Hortense Schneider

Hortense Catherine Schneider, "La Snédèr", (April 30, 1833 - May 6, 1920) was a French soprano, the greatest operetta star of the 19th century, particularly associated with the works of composer Jacques Offenbach. Born in Bordeaux, where she studied with Schaffner, she made her debut in Agen in 1853, as Ines in "La favorite".

She came to Paris and was turned down by the director of the Théâtre des Variétés but was noticed by Jacques Offenbach who invited her at the Bouffes-Parisiens, where she made her debut in 1855. She enjoyed immediate success and created for Offenbach the role of Boulotte in "Barbe-bleue" and the title roles in "La belle Hélène", "La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein" and "La Périchole", all resounding triumphs. She also appeared in London and Saint Petersburg, to great acclaim.

An accomplished singer and actress, she was much admired for her brio and verve on stage, was the toast of the Second Empire and a favorite of royal visitors to Paris. "La Snédèr" was reputedly one of King Edward VII's mistresses (because of the favors which she liberally granted to the members of the nobility, she was known as "Le Passage des Princes".). [cite book|last=Friedman|first=Dennis|title=Ladies of the Bedchamber|publisher=Peter Owens Publishers|location=London|year=2003|isbn=0720612446|pages=p.100] . She retired in 1878, after her marriage, and died in Paris over forty years later at age 87.

ources

* "Le guide de l'opéra", Roland Mancini & Jean-Jacques Rouveroux, (Fayard, 1986) ISBN 2-213-01563-6
* "La diva d'Offenbach. Hortense Schneider (1833–1920)", Jean-Paul Bonami, (Romillat,2004) ISBN 2-87894-080-6
* Peter Hawig: "Hortense Schneider. Bedingungen und Stationen einer Erfolgsbiographie". Bad Emser Hefte, Nr. 258. VGDL, Bad Ems 2006, 47 S.
*cite book|last=Friedman|first=Dennis|authorlink=Dennis Friedman|title=Ladies of the Bedchamber|publisher=Peter Owen Publishers|location=London|year=2003