Anne‑Benoîte‑Louise Lavoye (28 June 1823 – 10 October 1897) was a 19th‑century French soprano. Born in Dunkirk, she pursued her musical education at the Conservatoire de Lille, where she earned a first‑prize in piano at age eleven (1834), a first‑prize in vocalisation (1835), and an honorary piano prize (1836). She subsequently entered the Conservatoire royal de musique in Paris, studying under Laure Cinti‑Damoreau. There she achieved a series of distinctions: an honorary prize in harmony (1838), second prize in singing (1839), first prize in singing (1840), and first prize for opéra comique (1842).
Lavoye made her professional debut at the Opéra‑Comique in 1843, performing in Daniel‑François‑Esprit Auber’s L’Ambassadrice. She quickly became associated with the Parisian opéra‑comique repertoire, creating several leading roles. Notably, she originated the role of Zerbina in Auber’s La Sirène (26 March 1844) and Haydée in Auber’s Haydée ou Le Secret (28 December 1847). Her repertoire also included premieres of works by other composers, such as Halévy’s Les Mousquetaires de la reine and Le Val d’Andorre, Charpentier’s Actéon, and Boisselot’s Ne touchez pas à la reine. Contemporary accounts praised her for the purity and freshness of her voice, her virtuosity, and her ability to handle the most demanding roles in the French operatic canon. She was regarded as a prominent member of the Salle Favart troupe.
Louise Lavoye retired from the stage later in life and died in Paris on 10 October 1897. Her career contributed to the development of French opéra‑comique during a period of prolific operatic production.