Later Queens of the French Stage

"Later Queens of the French Stage" by H. Noel Williams is a captivating biography that paints a portrait of women who shined brightly in the world of French theater. The story begins with Sophie Arnould, a gifted singer and actress, and shows her life from a young age to a star on the opera stage. The author recounts Arnould’s well-to-do upbringing and education. Later, it tells of her rise to fame, starting with singing in choirs and going on to perform for the royal court. Readers are shown the difficulties Arnould deals with related to how society expects women to act, as well as her complex relationships, especially her romance with Comte de Lauraguais. Her story is a glimpse into the glamorous and sometimes troubled world of French opera and drama.