CONTAT

contat, louise francoise (1760-1813), french actress, made her _debut_ at the comedie francaise in 1766 as atalide in _bajazet_. it was in comedy, however, that she made her first success, as suzanne in beaumarchais's _mariage de figaro_; and in several minor character parts, which she raised to the first importance, and as the soubrette in the plays of moliere and marivaux, she found opportunities exactly fitted to her talents. she retired in 1809 and married de parny, nephew of the poet. her sister marie emilie contat (1769-1846), an admirable soubrette, especially as the pert servant drawn by moliere and de regnard, made her _debut_ in 1784, and retired in 1815.