Poster announcing the parade of Rex, King of Carnival, in 1872. (Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Mardi Gras is a celebration with a rich musical tradition, one that even includes a Russian Grand Duke. How did a younger son of the Emperor and Autocrat of All The Russias become a part of the history of Mardi Gras in New Orleans?
It’s a long story.
Rex, King of Carnival, first paraded through the streets of New Orleans in 1872. The School of Design was formed to add an organized daytime celebration to the then-established Mystick Krewe of Comus parade that was formed in 1857. While Comus ruled the night, Carnival Day was still a chaotic street brawl.
The School of Design planned a day parade, and their king, simply named “Rex,” was designated the “King of Carnival.” The parade, which had been in the planning stages for several months, got word shortly before Carnival that an important VIP was coming to town.
Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich Romonav in his early 20s (Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich Romonav, fourth son of Tsar Alexander II, was trained to be an officer in the Imperial Russian Navy. When US Admiral (and Civil War hero) David Farragut visited Russia in 1867, it was naturally assumed that the Russians would reciprocate. The Tsar sent his son Alexi, who was 21 at the time. Alexi arrived in the US in the fall of 1871, traveling around the east coast and midwest, even hunting buffalo in Nebraska with General George A. Custer.
Being a 22-year old single guy who already had a scandalous affair back home, Alexi engaged in some amorous pursuits, most notably a singer named Lydia Thompson. Thompson was touring the US with her burlesque troupe, “The British Blondes.”
In early 1872, their show, “Bluebeard,“, made its way to New Orleans. It was no coincidence that several of the stops on Alexi’s tour happened in cities where Lydia was performing. “Bluebeard” was in New Orleans just before Mardi Gras, being staged at the Academy of Music (located at the time on St. Charles Avenue, between Perdido and Poydras Streets).
Lotta Crabtree. (Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Given that New Orleans was the second largest port in the nation, and that the Russian squadron that brought Alexi to the US was anchored in Pensacola Bay, a stop in New Orleans was quite logical. The burlesque troupe used the rumors of the relationship between Alexi and Lydia to boost attendance. Even though Alexi did not see Lydia perform in New Orleans, she sang to a sell-out crowd.
Alexi’s interest changed direction by Mardi Gras, however, focusing on Lotta Crabtree, an actress with a traveling company that was performing a play, “The Little Detective.”
That’s where the School of Design enters into the picture. The organization saw Alexi’s visit as a huge boost to their inaugural parade, as the city invited the Grand Duke to review the parade and participate in our Carnival celebration. The King of Carnival did not yet have his signature float on which to ride through the streets, so he rode on horseback. That first parade did have a number of floats and marching bands.
Sheet music for early edition of "If Ever I Cease To Love" (Photo Credit: RexOrganization.com)
One of the songs in Lydia’s repetoire was the tune “If Ever I Cease To Love,” a comedic song written by George Leybourne, who also wrote “The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze.” “If Ever I Cease To Love” was a silly little song, but it was popular music. The song was already known in the city, and the New Orleans Picayune had even done a spoof of its lyrics the year before.
Naturally, several of the bands played “If Ever I Ceased To Love,” since it had a catchy melody and people were making up their own silly lyrics. Unlike some accounts of that first parade, the bands did not play “If Ever I Cease To Love” for Alexi; they played the Russian national anthem instead. They did play it, along with other songs, for Rex, after he dismounted on Canal Street.
So, the King of Carnival reigned over real royalty from the outset, even if that royal was a 22-year old Lieutenant in the Russian Navy. Rex would later host British Royalty, in the persons of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, after World War II.
Grand Duke Alexi, later in life, as a Russian admiral. (Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons)
In a bit of a Mardi Gras reversal, Louis Armstrong (who was once the Zulu King), while performing for the Duke of Windsor’s younger brother (who was then King George VI), directly addressed His Majesty. It’s usually not done, but Satchmo wasn’t one for a lot of formality and ceremony. Looking up at the royal box, he nodded and said, “this one’s for you, Rex.” Satchmo then proceeded to play “You Rascal You.”
Grand Duke Alexi left the US to return from Russia the following week. Lydia Thompson went on to continue a successful singing and burlesque management career. Lotta Crabtree eventually became one of the wealthiest actresses in the US.
Alexi eventually became commander in chief of the Russian Navy, re-organizing and modernizing it. He was forced to resign his post and retire after the disastrous Battle of Tsushima in the Russo-Japanese war of 1904. He died in 1905.
And, after great fanfare, Rex, King of Carnival, still enters his ballroom on Mardi Gras night to the strains of “If Ever I Cease To Love,” while NOLA folks continue to add new, and ever sillier, verses to the song.
Do you have a crazy verse for If Ever I Cease To Love? Tell us in the comment section!
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