Drawing by Madame Malibran

Pen and ink sketch, showing an unidentified figure, profile, head and shoulders, captioned 'by Madame Malibran, June 5th 1829, at the King's Theatre'.

Maria Malibran (1808 – 1836) was a mezzo-soprano who became one of the most famous opera singers of the 19th century. Born in Paris to a Spanish family, she is recorded as making her debut in 1825, having sung in the choir at the King's Theatre, London, from the age of 17. Malibran toured various venues in both London and Europe, returning to the King's Theatre in 1829, to perform in productions of Otello, Romeo e Giulietta and in the Barbiere di Siviglia. She died in 1836, having continued to perform despite being seriously injured when falling from a horse.