A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Cruvelli, Jeanne

by Julian Marshall

CRUVELLI, Jeanne Sophie Charlotte, whose family-name was Cruwell, was born March 12, 1826, at Bielefeld in Westphalia. Her father was fond of music, and played the trombone tolerably. Her mother, had a fine contralto voice, and sang with expression. She had a voice of admirable quality, compass, and truth, but did not receive the instruction which should have developed its advantages, and enabled her to avoid those faults and imperfections which are inevitable without it. She made her début at Venice in 1847, and the beauty of her voice ensured her a brilliant success, which was confirmed when she sang in Verdi's 'Attila' at the theatre of Udine on July 24, and in 'I Due Foscari.' Coming now to London, in the height of her fame, she Italianised her name, and became known as Cruvelli, on her appearance in 'Le Nozze di Figaro,' and ever after. The rôle of the Countess was not suited to her fiery style, nor was the comparison between her and Jenny Lind, who played Susanna, to her advantage. After this partial failure, she returned to Italy, and continued to earn success by the mere beauty of her organ, and even by the exaggeration of her dramatic effects. In 1851 she went to Paris, where she had sung in concerts before her first appearance in Italy. She appeared with immense success in 'Ernani' at the Theatre Italien, for Verdi's music seemed made for her. She sang again in London that year, and was very successful, in spite of many faults. Beside her splendid voice, she had a very fine face and figure, and enormous energy of accent and dramatic force: her performance in 'Fidelio' was especially admirable. In Jan. 1854 she was engaged at the Grand Opéra at Paris, and appeared as Valentine in 'Les Huguenots,' when the enthusiasm of the public knew no bounds. But a violent reaction soon succeeded, and the last opera in which she preserved some of her former popularity was the 'Vêpres Siciliennes' of Verdi. In this work she exercised the greatest control of voice and action: it was her last role. In the following winter she retired, and married the Comte Vigier.

[ J. M. ]