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Marie Battu (1838–1888) was a French soprano. She is most notable for creating the role of Inès in Meyerbeer's French grand opera L'Africaine.
Training and career
Marie Battu was the daughter of the conductor Panteleon Battu and sister of Léon Battu, violinist, assistant conductor at the Paris Opera, and author of many operatic libretti and theatrical entertainments. She studied singing with Gilbert Duprez and made her debut at the Théâtre des Italiens in Paris in 1860, as Amina in Vincenzo Bellini's La sonnambula. She appeared in operas in London, Paris and Baden-Baden, in works by Verdi, Donizetti, Rossini and Meyerbeer. Marie Battu married Dominique Lablache, son of star operatic bass Luigi Lablache. She also gave many concerts in numerous European cities. In 1865 Marie Battu created the leading role of Inès in Meyerbeer's last and posthumous opera L'Africaine at the Paris Opera.