Blanche Pierson | |
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Born | Blanche Adeline Pierson May 10, 1842
Saint-Paul, Réunion |
Died | March 30, 1919
Paris, France | (aged 76)
Nationality | French |
Occupation | Theatre actress |
Blanche Adeline Pierson (10 May 1842 – 30 March 1919) [1]was a French actress most notably known for her portrayal of Marguerite Gautier in "The Lady of the Camellias".
Early Life
Born into a theatrical family, Blanche Pierson was surrounded by the arts from a young age. Her uncle, Numa, achieved notable success at the Théâtre du Gymnase, and her father, Hyppolite, was a comic actor and the stage manager at the Saint-Paul theatre. The theatre's decline led the family to relocate to France in 1847, where Hyppolite secured employment in a provincial theatre through his connection with playwright Victorien Sardou. This move marked the beginning of Blanche's exposure to the acting world.
Career Beginnings
Blanche Pierson began her acting career at the age of 11. As a young girl, she played ingenue roles in provincial theatres and in Brussels. At 14, she moved to Paris and joined the Théâtre de l'Ambigu, soon after moving to the Théâtre du Vaudeville. She was noted for her charm and beauty, particularly in roles like Anna in "Les Petites Mains" by Labiche and Martin, premiered on November 28, 1859.
Blanche later joined the Théâtre du Gymnase, where she remained until 1884. Initially, she played roles of ingénues and coquettes, such as Baby Patapouf in Meilhac's "Les Curieuses," Thérèse in "A Husband Who Launches His Wife" by Labiche and Raimond Deslandes (1864), Berthe in "Le Point de mire" by Labiche and Delacour (1864), Mariette in "Nos bons villageois" by Victorien Sardou (1866), and Agathe in Gondinet's "La Cravate blanche" (1867). [2]
Rise to Prominence
Blanche Pierson's talent soon became evident, and she improved rapidly through daily rehearsals. Memorable performances from this period include Claire in Gondinet's "Les Grandes Demoiselles" (1868), Marie de Frondeville in "Fanny Lear" by Meilhac and Halévy (1868), Baroness Brunner in "Le Monde où l'on s'amuse" by Édouard Pailleron (1868), and the Countess of Cambry in "Frou-Frou" by Meilhac and Halévy (1869).
Her career further blossomed with roles like Madame de Termonde in "La Princesse Georges" by Alexandre Dumas fils (1871) and Alice in "La Comtesse de Sommerive" (1872). Dumas himself praised her highly for her dedication and talent. [3]
Major Successes
In 1872, Pierson's portrayal of Marguerite Gautier in "The Lady of the Camellias" was critically acclaimed. Critics like Francisque Sarcey praised her passionate performance, which showcased her true acting abilities. She continued to find success in roles such as Andréa in Victorien Sardou's "Andréa" (1873) and Mademoiselle de Montaiglin in "Monsieur Alphonse" by Alexandre Dumas fils (1873). [4]
Later Career and Comédie-Française
In 1884, Pierson joined the Comédie-Française. She debuted as Madame de Thauzette in "Denise" by Alexandre Dumas fils. In 1886, she became the 313th member of the Comédie-Française, playing Elmire in Molière's "Tartuffe." [5]
Other notable roles included performances in "Odette" by Victorien Sardou (1881), "L'Amour brodé" by François de Curel (1893), and "Les affaires sont les affaires" by Octave Mirbeau (1903). She continued to perform in various productions until 1910, when she joined the theatre's reading committee.
Death
Blanche Pierson died of pneumonia in March 1919 at the age of 77. Throughout her career, she was known for her dedication to the theatre and her impressive range of performances.
Blanche Pierson | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Born | Blanche Adeline Pierson May 10, 1842
Saint-Paul, Réunion |
Died | March 30, 1919
Paris, France | (aged 76)
Nationality | French |
Occupation | Theatre actress |
Blanche Adeline Pierson (10 May 1842 – 30 March 1919) [1]was a French actress most notably known for her portrayal of Marguerite Gautier in "The Lady of the Camellias".
Early Life
Born into a theatrical family, Blanche Pierson was surrounded by the arts from a young age. Her uncle, Numa, achieved notable success at the Théâtre du Gymnase, and her father, Hyppolite, was a comic actor and the stage manager at the Saint-Paul theatre. The theatre's decline led the family to relocate to France in 1847, where Hyppolite secured employment in a provincial theatre through his connection with playwright Victorien Sardou. This move marked the beginning of Blanche's exposure to the acting world.
Career Beginnings
Blanche Pierson began her acting career at the age of 11. As a young girl, she played ingenue roles in provincial theatres and in Brussels. At 14, she moved to Paris and joined the Théâtre de l'Ambigu, soon after moving to the Théâtre du Vaudeville. She was noted for her charm and beauty, particularly in roles like Anna in "Les Petites Mains" by Labiche and Martin, premiered on November 28, 1859.
Blanche later joined the Théâtre du Gymnase, where she remained until 1884. Initially, she played roles of ingénues and coquettes, such as Baby Patapouf in Meilhac's "Les Curieuses," Thérèse in "A Husband Who Launches His Wife" by Labiche and Raimond Deslandes (1864), Berthe in "Le Point de mire" by Labiche and Delacour (1864), Mariette in "Nos bons villageois" by Victorien Sardou (1866), and Agathe in Gondinet's "La Cravate blanche" (1867). [2]
Rise to Prominence
Blanche Pierson's talent soon became evident, and she improved rapidly through daily rehearsals. Memorable performances from this period include Claire in Gondinet's "Les Grandes Demoiselles" (1868), Marie de Frondeville in "Fanny Lear" by Meilhac and Halévy (1868), Baroness Brunner in "Le Monde où l'on s'amuse" by Édouard Pailleron (1868), and the Countess of Cambry in "Frou-Frou" by Meilhac and Halévy (1869).
Her career further blossomed with roles like Madame de Termonde in "La Princesse Georges" by Alexandre Dumas fils (1871) and Alice in "La Comtesse de Sommerive" (1872). Dumas himself praised her highly for her dedication and talent. [3]
Major Successes
In 1872, Pierson's portrayal of Marguerite Gautier in "The Lady of the Camellias" was critically acclaimed. Critics like Francisque Sarcey praised her passionate performance, which showcased her true acting abilities. She continued to find success in roles such as Andréa in Victorien Sardou's "Andréa" (1873) and Mademoiselle de Montaiglin in "Monsieur Alphonse" by Alexandre Dumas fils (1873). [4]
Later Career and Comédie-Française
In 1884, Pierson joined the Comédie-Française. She debuted as Madame de Thauzette in "Denise" by Alexandre Dumas fils. In 1886, she became the 313th member of the Comédie-Française, playing Elmire in Molière's "Tartuffe." [5]
Other notable roles included performances in "Odette" by Victorien Sardou (1881), "L'Amour brodé" by François de Curel (1893), and "Les affaires sont les affaires" by Octave Mirbeau (1903). She continued to perform in various productions until 1910, when she joined the theatre's reading committee.
Death
Blanche Pierson died of pneumonia in March 1919 at the age of 77. Throughout her career, she was known for her dedication to the theatre and her impressive range of performances.