““It was already past the middle of the theatrical season when two famous rivals arrived in London — Banti, who at that time was one of the most celebrated singers in serious opera, and Morichelli, equally acclaimed in comic opera. Neither of them was young anymore, and neither had ever been considered among the great beauties: but one was highly sought after and paid exorbitantly for the gift of a marvelous voice, the only one nature had given her; the other for her genuine, noble, thoughtful acting, full of expression and grace.””