Mme Delaval facts for kids
Adélaïde-Suzanne-Camille Larrivée, known as Mme. Delaval or Madame De La Valle, was a talented French musician. Born in Paris, France, on October 12, 1763, she became a skilled harpist, pianist, and composer. Her parents, Henri Larrivée and Marie-Jeanne Larrivée Lemière, were both opera singers.
Adélaïde had a sister named Agathe-Elisabeth-Henriette. While Agathe learned the violin, Adélaïde focused on the harp. Both sisters studied music with a famous teacher named Jean-Baptiste Krumpholtz. When their parents separated in 1767, the girls helped support their aunt and guardian, Elisabeth-Henriette Larrivée. They did this by traveling around France and performing concerts.
Life in London
On August 3, 1790, Adélaïde married Pierre Delaval in Lyon, France. Soon after, they moved to London, England, with Adélaïde's sister Agathe. This move happened during a big historical event called the French Revolution.
In London, Mme. Delaval continued her music career. She performed in concerts organized by Johann Peter Salomon at Hanover Square in 1790. She even played at the very first concert for the famous composer Joseph Haydn in 1792. Later, in 1796, she also performed for the Ashley family at concerts in Covent Garden. A modern harpist named Jessica Suchy-Pilalis has helped publish some of Mme. Delaval's musical works.
Musical Compositions
Mme. Delaval wrote many pieces of music, mostly for the harp. Her music was popular in Paris around the year 1800, fitting in with the "salon culture" where people gathered to enjoy art and music.
One special piece, her Op. 3, was written for her own daughter, Camila. Camila performed this music at Willis's Room in London when she was only seven years old! Mme. Delaval published a type of vocal music called a cantata, along with various harp pieces and French songs.
Some of her known works include:
- Les Adieux de l'infortuné Louis XVI à son peuple (a cantata)
- Prelude, Divertimento, and Waltz, Op. 3
- Three sonatas that could also include a violin
- A Grand sonata that could include a violin, tenor instrument, and cello
- Two sets of variations on musical themes
