Madame Catalani in Semiramide her first appearance in England, Decr. 13th, 1806 / [graphic]

"The famous soprano advances trippingly towards the spectator, head turned in profile to the right, left arm extended as if beckoning, a handkerchief in her right hand. She wears a gold fillet in her hair from which hang draperies, falling over her left arm, a dress with a double tunic, and a long train or mantle with tasselled ends flung over her shoulder and looped under her gold belt. All her quasi-barbaric draperies are heavily embroidered with gold. She has long rucked transparent sleeves. ... Not a caricature."--British Museum online catalogue