Jeanne Beauvais (1917 – 2007) was born in New York City. Relatively little is known about her early life except that her American born mother and French born father relocated the family to Paris shortly after World War I. Her father died a short time later and she and her mother returned to New York where Beauvais developed her talents as a classical singer. At the height of her career, she performed for troops stationed overseas, and in operettas, musicals and recitals. Notable performances include Rosalinda, which opened at the Imperial Theater in 1942, and Mr. Strauss goes to Boston, performed in 1945.
During the 1940s, Beauvais took up residence in the artists' studio situated above Carnegie Hall. In addition to performing, she also taught singing.
Widely considered a veteran Broadway performer, Jeanne Beauvais performed and socialized with many leading composers, actors and artists of the day, including Virgil Thomson, Ned Rorem and Leonard Bernstein. During the 1950s, she gained even greater attention for her successful efforts to preserve Carnegie Hall from impending demoliton. She revived her career during the 1970s when she appeared in The Boyfriend, a role she originated in 1958. She also performed with the Light Opera of Manhattan and the After-Dinner Opera Company.
Jeanne Beauvais died in New York City on July 17, 2007.
From the guide to the Beauvais, Jeanne, Collector. Scores, correspondence and other materials, A Finding Aid., c. 1943 - 1988:, (Eda Kuhn Loeb Music Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University)
