This week, Stauney introduces us to the infamous and iconic Julie d'Aubigny. Also known as Mademoiselle Maupin, she was a remarkable figure in 17th-century France, celebrated for her exceptional talent as an opera singer and her prowess as a duelist. Stauney and Sadie discuss her young start to defying societal norms, mastering fencing, winning high-profile duels, and dressing in pants, and then dive deeply into her personal life, featuring daring romantic escapades, multiple affairs, and even joining a convent to rescue a lover (in which arson and faking death might have also been involved). Despite the chaos surrounding her, d'Aubigny achieved immense success on the stage of the Paris Opera, where her powerful contralto voice captivated audiences. Her legacy remains a testament to her fearless independence and extraordinary artistic abilities!

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