Mademoiselle Petitpas (last name pronounced ; c. 1710 - 24 October 1739) was a French comedian and operatic soprano.
Early life Petitpas was born circa 1710 to a Parisian father (a locksmith) and an unknown mother.
Career She debuted as a comedian in 1723 at the Saint-Germain fair, and soon after that at the Saint-Laurent fair's Comic Opera. In 1732, she met a known financier, Joseph Bonnier de la Mosson, who was the general treasurer of Languedoc provinces and had the title of "Maréchal général des logis des camps et armées du roi" (translated as "Marshal General of the King's camps and armies", and later referred as "Marshal General of France"). She first moved into Bonnier's , in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, and then later on in his castle in Montpellier, where many lavish parties were organised, despite the shock of the bishop of Montpellier Charles Colbert. After a brief stint as a performer in France, Petitpas left for England. When she came back in April 1734, Petitpas was both acclaimed for her talents and the object of conversations due to her affair with Bonnier. In 1735, Colbert wrote to Bonnier that everyone knows that he and Petitpas are living similarly to a married couple without being married. He continued by saying that no one can avoid Bonnier and Petitpas' sinful way of living. Finally, Colbert asked him to evict Petitpas – which Bonnier firmly refused. However, because of the growing scandals and talks about their relationship, Bonnier and Petitpas left Montpellier for Paris. Bonnier's family opposed to the affair, but he was decided to marry Petitpas nonetheless. He prepared in her honour a lavish feast in , where a ballet was to be performed. Unfortunately, Petitpas was not able to join.
Death Aged 30, she died of phthisis in Paris on 24 October 1739 and was buried in Saint-Eustache.
Roles OperaComposerRole(s)Date of premiere or revivalLocationL'Europe galanteAndré CampraZaïde6 November 1725 (revival)Théâtre du Palais-Royal (Académie royale de musique)Pirame et ThisbéFrançois Francoeur and François RebelThisbé1727Théâtre du Palais-Royal (Académie royale de musique)Les Amours des DéessesJean-Baptiste-Maurice QuinaultEuphrosine9 August 1729Académie Royale de MusiquePhaétonJean-Baptiste LullyAstrée21 December 1730 (revival)Académie royale de musiquePyrrhusJoseph-Nicolas-Pancrace RoyerIsmène1730Théâtre du Palais-Royal (Académie royale de musique)CallirhoéAndré Cardinal DestouchesJanuary 2nd, 1732 (revival)Théâtre du Palais-RoyalJephtéMichel Pignolet de MontéclairVénus1732 (20 or 28 February)Académie royale de musiqueLes SensJean-Joseph MouretZéphire; Céphise in the 14 August 1732 added entryfirst version 5 June 1732, second version 14 August 1732Académie royale de musiqueBiblisLouis LacosteAmphitrite6 November 1732Académie royale de musiqueCadmus et HermioneJean-Baptiste LullyCharité22 August 1733 (revival)Hippolyte et AricieJean-Philippe RameauLa Grande Prêtresse de Diane/Une bergère/Une matelote/Une chasseresse1733Théâtre du Palais-Royal (Académie royale de musique)Festes Grecques et RomainesFrançois Colin de BlamontMélisse9 February 1734 – new entry:La Fête de DianeAcadémie royale de musiqueIphigénie en TaurideHenri Desmarets and André CampraElectra1734 (revival)Théâtre du Palais-Royal (Académie royale de musique)Les GrâcesJean-Joseph MouretThéodore5 May 1735Académie royale de musiqueLes ÉlémentsMichel Richard Delalande and André Cardinal Destouches27 May 1734 (revival)Académie royale de musiqueLes Indes galantesJean-Philippe RameauL'Amour/Fatime (versions of 1735 and 1736)First version 23 August 1735 and second version 10 March 1736Théâtre du Palais-Royal (Académie royale de musique)Les Triomphes de l'Harmoniel'Harmonie; Eurydice9 May 1737Académie royale de musiqueCastor et PolluxJean-Philippe RameauUn Plaisir céleste/une Ombre heureuse/une Planète24 October 1737Théâtre du Palais-Royal (Académie royale de musique)
References