The Hermit of Passy

Widely considered the most beautiful woman of her day, the Countess de Castiglione was sent to Paris to win Emperor Napoleon III’s interest in the cause of Italian unification with instructions to “succeed by whatever means you wish—but succeed!” She caused a sensation at the French court and quickly—if briefly—became the emperor’s mistress. She appeared on stage only once—at a charity gala. The audience expected something scandalous, but instead, the countess appeared as a Carmelite nun kneeling in a grotto while a violinist played Chopin’s funeral march.