b. Colette Lucie Raget, 1 November 1924, Ermont, Seine-et-Oise, France, d. 6 October 2010, Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse, France. After studying classical cello, Renard worked in various non-musical capacities, including becoming an administrative secretary for orchestra leader Raymond Legrand, whom she later married. She began singing and in 1956 played the lead in the first production of Irma La Douce, which was staged at Paris' Theatre Gramont. Renard continued playing this role through the late 50s and would return to it often in later years, Alexandre Breffort and Marguerite M...