# The scandalous _Maxixe_ and the night of Corta-Jaca A highly controversial episode involving the *maxixe* became known as "The Night of Corta-Jaca," centering around a Brazilian First Lady: Nair de Teffé, the second wife of the President of the Republic, Marshal Hermes da Fonseca, who governed Brazil from 1910 to 1914. Nair de Teffé Von Hoonholtz (1886-1981) was 27 years old when she married the sexagenarian Marshal. A woman of refined education, she had studied in Paris, Marseille, and Nice. Among her talents, she was an excellent caricaturist (considered the world's first female caricaturist). She published her first work, "The Artist Rejane," in the magazine "_Fon-Fon_" under the pseudonym Rian (Nair spelled backwards). Her caricatures of the elite were also published in periodicals such as _O Binóculo_, _A Careta_, and _O Ken_, as well as newspapers _Gazeta de Notícias_ and _Gazeta de Petrópolis_. Her caricatures appeared in French magazines, and she could also play piano - which was quite progressive for the era. Nevertheless, the young First Lady began to scandalize Rio de Janeiro's conservative society when she started hosting soirées in the halls of the Catete Palace, giving the musician _Catulo da Paixão Cearense_ the opportunity to introduce the guitar - an instrument that had been, until then, banished from Brazil's elite salons. Passionate about popular music, she was intrigued by a comment from Catulo, who said that official receptions only featured foreign music. Thus, on October 26, 1914, taking advantage of the farewell ceremonies for her husband's administration, she made space at an official dinner for Brazilian music, complete with a personal performance. Accompanied by her friend Catulo, they played the *maxixe* "_Corta-Jaca_", written by Chiquinha Gonzaga, for whom the First Lady held great admiration.  The occasion would be recorded in history, with scandalous references appearing in Rio's newspapers, and it came to be known as "The Night of Corta-Jaca." Years later, Rian (the pseudonym) would declare that the party was a success and defined the event with the term "Prafrentex Night" (a playful expression meaning "forward-thinking"), stating that she had challenged a society that valued the erudite over Brazilian popular rhythm. A fact worth mentioning is that Europe already knew the *maxixe*, especially France, where Brazilian artists like the dancer Duque had popularized this sensual dance rhythm that ended up troubling even the high echelons of the Catholic Church, which considered it - along with the Argentine tango - offensive to morality and therefore forbidden to Christians. From that time come hilarious popular verses created by Rio's mocking spirit: _If the Holy Father knew The pleasure that tango brings, He'd come from the Vatican To dance the maxixe too._ The First Lady's audacity and the defenders of the "excommunicated rhythm" generated harsh criticism in newspapers and graffitied walls with caricatures of "_Dudu da Urucubaca_" - a nickname given to the president for being considered unlucky and victim of various crises during his government, such as the [Revolt of the Lash](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolt_of_the_Lash). Even Rui Barbosa, a Senator of the Republic at the time and a regular at cinemas to hear Ernesto Nazareth's recitals, was indignant and delivered an impassioned, almost violent speech in the Federal Senate: "[...] One of yesterday's newspapers printed in facsimile the program of the presidential reception in which, before the diplomatic corps and Rio de Janeiro's finest society, those who should give the country an example of the most distinguished manners and most reserved customs elevated the Corta-Jaca to the height of a social institution. But this _Corta-Jaca_ that I had heard about long ago, what does it amount to, Mr. President? The lowest, most vulgar, most coarse of all savage dances, the twin sister of _batuque_, _cateretê_, and _samba_. Yet at presidential receptions, the _Corta-Jaca_ is performed with all the honors of Wagner's music, and they don't want this country's conscience to revolt, our faces to blush with shame, and our youth to laugh in derision?" ![[Maxixe2.jpg]] ![[Maxixe4.jpg]] ![[Maxixe1.jpg]] ![[Maxixe3.jpg]] [sources (text and picture)](https://confrariadobaraodegourmandise.blogspot.com/2014/07/o-escandaloso-maxixe-e-noite-do-corta.html)