immediate passage to Russia, possibly performing in Moscow despite the ‘05 Revolution raging. From there, he made his way across to Belgium in mid-June for a week. The following month was spent touring across the Netherlands. On August 16th, he debuted at Paris' popular Olympia Musichall, where he shared the bill with Mata Hari, a brand-new exotic East-Indian dancer that had been taking Paris by storm since 1903. After receiving a new passport from the American Consul on August 30th, Modjesko departed in mid-September to Marseille before returning the French capital in October. In November, he departed for Italy, where he distributed signed copies of his publicity shots dressed in beautiful, dramatic gowns and jewelry he had acquired over the course of his tour. He completed the year back in the Netherlands, appearing in The Hague's Scala Theater on December 19th. 

Modjesko on a German postcard (1906)

On March 1st, 1906, Modjesko was back in Paris, headlining at the Alhambra  for another month, before moving on towards engagements in Germany and Italy. On April 24th, shortly after returning home to Berlin, Modjesko wrote a series of letters from his residence at 89 Mauerstraße (located in the middle-class Friedrichstadt District) to British impresarios, particularly a Mr. R. Ruddleslone of Blackpool’s Wintergarden, insisting that he was the only Creole female impersonator on the continent and hoped for a offer of an engagement in Britain during the summer season. Afterwards, Modjesko departed for another small German tour before finally opening in London in August, where he debuted a new song, “My Brazilian Boy” penned for him by the popular African-American composer, Harry Wellmon, whom had recently immigrated to England from the restricting racist American continent. On August 3rd, Wellmon composed another song, “My Blue-Eyed Jane”, which Modjesko performed upon debuting at the Hammersmith Palace Theatre on August 17th. It's unknown if he was engaged in Blackpool, however by the 24th, Modjesko was engaged in Brixton, September 14th at Oxford’s Chelsea Palace Theatre, September 28th at London's Metropolitan Theatre and finally an appearance at the Royal Standard Theatre on October 4th before sailing back to the continent, where he completed the year performing in Hamburg and Rotterdam.

Rotterdam - painting by L. Pissarro (1907)

In February, while in Paris on business, accompanied by his personal couturier, Arthur Brownton, Modjesko was approached by two 20-year old German men, whom called themselves Theodore Frigge and Schmidt. Frigge was really, Herman Otto Ludwig Scholkemeyer, born April 5, 1886 in Seesen, a small town near Hannover. He later settled Wittenberg and Magdeburg, where learned French and English. He first met Modjesko, at age 17 at cabaret in Brauschweig sometime in September 1903. Schmidt was really, Richard Winther, born c. 1886 in Bremen. The two men roamed around Germany, seeking ways to make easy money and running scams. Eventually the two men spent time in Italy, Egypt and Algeria before traveling to France. The two men joined Modjesko's troupe and accompanied him throughout Europe. In March, Modjesko was in Elberfeld, Germany for a week. While the Creole Patti performed, the two men were around town, running scams. Before the engagement was over, they presented Modjesko with a beautiful 400 Franc ring. On March 22, the troupe arrived in London, where Modjesko rented a home at 1 Brook Street, Kennington Road. For the next two weeks, they vacationed in London, while the Creole Patti scrambled to obtain a British booking. On April 8th, they arrived in Gothenburg, Sweden and boarded a train to Stockholm, where they checked into the Hotell Royal. Mrs. Hagman, the directrice of the hotel, quickly became suspicious of the three men and a female impersonator sharing a suite in the luxurious hotel. Eventually Modjesko grew tired of the men, and abandoning them in Scandinavia, fled with his couturier to Belgium on May 24th, where he had a months contract at Brussel's Palais d'Ete. Meanwhile, back in Sweden, on June 26th, Frigge and Schmidt robbed and murdered a Swedish postman named Olsson, fleeing with 700 Kroner only to be caught by the authorities the following day. Modjesko spent the month of July touring across the Netherlands. During this time, he became French Impressionist, Ludovic Pissarro and Dutch Fauvist, Kees van Dongen, who were both so intrigued by with the popular female impersonator, that before long nights onstage, Modjesko found himself being painted by such influential men in the European art scene. Later in the summer, Modjesko embarked on a tour deeper within the European continent. In August, Modjesko resumed his continental tour for two more months, although where he was engaged is unknown. 

Leon Cazauran (1907)

On October 8th, 1907, he was in Liverpool to board the S.S. Caronia on a journey back home to America for the first time in nine years. Upon arriving in New York eight days later, he secured an room at 253 West 30th Street. He was now employed as the personal secretary of the 28-year old French tenor singer, Léon Cazauran from Bayonne (or Bordeaux according to his ship records), who had successfully toured across Southern France, Italy, Algeria and Egypt. In 1906, he had even recorded in Milan. The relationship between the two entertainers is unknown, but the two may have met sometime between 1905-07 in either France or Italy. It's possible that the two were even lovers. 

Central Park

Cazauran finally arrived ten days later  on October 27th aboard the S.S. Kaiserin Auguste Victoria with a contract with the Hammerstein Company to perform in “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” and “Thaïs” at the Manhattan Opera House. Cazauran opened at the Manhattan Opera on November 4th, meanwhile, the duo began frequenting Central Park, strolling through the park together, as Cazauran enjoyed chatting with young boys hanging out at the Monkey House. On November 16th, their activities sparked curiosity in private detective, James J. Cain, who promptly arrested the Cazauran on the charges of corrupted the morals of 12 year old, Eugene Nash. Cazauran, who only spoke French, Spanish and Italian, was constantly shouting, “Eet is amazing!” before rambling on to Modjesko and the judge. Modjesko, who understood what harm an American jury could do to a African-American, took this opportunity to immediately take control of the situation, claiming that he hardly knew English himself, as he claimed he was originally from French West Africa and presented to the court nearly $1000 in bills. The courts immediately decided to drop the charges, however after a brief search of the men, fined Modjesko $10 after discovering a distasteful French nude photograph in his possession. The duo immediately fled back to Cazauran’s apartment at 247 West 34th Street, where they were the following day swamped by journalists. “The arrest won't hurt me much, except in this country, but for Cazauran it is a great tragedy” said Modjesko. “Innocent or guilty, the arrest on such a charge destroys his career. Mr. Hammerstein notified him today that he could not keep his engagement him.” Hammerstein immediately replaced Cazauran with Charles Dalmorès, who learned the role within two weeks. Although in December, Cazauran was allowed to appear in “Don Giovanni”, Modjesko promptly broke off his relationship with Cazauran, packed his bags and returned home to Europe.

1905:

Berlin, Germany- American Embassy (May 15)

Brussels, Belgium- Palais d'Ete (June 24-29)

Rotterdam, Holland- Variete Pflaging (July 29)

Paris, France- Olympia Musichall (August 16-September 21)

Marseille, France- Alcazar Leon Doux (September 22-October 5)

Paris, France- Olympia Musichall (October 6-November 19)

Rome, Italy (November 22)

The Hague, Holland- Scala Theater (December 19)

1906:

Paris, France- Alhambra Musichall (March 1-26)

Dortmund, Germany- Olympic Theater (March 24)

Paris, France- Alhambra Musichall (April 1-17)

Rome, Italy- Etablissement Olympias (April 18)

Paris, France- Alhambra Musichall (April 20-26)

Berlin, Germany (April 24)

Dusseldorf, Germany- Apollo Theater (May 25)

London, England- Hammersmith Palace Theatre (August 17-20)

Brixton, England (August 24-25)

Oxford, England- Chelsea Palace Theatre (September 14-21)

London, England- Metropolitan Theatre (September 28-October 4)

London, England- Royal Standard Theatre (October 5-6)

Hamburg, Germany- Flora Kabarett (November 1-4)

Rotterdam, Holland- Circus Variete (December 14-17)

1907:

Paris, France (February)

Elberfeld, Germany (March 1-7)

London, England (March 22-April 5)

Gothenburg, Sweden (April 8)

Stockholm, Sweden- Hotell Royal (April 8-May 23)

Brussels, Belgium- Palais d'Ete (May 24-June 21)

Amsterdam, Holland- Variete Flora (June 28-July 19)

Rotterdam, Holland- Variete Pflaging (July 26)

Liverpool, England- sails on the SS Caronia back to New York (October 8-16)

New York City, New York- sails back to Europe (December ?)

Paris - painting by K. van Dongen (1907)

On January 23rd, 1908, Modjesko was back in Paris at the Théâtre Scala for a month of whirlwind success. On February, for a brief four days, he was engaged at Antwerp’s Scala Theatre before returning to Paris. Unfortunately, news of the Monkey House incident had reached Western European newspapers. It's unknown how Europeans directors perceived the incident, but Modjesko's contracts in Western Europe began dwindling. He spent the rest of the year touring around France, Switzerland and the Netherlands. 

By 1909, seems to Modjesko have relocated permanently to Central and Eastern Europe, touring frequently between Austria, Hungary and Romania under the new pseudonym, "Claudino". That fall, he returned to Paris, appearing at the Parisiana cabaret for a month. Afterwards he returned east, travelling around Vienna and Prague with the Austrian performer, Pepi Weiss that winter. The Spring of 1910, he appeared in Graz, Budapest (with the Afro-American duo Fredy & Rudy Walker) and Bucharest. In the summer of 1911, while appearing in the Austrian spa town of Karlsbad, he received a passport to enter the Russian Empire. However, on September 11th, he boarded the SS Virginian from Liverpool heading towards Montreal. He's not mentioned appearing anywhere in Canada however. He's back in Europe be the spring of 1912, performing at Prague's Hotel Zentral. 

1908:

Paris, France- Theatre La Scala (January 23- February 28)

Antwerp, Belgium- Scala Theatre (February 15-18)

Basel, Switzerland- Cardinal Theater (April 1-6)

Scheveningen, Holland- Theaterzaal Kurhaus (August 12-28)

Rotterdam, Holland- Casino Variete (September 19)

1909:

Paris, France- Parisiana Cabaret (September 1-October 18)

Vienna, Austria- Etablissement Gartenbau (December 16)

Prague, Austria- Hotel Zentral (December 18)

1910:

Graz, Austria- Grazer Orpheum (March 1-15)

Budapest, Hungary- American Consulate (March 22)

1911:

Karlsbad, Austria- American Consulate (July 5)

Liverpool, England- sails on the SS Virginian to Montreal (September 11)

1912:

Prague, Austria- Hotel Central (April 3-7)

Scenes of Cairo (1914-1916)

After six months in France (according to his passport), Modjesko travelled south to Egypt, arriving a month before the outbreak of WWI. For the duration of the war, he established a residence in the Egyptian capital and toured around the crumbling Ottoman Empire. In January 1920, he began frequently appearing in cabarets and hotels around Beirut. Returning to Cairo in June, he received a new passport from the American Consulate and mentioned his plans of organizing a troupe to take back to Beirut with him for the opening of a new cafe-chantant that Fall. Afterwards, Modjesko disappears, only reappearing briefly on October 13th, 1921 to register with Cairo's American Consulate.

1914:

Arrives in Cairo, Egypt (June 4)

Cairo, Egypt- American Consulate (November 14)

1920:

Arrives in Beirut, Lebanon (January 23)

Beirut, Lebanon- American Consulte (May 11)

Returns to Cairo (June 11)

Cairo Egypt- American Consulate (August 2)

1921:

Cairo, Egypt- American Consulate (October 13)

Cairo - Passport photo (1920)