Élisa Rachel Félix in the role of Roxane “Bajazet” by J. B. Racine.

Rachel in the role of Roxane “Bajazet” by Jean Baptiste Racine (1639-1699)

(Rachel dans le rôle de Roxane de “Bajazet” de Racine, lithographie de Devéria)

Élisa Rachel Félix (1821-1858) was a French-Jewish actress and was one of the greatest tragediennes in their time. Under the name of Mademoiselle Rachel she became famous throughout Europe. 

Legendary were her performances during the revolution of 1848, when she sang the Marseillaise night after night in the crowded Comédie Française (Théâtre de la République). Rachel applies in theater history as the great reformer of the performing arts. She is buried at the Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris.

Source: Costumes historiques de ville ou de théatre et travestissements. Author: Achille Devéria and José Domínguez Bécquer. Publisher Paris: Goupil et Vibert. Publisher London: Charles Tilt 1831-1839. Printed by: Lemercier & Cie.

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