Dugazon, Mme. Rosalie

1753-1821

Vocalist, whose maiden name was Lefevre. She was born in Berlin and went to Paris when a child of eight years. She was not a trained singer, but had great charm and made a success with her impersonations in various comic operas and operettas. Together with a sister she began her career as a ballet-dancer at the Comedie Italienne, Paris, and her first appearance as a singer was made at that theatre in 1774, when she sang the role of Pauline in Gretry's Sylvain. Her best impersonation was Nina in Dalayrac's opera of that name, but she was obliged to retire from the stage during the Revolution. She returned to it in 1795 and played continuously and with success until 1806. To this day the classes of roles in which she was seen are called jeunes Dugazon and meres Dugazon. In 1806 she retired froin the stage. A son, Gustave, was a pianist and composer who wrote several successful operas and ballets.