Rachel - Rachel (English spelling)

French tragic actress. Her real name was Elisabeth Félix. She was born to a poor Jewish peddler in Switzerland. At the age of 10, she was recognized for singing on the street and entered music school, but soon switched to acting. She studied at the Conservatoire in Paris and entered the Comédie-Française at the age of 17. She made her debut in 1838 as Camille in Corneille's Horace, and gained popularity. She then performed mainly in classical tragedies such as Racine's Phèdre and Andromaque, reviving classical tragedy, which had been on the decline, and took the world by storm. Although she had a thin face and delicate body, her presence, powerful voice, and rich, harmonious expression of emotions made her a great actress, and she toured Russia, England, and America, becoming the first international actress.

[Hiroshi Ito]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

フランスの悲劇女優。本名Elisabeth Félix。スイスの貧しいユダヤ人行商人の家に生まれる。10歳のとき街頭で歌っているのを認められ音楽学校に入るが、まもなく演劇に転向。パリのコンセルバトアールに学び、17歳でコメディ・フランセーズに入る。1838年コルネイユ作『オラース』のカミーユ役でデビュー、人気を博す。その後ラシーヌ作『フェードル』『アンドロマック』などおもに古典悲劇を演じ、下火だった古典悲劇を復活させ、一世を風靡(ふうび)した。細面、華奢(きゃしゃ)な体だったが、その存在感、太い声、豊かで調和のとれた感情表現などで名女優とうたわれ、ロシア、イギリス、アメリカに巡演、国際派女優の最初でもあった。

［伊藤　洋］

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