Caroline Wuiet facts for kids
Caroline Wuiet (also known as Vuyet or Vuïet), who later became Baronne Aufdiener, was a talented French journalist, novelist, and composer. She was especially famous for writing operas. She was born on August 17, 1766, and passed away on May 22, 1835.
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A Young Talent
Caroline Wuiet was born in Rambouillet, France. Her father was an organist. When she was just five years old, people already saw her as a child genius. She was even introduced to Queen Marie-Antoinette by Princess de Lamballe. The Queen was so impressed that she treated Caroline like an adopted daughter. She made sure Caroline received a great education in the arts. Caroline studied music with André Grétry, painting with Greuze, and theater with Beaumarchais.
Early Career and Challenges
Caroline Wuiet started her career as a composer and writer at age eighteen. Her first opera, Le Trompeur trompé, was not performed, which was disappointing. However, she soon got a chance to write a follow-up to a popular opera called L'Épreuve villageoise. She wrote both the music and the story for her new opera, L'Heureuse erreur, and it was a success!
Later, Caroline became a concert pianist. Queen Marie-Antoinette continued to support her. During the French Revolution, Caroline, who supported the King and Queen, had to go into hiding. She stayed hidden through a very difficult time called the Reign of Terror. She even kept journals about her experiences during those years.
Later Life and Works
After the French Revolution, Caroline started composing again. Her sonatas (musical pieces) became quite popular. Around this time, she also started her own newspaper and wrote for other publications.
In 1807, she married Colonel Baron Joseph Auffdiener. They moved to Lisbon, where her husband was sadly imprisoned and passed away. Caroline returned to France and kept writing and composing. She faced many challenges later in life and sadly passed away without a home in St. Cloud, France. She also used her married name, Aufdiener, and a pen name, Donna Elidora, for her works.
Musical Works
- Trois Sonates pour le clavecin avec violon et basse (Paris, 1785)
- Potpourri pour clavecin ou le forte piano, Op. 2 (published as Aufdiener)
- Six Romances avec accompagnement de piano, Op. 3 (as Aufdiener, Paris 1798)
- L'Heureuse erreur, ou La Suite de l'épreuve villageoise, opéra-comique (performed in Paris, 1786)
- Overture de L'Heureux stratagème (Paris, [1786])
- Le Trompeur trompé, "comédie mêlée d'ariettes", 3 acts (not performed)
Literary Works
- Angelina, a comedy (1782)
- Sophie, a comedy (performed at Variety Theatre, 1787)
- Zephyr and Flora, an opera in three acts (published Brussels, 1784)
- Esope au bal de l'Opéra, ou Tout Paris en miniature (Paris, 1802)
