Contat, Louise (1760–1813)

views updated

Contat, Louise (1760–1813)

French actress. Born Louise Françoise Contat in 1760; died in 1813; sister of Marie Contat (1769–1846); married a nephew of the poet de Parny.

French actress and sister of Marie Contat , Louise Françoise Contat made her debut at the Comédie Française in 1766 as Atalide in Bajazet. Her initial successes, however, were in comedy, playing Suzanne in Beaumarchais' Mariage de Figaro and lending importance to several other minor parts. As the soubrette in the plays of Molière and Marivaux, she found opportunities fitted specifically to her talents. Contat retired in 1809 and married a nephew of the poet de Parny.

More From encyclopedia.com