Barbara and Carlotta Marchisio by Bernoud (2)

Carlotta Marchisio (1835-1872); Italian soprano. She made her debut in 1856 at the Teatro Real de Madrid as Norma in Bellini's eponymous opera. She performed almost always together with her sister Barbara Marchisio. They were protégé's of Rossini and he wrote the Petit Messe Solennelle especially for their voices. She died early at the age of 36 while giving birth to her daughter Margherita. Ten days before her 9-year old son Giachino (named after Rossini) had died.

Barbara Marchisio (1833-1919); Italian contralto.She made her debut in 1856 at the Teatro Real de Madrid as Rosina in Rossini's "Barbiere di Siviglia". She performed almost always together with her sister Carlotta Marchisio. They were protégé's of Rossini and he wrote the Petit Messe Solennelle especially for their voices. After her sister's early death at the age of 36 she was occupied as a voice-teacher and her most famous pupils were Toti dal Monte and Rosa Raïsa.