Marie Champmeslé facts for kids
Marie Champmeslé (born Desmares, on February 18, 1642 – died May 15, 1698) was a well-known French stage actress. She was celebrated for her powerful performances in serious plays.
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Her Life as an Actress
Marie Champmeslé was born in Rouen, France, into a wealthy family. Her father's last name was Desmares. She began her acting career in Rouen with Charles Chevillet Champmeslé. They got married in 1666.
Moving to Paris Theaters
By 1669, Marie and Charles were performing in Paris at the Theatre du Marais. Her first big role there was as Venus in a play called Fête de Vénus. The very next year, she became famous for her role as Hermione in Jean Racine's play Andromaque at the Hotel de Bourgogne.
Working with Racine
Marie Champmeslé became very close with the famous playwright Jean Racine around this time. He wrote some of his best sad plays, known as tragedies, especially for her. However, she didn't only act in his plays. She also performed in many other plays, even some that weren't considered very good, like Thomas Corneille's Ariane and Comte d'Essex. Her natural acting style and her ability to show deep sadness for unlucky heroines made these plays successful. Her performance in Racine's play Phèdre was considered her greatest achievement.
Joining the Comédie-Française
Marie and her husband later left the Hotel de Bourgogne to join the Théâtre Guénégaud. When this acting company joined with others to form the new Comédie-Française, Marie's famous play Phaedre was chosen for the opening night on August 26, 1680. At the Comédie-Française, she played the main sad love roles for over thirty years. She performed alongside Madame Guerin, who was the lead actress for funny plays.
Famous Roles and Later Life
During her career, "La Champmeslé," as she was known, created many famous characters. Besides the ones already mentioned, she played roles like Bérénice, Ariane, Atalide in Bajazet, Monime in Mithridate, and Iphigénie in Iphigénie en Aulide. She also played the same character in Oreste et Pylade. Marie Champmeslé left the stage to try and get better from an illness in Anteuil, where she later passed away.
The writer La Fontaine dedicated his story Belphegor to her. Also, the poet Boileau wrote about her in his poems, making her famous forever.
Her Family
- Her husband, Charles Champmeslé, was also a talented actor and writer of plays.
- Her brother, Nicolas Desmares (around 1650–1714), was an actor too.
- Her niece, Christine Antoinette Charlotte Desmares (1682–1753), also became an actress.
See also
In Spanish: Marie Desmares para niños
