Arnould, Sophie (1740–1802)
Arnould, Sophie (1740–1802)
French operatic singer, who performed for two decades. Pronunciation: Ar'-nau. Born Madeleine-SophieArnould on February 13, 1740, in Paris; died on October 22, 1802, in Paris; studied with Marie Fel and Mademoiselle Hippolyte Clarion.
Sophie Arnould was renowned for her beauty and sharp wit, but she also held the diva's place in the spotlight for two decades in the 18th century. Born in Paris, Arnould had the opportunity to study with voice trainers Marie Fel and Mademoiselle Hippolyte Clarion . She joined the Chapelle Royale, and, on December 15, 1757, at age 17, Arnould made her operatic debut. The soprano performed most notably in operas by Raneau and Gluck; Gluck's Iphigénie en Aulide is most often associated with Arnould. When she was still only 38, Arnould retired from the stage. Her home in Paris became a salon for writers of the time: Rousseau, Diderot and d'Alembert were known to frequent her rooms. She died in October of 1802, at 62 years of age.
Crista Martin , Boston, Massachusetts