Let's wish a happy 201st birthday to the Maria Callas of the early nineteenth century: Maria Malibran was the prima diva who in many ways set the mold that Great Ladies of the Opera have followed ever since.

She crammed an epic of color and incident into her tragically short life (just 28 years), commanding ovations from audiences across Europe in a repertoire that included creating the title role in Donizetti's Maria Stuarda and a bouquet of Rossini heroines. From all accounts she was a vivid stage presence, and if this portrait is to be believed, a rather insinuating minx indeed.