Carvalho, Marie Caroline Felix

1827-1895

Famous singer, who appeared on the operatic stage simultaneously with Mile. Tietjens, about 1849, and became the foremost lyric artist on the French stage. She was born at Marseilles and was the daughter of Felix Miolan, an oboe-player, who gave her a good musical education. She entered the Paris Conservatory, where she gained the first prize for singing in 1843. She remained there until 1847. Her first appearance was made at a performance for the benefit of her teacher, Duprez. She sang in the first act of Lucia and in the trio in the second act of La Juive. In 18,53 she married Leon Carvaille, ge'nerally known as Carvalho, who became director of the Opera Comique. She was destined to sing for many years at that theatre and also at the Grand Opera, Paris. She is said to have made her reputation as Isabella in Le Pre aux Clercs, although Marguerite in Faust was considered one of her great impersonations. She made her first appearance at the Lyrique in the new opera La Fanchonnette, and also appeared as Cherubino, as Zerlina in Don Giovanni, in Romeo and Juliette and other operas. Her voice was high and thin, but she handled it with the greatest skill and delicacy. Chorley gave her the most extravagant praise for her impersonation of Marguerite, and called her " an exquisitely-finished artist, with sensibility combined with rare execution." Her first appearance in England was made as Dinorah in Pardon de Ploermel and was a great success. She also sang frequently in Berlin, St. Petersburg and other cities. Her last appearance took place in 1887, two years after her retirement from the stage, and was also a benefit, to aid the sufferers in the fire at the Opera Comique. On this occasion she sang with Faure. Her husband was imprisoned and fined at the time of the fire, as the accident was a result of managerial carelessness. Two brothers of Mme. Carvalho were also musicians. Amedee Felix was an orchestral conductor, and Alexandre, a professor of organ and harmonium, was attached to the Lyrique for several years.