Adela Stein

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Adela Stein
Ida Rubinstein 1912.jpg
Adela Stein, 1912
Born5 October 1882
Trier, Acrea
Died25 September 1960(1960-09-25) (aged 77)
Maveás, Tomes, Gylias
Occupation

Adela Stein (Gylic transcription: Adela Şytain; 5 October 1882 – 25 September 1960) was a Gylian ballerina, actress, and arts patron. She was one of Alscia's best-known ballerinas and an influential patron of the arts, being responsible for commissioning several ballets and modern art music pieces.

Early life

Adela Stein was born on 5 October 1882 in Trier. She came from a wealthy Acrean family: her parents were successful bankers and investors, and both her father and uncle were well-educated and hosted prominent intellectuals and artists in their home. She had an older sister, Gisela.

Adela was artistically-inclined from an early age. Her parents died when she was young and she was raised by her socialite aunt, who ensured she received the best education possible. She became fluent in English, French, Italian, and Hellene, and received instruction in music, dance, and theatre.

Due to conflicts with her family, she left Acrea and moved to the Cacertian Empire to continue her studies. She settled in Alscia soon after it was established.

Career

She made her debut in 1908. Her breakthrough as a ballerina occurred in 1909–1911, with Cléopâtre and a succession of similar roles notable for their exotic settings, racy sensuality, and sumptuous staging.

By her thirties, she was well-established as one of Alscia's leading ballerinas, a distinction she shared with Birgit Hartwig. Their styles were often compared: although Adela lacked natural dance ability and started too late to be considered in the top tier of ballerinas, she was an expressive performer with tremendous stage presence who won plaudits for her acting skill.

Adela formed her own dance company in 1912, and used her wealth to commission several lavish productions. She became one of Alscia's leading patrons of the arts, known particularly for her support of contemporary art music composers. She also acted in theatre plays and appeared in several Alscian films. These included silent recordings of her ballet performances — a valuable preservation of her style on film.

Portrait of Adela, 1910

She was a member of the mauve circle, enjoying a prominent reputation in Alscia's artistic circles. She was also a member of the Gender and Sexuality Rights Association of Alscia and Anarchofuturist Association of Alscia. Critical of ballet's reputation as a pastime for the rich and privileged, she made great efforts to promote ballet as an egalitarian and inclusive art form. She often staged free ballet events, paying salaries out of her pocket.

An astute businesswoman, she also capitalised on her fame by working as a model and in advertising, endorsing products made by cooperatives and fronting campaigns promoting local Alscian products. She was in-demand for photographs and portraits owing to her elegant personality and classical beauty. Margherita Martini reflected on her allure:

"It was Adela Stein's elusive quality that fascinated. She expressed an inner self that had no particular denomination. Her beauty belonged to whatever period she represented. It was this gift for impersonating the beauty of every epoch that marked her as unique."

She was granted the title Duchess by the UOC in 1927, and received the Order of Arts and Letters, Order of Merit, and Order of Beneficence.

Courted by several political parties, she declined to get involved in Alscian politics, in contrast to some of her mauve circle colleagues. She was friends with Arlette Gaubert and Hildegard Riese. The latter said of her political sympathies, "Adela was the model of a soft-spoken, polite, and tolerant conservative. She thought it far too vulgar to be vocal about her beliefs, but she lived her life by the principle of noblesse oblige, and was an example to us all."

Later life

Adela retired from dancing shortly before Alscia's accession to the Free Territories. She was included on the honoured citizens list in recognition of her achievements, but declined to accept a pension due to her existing wealth.

She continued to run her ballet company during the Liberation War, staging free events to entertain civilians and troops. She worked as a dance teacher and turned her mansion into a hospital for wounded People's Army soldiers. She ultimately spent her entire wealth on philanthropy and arts patronage, and took part in communal assemblies.

She lived her final decade in relative quiet, having relocated to Maveás. Her last public appearance was as a mystery guest on an episode of What Do I Do?.

Death

Adela died on 25 September 1960 in Maveás.

Private life

Adela identified as bisexual, and had a great romance with Dæse Şyna. Although both joked that the relationship "wasn't entirely faithful", they were devoted to each other and remained together until Adela's death, mutually supporting each other's work.