NILSSON, CHRISTINE ( 1843— 1. A Swedish soprano. She was born near Wexifi, and although her parents were in humble circum stances, she became proficient on the violin, learned the flute, and attended fairs and other places of public resort, at which she sang. ac companying herself on the violin. While per forming in this manner at a fair in Ljnngby in 1857, her voiee attracted the attention of F. G. Tornerhjem. who sent her to Stockholm, where she received instruction from Franz Ilerwald. She made her debut at Stockholm in 1860, and then went to Paris to continue her musical edu cation, under Masset and Wartel. hi 1864 she appeared at the Thatre Lyrique of Paris, as Violetta in La Tra rio to with such success that she was engaged for three years. She made her first appearance in London in 1867, where she imme diately became a favorite. In 1868 she sang the part of Ophelia in the opera /7anaet, by Ambroise Thomas, at the Grand op(-ra in Paris. During
the same year she sang in England at the Handel festival at the Crystal Palace. In 1870 she came to America, appearing in concerts and operas, and popularity Nvherever she was heard. She was married in 1872 to Auguste Rouzaud, a merchant of Paris. After leaving Saint Petersburg, where she had been very sue cessful, she returned to America with the Stra koseh Italian opera troupe. She also sang Elsa in Lohengrin, The death of her hus band in 1882, after she had retired from the operatic stage, caused her to return to it, hut her marriage to Count Miranda in 1887 brought about her permanent retirement in 1888. What her voice lacked in volume was compensated for in smoothness, sweetness, and evenness of tone.