2-995-631 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Sisters Marchisio, as "Semiramide" and "Arsace", at the Grand Opera, Paris, 1860. Singers '...in Rossini's most gorgeous opera...Mdlle. Barbara, the contralto, first made her début at Madrid. Mdlle. Carlotta, the soprano, had not at that time decided whether she should follow the same career...the true strength and success of these two singers lies in their union. Their voices blend so finely that, when heard together, they seem to be but one...Mdlle. Carlotta...sang the cavatina 'Bel raggio' beautifully, and, according to the Italian fashion, was immediately recalled. Her voice, of a charming quality, of perfect flexibility, of singular freshness and purity, rises without effort to the highest region of the scale, while her low and middle notes are not deficient either in sweetness or brilliancy...Mdlle. Barbara...declaimed the celebrated recitative, 'Eccomi alfin in Babilonia,' with excellent accentuation...At the succeeding performances their success has been still more brilliant and complete. We may add, that "Semiramide," since its production in July, keeps exclusive possession of the Grand Opera stage, and that the Parisian public crowd nightly to hear and see these charming sisters with unabated curiosity and interest'. From "Illustrated London News", 1860.