Carlotta and Barbara Marchisio

A carte-de-visite portrait of the Italian soprano Carlotta Marchisio (1835-1872) with her sister, Barbara Marchisio (1833-1919). The two sisters often appeared together throughout their careers. According to one contemporary source, Rossini’s Sémiramis, first performed by the sisters at the Opéra on 10 July 1860, was their Paris début.

Carlotta is seen here dressed as the villainous Queen of Babylon, who at the start of the opera has already murdered her husband. Barbara is dressed as her son, Arsace, the commander of the Assyrian army.

Photographed by Disdéri of Paris.