Agathe Alexandrine Gavaudan, called Mme Raimbaux or Raimbaux-Gavaudan, (1801 – 19 April 1877) was a French operatic contralto.
Born in Paris, Gavaudan is the daughter of Jean-Baptiste-Sauveur Gavaudan and Alexandrine Marie Agathe Gavaudan-Ducamel.[1]
In 1820, she married Antoine François Victor Raimbaux (†1843) and they had two children.[2] She was a student of Manuel García.[3] She was first appreciated in the salons and in the concerts[4] with, among others, Maria Malibran.[5] In 1830, she performed in England[6] and in 1831, in London[7] In March 1831, she made her debut at the Théâtre italien de Paris in the role of Isabella in L'italiana in Algeri, which can only be sung by a true contralto.[8] then Rosine in The Barber of Seville[9] and in the La Cenerentola. She plays the role of Arsace, a little low for her, in Semiramide[10] in La Prova d'un opéra séria[1]
She played in Naples in 1833[11] where she obtained success. An illness forced her to return to Paris in 1834 where she gave singing lessons and sang in concerts.[12] François-Joseph Fétis ensures her collaboration for the historical concerts he gives in Paris.[1] She was hired at the Théâtre-Italien for the end of the 1835 season.[13]
At the Théâtre-Italien, on 23 January 1836, a benefit performance is given.[14] Shortly afterwards, Mrs. Raimbaux left the Italian scene.[1]
Raimbaux-Gavaudan, now a widow, married the poet Étienne Casimir Hippolyte Cordellier-Delanoue.[1]
Gavaudan died in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris[15] at the age of 68.