ra shel', (1821-1858), a French tragic actress of Jewish parentage, whose real name was Elizabeth Rachel-Felix. For a time she gained her living by singing in the streets of Lyons, but her voice attracted attention, and she was enabled to receive a course of instruction at the conservatory. In 1837 she made her debut in Paris, but attained no special success until the following year, when she took the Parisian public by storm by the admirable manner in which she presented the plays of Racine and Corneille. Her renown continued to increase, and for many years she reigned supreme at the Theater Francais, making also tours to the provincial towns of France and to Belgium. Later she visited America. Rachel's greatest success was in the title role of Racine's Phedre, and it is doubtful whether her work in that part will ever be excelled on any stage.