Mademoiselle Duval (1718-after 1775) was a French composer, dancer, singer, and harpsichordist whose first name is unknown. Her 1736 ballet-héröique Les Génies, ou Les caractères de l’Amour was the second opera by a woman to be performed at the Paris Opéra. The work was performed nine times, and the music was received quite favorably. Desfontaines found some of the music “worthy of the harmony of J.P. Rameau’s Les Indes galantes.” Additionally, the Mercure de France of November 1736 reported that “It is easy to be persuaded by this work that Mlle Duval is a young person with much talent. [The opera] is varied and extremely well developed in many respects. In general, the recitatives were applauded, the scenes well treated, some violin airs and choruses well composed and quite lively.” Additionally, Duval was revered as a harpsichordist and played for all nine performances of her opera. The Mercure de galant recounted “To the astonishment and pleasure of the Public, this young person seated in the orchestra, accompanied her entire Opera from the Overture to the last Note.” Reports of her other performing activities are less conclusive, as Duval was a very common French name. It is possible that she was an actress and sang as a sailor in the prologue to J.B. de Boismortier’s Galatée. Another account stated that she performed for an extensive time at the Académie Royale de Musique and retired with a substantial pension.
Resources
Source
Anthony, James R. “Duval, Mlle.” Grove Music Online. 2001.
Works Featured on Expanding the Music Theory Canon
Prélude from Les Caractères de L’Amour, ou Les Génies
Excerpt
Page: Modulation, Suspensions
Air Leandre from Les Caractères de L’Amour, ou Les Génies
Excerpt
Page: Suspensions